The Psychology of Embezzlement The Art of Control and Intervention

Using recent research and case studies, this book offers an evidence-based insight into the embezzler’s mindset as they commit crimes that are costing nations, organisations and individuals increasingly more each year. This mindset is described in detail as the embezzler develops their motivation to steal from their employer, finds a method of stealing, assesses the risks, executes the theft, and then determines whether to continue to steal.  The organisational landscape of security capabilities, culture and financial circumstances provide the environment that this mindset operates within.  The embezzler’s approach to the crime is broken down into four stages: Pre-Existing Vulnerabilities, Induction to First Theft, Ongoing Theft and Detection to Resolution. The author recommends strategies based on the embezzler’s mindset for organisations to enhance their ability to protect themselves from such inside threats that attack their reputation, productivity, morale and, in the worst cases, financial viability.

Chapter 1: The Cost of Inaction

Chapter 2: The Offender Mindset

Chapter 3: Pre-Existing Vulnerabilities

Chapter 4: Why do I need the funds?

Chapter 5: How could I steal from the organisation?

Chapter 6: What are the risks if I do steal from the organisation?

Chapter 7: Am I really going to do this?

Chapter 8: What will the organisation do now that I have offended?

Chapter 9: Do I have the same reason to steal as before?

Chapter 10: How do I continue to steal?

Chapter 11: Why is this feeling more difficult than before?

Chapter 12: How many near misses can I survive?

Chapter 13: Do I keep going, stop or admit my crime?

Chapter 14: How much do they know?

Chapter 15: How can I reduce the consequences for myself and others?

Chapter 16: How does an organisation block, deter, and detect offenders

David Curnow, PhD., is affiliated with the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science at Swinburne University, Australia. He has worked as a Forensic Psychologist for over 20 years in prisons, private practice and consultancy. He was appointed to the state Parole Board in 2014 and has also served on the Standards Australia review of Fraud Control Standards. He gained his doctorate in 2011.