Think like a fraudster to catch a fraudster : exploring the use of storytelling to deter fraud

Abstract

As fraud tactics grow increasingly complex, there is a pressing need for the use of creative thinking methods to outsmart fraudsters. This study addresses a research gap by investigating how Possibility Thinking (PT) and storytelling can facilitate the creative process required to "think like a fraudster" and, in doing so, deter fraud. The concept of Possibility Spaces (Glăveanu, 2023), is mobilised through storytelling in this study to foster transformative and innovative approaches to fraud detection. The research is structured around a primary question: How does the application of PT, combined with storytelling, enhance the creative process for anti-fraud practitioners? This is supported by two sub-questions: How can PT be applied by practitioners to mirror the creative tactics employed by fraudsters? How might storytelling enhance practitioners' capacity to detect fraudulent activities? Using a qualitative methodology, the study analyses data from fourteen semi-structured interviews with anti-fraud practitioners and trainers. Thematic analysis was used to explore their practical application in real-world settings. The findings suggest that both PT and storytelling create dynamic Possibility Spaces, which expand cognitive flexibility and equip practitioners to identify and respond to a broader spectrum of fraud scenarios with innovative strategies. These insights align with creative thinking models and highlight their synergy with systematic anti-fraud methods. It was concluded that deliberately using possibility spaces by integrating PT and storytelling into fraud prevention strategies offers significant benefits. These methods not only foster a proactive stance against fraud but also enhance practitioners' engagement, cognitive adaptability, and analytical skills. Recommendations for future practice include broadening the application of these techniques across diverse fraud prevention contexts and further refining them as fraud schemes continue to evolve.