International Public Sector Fraud Forum guidance

International collaboration

The International Public Sector Fraud Forum (IPSFF) brings together experts working to combat public sector fraud from across the Five Eyes intelligence alliance (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and United States). It is chaired by representatives from the United Kingdom. 

The collective aim of the Forum is to come together to share best and leading practice in fraud management and control across public borders.  

The Forum is underpinned by five principles for combatting public sector fraud:

1. There is always going to be fraud: It is a fact that some individuals will look to make gains where there is opportunity, and organisations need robust processes in place to prevent, detect and respond to fraud and corruption.
2. Finding fraud is a good thing: If you don’t find fraud you can’t fight it. This requires a change in perspective so the identification of fraud is viewed as a positive and proactive achievement.
3. There is no one solution: Addressing fraud needs a holistic response incorporating detection, prevention and redress, underpinned by a strong understanding of risk. It also requires cooperation between organisations under a spirit of collaboration.
4. Fraud and corruption are ever changing: Fraud, and counter fraud practices, evolve very quickly and organisations must be agile and change their approach to deal with these evolutions
5. Prevention is the most effective way to address fraud and corruption: Preventing fraud through effective counter fraud practices reduces loss and reputational damage. It also requires less resources than an approach focused on detection and recovery.