Fraud in the banking industry: a case study of Kenya

Fraud has become a worldwide problem that is not set to abate in the near future. It is eroding the profitability of organisations with devastating effects on firm solvency. This research aims to contribute to the knowledge and understanding of fraud in Kenya’s financial institutions and focuses on the Kenyan banking industry, which includes forty three commercial banks of local, national, regional and international standing. The research conducted uses a theoretical framework based on the Fraud Triangle to analyse the incidence of fraud and the motivations of fraudsters. The research uses a sample of audit, fraud, security and other managers involved in fraud fighting from thirty banks across the industry to conduct a mixed qualitative and quantitative study based on a survey of sixty respondents and seventeen semi-structured interviews. The research found that fraud is considered to be a major problem within the Kenyan banking industry, although the relative size of frauds conducted was relatively small and unsophisticated. Fraud detection and prevention methods used in the industry were standard and no different from global standards. The fraud triangle worked effectively to predict the patterns of fraud described by respondents. However from this study it is argued that the Fraud Triangle is not as effective in explaining the collusive and predatory nature of the Kenyan bank fraudster.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

phd

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Nottingham Trent University

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• Akelola, S

Language dc:language

en