Legal and Financial Forensics: Detecting Corporate Fraud and White-Collar Crimes
Course Overview
This course offers an interdisciplinary exploration of legal frameworks, financial analysis, corporate governance, fraud detection, and forensic investigation practices. It prepares students for careers in compliance, legal consulting, auditing, risk management, and forensic accounting.
Syllabus
- Definition and Evolution of White-Collar Crime
- Types of Corporate Frauds: Embezzlement, Insider Trading, Misrepresentation, Cyber Frauds
- Key Indian and Global Corporate Scandals
- Indian Laws: IPC, Companies Act, SEBI Regulations, Prevention of Corruption Act, PMLA
- International Laws: Sarbanes-Oxley Act (USA), UK Bribery Act
- Role of Enforcement Agencies (ED, SFIO, SEBI, CBI)
- Basics of Balance Sheet, Profit and Loss Account, and Cash Flow Statements
- Red Flags in Financial Reporting
- Window Dressing Techniques
- Forensic Auditing Techniques
- Digital Forensics: Tracing Financial Transactions Online
- Interviewing and Interrogation Techniques
- Principles of Good Governance
- Role of Board of Directors, Audit Committees, and Compliance Officers
- Whistleblower Protection Laws and Policies
- Conducting Internal Investigations
- Drafting Investigation Reports
- Legal Admissibility of Digital Evidence
- Cyber Security Basics for Businesses
- Hacking, Phishing, Identity Theft in Corporate Setup
- Legal Remedies for Cybercrimes under IT Act, 2000
- Case Studies: Satyam, Enron, IL&FS, PNB Scam, Wirecard
- Mock Investigation Activity
- Drafting a Corporate Compliance Manual
Eligibility:
Open to students pursuing LL.B, BBA LL.B, BBA, B.Com, MBA, and allied fields.
Assessment
- Quiz after every 2 modules
- Group Presentation (Case Analysis)
- Final MCQ Test
- Certificate awarded based on minimum 60% performance
Value Additions (Optional Enhancements):
- Guest Lecture by Corporate Lawyer / Compliance Officer
- Certificate Co-Signed by University and SADA Law House
- Career Guidance Session on Forensic Law, Risk Consulting, and Compliance Jobs
- Certificate of Completion
- Practical Templates: Investigation Report Format, Compliance Policy Sample
- E-Booklet on Corporate Frauds and Prevention Techniques
FAQ
Answers to some common questions
Law students will love it because it involves corporate law, financial crimes, compliance, and criminal law.
BBA, B.Com, and MBA students will find it extremely relevant because it relates to business ethics, risk management, auditing, corporate governance, and fraud detection.
This course aims to equip students with the legal and financial tools to detect, investigate, and analyze corporate fraud and white-collar crimes. It combines principles of forensic accounting, corporate law, and investigative techniques.
Basic understanding of corporate structure or financial/legal systems is helpful, but not mandatory. The course begins with foundational concepts.
Students may pursue roles such as:
- Forensic accountant
- Compliance officer
- Corporate fraud investigator
- Legal consultant in financial crimes
- Internal auditor or risk analyst
Evaluation includes:
- One written/project assignment
- A final MCQ test
- Class participation and attendance
