Fraud Prevention During the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games (From Fraud Prevention and Control, P 1-8, 2000, Australian Institute of Criminology -- See NCJ-186569)

• NCJ Number: 186580
• Author(s): Lisa Simone
• Date Published: January 2001
• Length: 8 pages
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Criminology
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: Australia
• Note: Paper presented at the Fraud Prevention and Control Conference convened by the Australian Institute of Criminology on August 24-25, 2000.

Annotation

This paper outlines some key vulnerabilities and risks for fraud at the Sydney (Australia) 2000 Olympics, followed by suggested risk-management strategies.

Abstract

The Olympics bring a range of fraud opportunities because of the following vulnerabilities: high volume of transactions, a large number of visitors from around the world, and the perceived relaxation of border controls. In addition, Australia has a number of unique vulnerabilities that enhance the risks associated with credit card fraud. These include a substantial economic downturn in the region, the multicultural nature of the population, the perceived affluence of the Australian economy, the existence of establish criminal networks in Sydney, and the country's proximity to the credit card counterfeiting centers in Southeast Asia. The fraud activities that are organized, well-executed, and conducted on a large scale pose the greatest threat. The fraud methods most likely to be used during the Sydney Olympics are credit card counterfeiting, false applications/identity theft, and lost/stolen credit cards. Some risk-management strategies for countering such fraud are increased intelligence sharing and fraud monitoring; the education of merchants, cardholders, and sales staff in prevention tactics; enhanced credit card fraud legislation; and the use of technology to develop a new system of obtaining credit card information and identification.