Think like a fraudster to catch a fraudster : exploring the use of storytelling to deter fraud

Abstract

The increasing complexity in fraud tactics necessitate that anti-fraud practitioners adopt creative thinking methods to outsmart fraudsters. Creative thinking can be used malevolently in fraud, such as, building trust, exploiting emotions, impersonating. Conversely, anti-fraud practitioners can use it benevolently to prevent and detect fraud by: ‘Learning to think like a fraudster to catch a fraudster’ (Kremers, 2023). An extant review of the literature within the theoretical framework, grounded in Creativity and Possibility Studies, reveals a research gap concerning how the application of Possibility Thinking (PT), mobilised by storytelling, can facilitate the creative process for anti-fraud practitioners both in training and practice. Specifically, this gap relates to how these methods may aid in deterring fraud in the context of EU funding. The study addresses this gap by answering the research question: How does the application of PT and the use of storytelling facilitate the creative process for anti-fraud practitioners? Employing a qualitative research methodology, the study analyses data from semi-structured interviews with twelve anti-fraud practitioners and two trainers, supported by thematic analysis. The findings designate creativity as a foundational pillar, recognise PT as a skill, and underline storytelling’s universality to secure audience-centric engagement. The findings suggest that both PT and storytelling create dynamic possibility spaces (Glăveanu, 2023), which expand cognitive flexibility and equip practitioners to identify and respond to a broader spectrum of fraud scenarios with innovative strategies. These insights and benefits align creative thinking modes in the conceptual model highlighting their synergy with systematic anti-fraud methods. Recommendations for future research include exploring a mixed-methods approach that utilises quantitative data, examining PT and storytelling in various cultural and regulatory environments, and investigating the interactions between different affordances. Recommendations for future practice include expanding the deliberate use of these techniques across various fraud contexts and continuously refining them as fraud schemes evolve should foster corporate culture that champions creativity.