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Ponzi Scheme

Date 14 August, 2017

Background

Our firm was engaged by a law firm whose client, an insurance company, was being sued by a financial institution with respect to a fidelity insurance policy.  A customer of the bank allegedly carried out a $6 billion Ponzi scheme, with the involvement of three senior employees of the bank.  The insurer declined to pay the bank’s claim under their fidelity policy due to certain exclusions.

Background
Background

MDD’s Involvement

Our firm was retained to perform a forensic audit of the bank accounts that were used to carry out the Ponzi scheme, and prepare a source and use of funds analysis to identify which funds came from investors who unknowingly participated in the scheme by issuing checks to the alleged fraudster.

Based on our analysis, our firm was able to identify which bank accounts were used as part of the fraud scheme.  We were also able to verify the losses that were claimed by the investors based on copies of cancelled checks and by analyzing the bank statements and determining that the funds were not used to purchase legitimate investments, as the investors had originally been led to believe.

MDD’s Involvement

Results

Our report also identified missing documentation that would be required in order to perform a more detailed analysis of the funds passing into and out of each bank account.  Due to the size of the loss and the complicated method used to carry out the Ponzi scheme, we arranged a meeting with our client in person to go through the report and schedules in detail.  This helped to ensure that our client developed a strong understanding of the work that was performed, and the approach / methodology used.

The statements or comments contained within this article are based on the author’s own knowledge and experience and do not necessarily represent those of the firm, other partners, our clients, or other business partners.

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