Episodes

  • Salvage Fraud: The Hidden Scam Draining Millions from Businesses
    Aug 18 2025

    Most companies focus on big-ticket fraud like inflated claims, forged invoices, or staged accidents. But there’s another form of fraud quietly eating away at profits: salvage fraud.

    In this episode, Dave Oswald breaks down: What salvage fraud is and why it often goes unnoticed Real-world examples including how a car “disappeared” from inventory The loophole that makes “destroy to dispose” an open door for fraud How retailers, insurers, manufacturers, and logistics firms are all at risk Practical steps to detect and prevent losses

    💡 Key insight: Fraud doesn’t always show up in the numbers. Sometimes, it walks right out the door disguised as “worthless” returns.

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    13 mins
  • The F (Fraud) Word | Divorce, Deception & Hidden Assets
    Jun 14 2025

    Divorce isn’t just about broken hearts - it’s about broken trust, hidden money, and financial deception.

    In this episode, Dave Oswald, a seasoned forensic accountant with over 30 years of experience, unpacks the financial realities behind divorce that most people never see.

    Dave shares real-world insights into:

    • How hidden bank accounts and altered financials get uncovered

    • Why business valuations are often manipulated during divorce

    • The emotional triggers that lead to financial dishonesty

    • What stay-at-home spouses must know about financial safety nets

    • And how Bitcoin and cash-heavy businesses are used to conceal assets

    🔎 With three decades of uncovering fraud, Dave doesn’t just spot red flags—he explains them.

    If you're a lawyer, navigating a divorce yourself, or simply interested in financial investigations, this episode offers rare access to the mind of an expert who’s seen it all.

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    19 mins
  • Fraud Risk Assessment: Insights from a Forensic Expert | Dave Oswald on Spotting Red Flags Early
    Jun 5 2025

    In this episode, renowned forensic accountant Dave Oswald shares expert insights into fraud risk assessments—a crucial process for identifying and stopping financial threats before they happen. With over 30 years of experience uncovering complex fraud schemes, Dave reveals what most organizations miss—and how you can build a stronger, fraud-resilient business.

    Learn:

    ✅ What a fraud risk assessment really involves

    ✅ Where most companies go wrong

    ✅ Real-life fraud cases and how they were uncovered

    ✅ Practical strategies to protect your business

    ✅ Dave’s expert advice for financial leaders and legal teams

    This episode is a must-watch for executives, CEOs, lawyers, and finance professionals who want to strengthen their internal controls and protect what matters most. 🔔 Subscribe for more expert-led conversations on fraud prevention, forensic accounting, and corporate risk.

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    20 mins
  • Uncovering the Blind Spots – Why Every Business Needs a Fraud Risk Assessment
    Jun 2 2025

    In this insightful episode of The Deceptive CFO, Dave Oswald unpacks the critical role of fraud risk assessments in today’s business landscape. From overlooked management fraud to industry-specific threats, Dave explains why understanding your organization’s vulnerabilities is key to prevention—not just detection.

    Using compelling real-life examples, including cases from family-owned businesses, Dave illustrates how hidden risks come to light and offers practical steps for getting started with your own assessment.

    If you think fraud couldn’t happen to you, think again.

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    20 mins
  • Unraveling the Wirecard Scandal: Fraud, Failure, and the Fall of a Fintech Giant
    May 21 2025

    In this episode, we dive deep into the Wirecard scandal—once a shining star in the fintech world, now a case study in corporate failure. We explore how investigative journalists exposed a multi-billion-euro fraud that auditors and regulators failed to catch. From shady business origins to the role of key figures like Jan Marsalek, we unpack the shocking simplicity of the deception and its devastating implications for corporate governance, regulatory oversight, and public trust in financial systems. This conversation is a stark reminder of the need for ethical leadership and accountability in a tech-driven world.

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    26 mins
  • Tariffs, Tricks & Traps: Uncovering Fraud in a Shifting Trade Landscape
    May 14 2025

    In this episode, forensic accounting expert Dave Oswald breaks down how recent tariff changes are creating new opportunities—not just for global trade, but for fraud. From misclassification schemes to false invoicing and supply chain deception, Dave unpacks the hidden risks businesses face in a volatile tariff environment. Whether you're in finance, compliance, or leadership, this conversation will arm you with the insights you need to stay one step ahead.

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    14 mins
  • The F Word | Procurement Fraud: When the Inside Job Hits Your Bottom Line
    May 11 2025
    Procurement Fraud — one of the most overlooked and costly types of financial deception — and it’s often committed from inside your organization. In the latest episode of The *F Word (Fraud)*, forensic expert Dave Oswald breaks down: * What procurement fraud actually looks like * How kickbacks, inflated invoices, and fake vendors slip through * The red flags your systems might be missing * A real (anonymized) case Dave investigated — and what it cost * What lawyers, CEOs, and finance teams can do to protect themselves
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    1 min
  • The F (Fraud) Word | Burloak’s $177M Price Tag – What They’re Not Telling You
    Jan 30 2025

    Oakville, we need to talk.

    How does $177 million disappear into a single underpass? What if that money could’ve funded school meals for 354,000 kids, bought 67 Lamborghinis, or even built real, meaningful infrastructure?

    🎙️ The F Word isn’t just another podcast. It’s a call for accountability.

    Transparency starts with asking questions. Will you join the conversation?

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    5 mins