Corruption indicators
This list is not exhaustive and the ingenuity of those involved in corruption knows no bounds! You should beware of:
- Abnormal cash payments
- Pressure exerted for payments to be made urgently or ahead of schedule
- Payments being made through 3rd party country, eg. goods or services supplied to country 'A' but payment is being made, usually to shell company in country 'B'
- Abnormally high commission percentage being paid to a particular agency. This may be split into 2 accounts for the same agent, often in different jurisdictions
- Private meetings with public contractors or companies hoping to tender for contracts
- Lavish gifts being received
- Individual never takes time off even if ill, or holidays, or insists on dealing with specific contractors him/herself
- Making unexpected or illogical decisions accepting projects or contracts
- Unusually smooth process of cases where individual does not have the expected level of knowledge or expertise
- Abusing decision process or delegated powers in specific cases
- Agreeing contracts not favourable to the organisation either with terms or time period
- Unexplained preference for certain contractors during tendering period
- Avoidance of independent checks on tendering or contracting processes
- Raising barriers around specific roles or departments which are key in the tendering/contracting process
- Bypassing normal tendering/contractors procedure
- Invoices being agreed in excess of contract without reasonable cause
- Missing documents or records regarding meetings or decisions
- Company procedures or guidelines not being followed
- The payment of, or making funds available for high value expenses or school fees etc on behalf of others.
via sfo.gov.uk