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Protection From White Collar Crime

Posted on: November 7th, 2019 by shiv No Comments

Henry Ford, the genius entrepreneur of the last century, described his idea of doing business in a simple manner. “A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business”, he said and the behemoths of the financial world, both in India and abroad, had realised this statement to be true. Instead of short term goals and quick profits, a sound corporate philosophy, internal transparency and ethical practises make a venture successful in the long run. All the modern day business empires have ensured this vital internal health of their companies through an exhaustive grid of checks, audits and supervision but there always have been those who have been able to slip through the cracks in the system.

Corporate fraud has been an old enemy of every business house and in India where the economy has been growing rapidly in the last few years has reported a growing number of such cases not only raising anxiety in the mind of investors but also affecting the company’s reputation, confidence and its profit. In the past few years, the spate of crimes uncovered in the financial, banking and insurance sector shows some disturbing trends.

The biggest corporate fraud so far has been the one which shook Satyam Computer Services Limited, a scandal that caused loss to the investors to the tune of Rs.14,162 crore. The fraud was perpetrated by inflating the revenue of the company through false sales Protection From White Collar Crime Crime Insurance Corporate fraud has been an old enemy of every business house and in India where the economy has been growing rapidly in the last few years has reported a growing number of such cases not only raising anxiety in the mind of investors but also affecting the company’s reputation, confidence and its profit. In the past few years, the spate of crimes uncovered in the financial, banking and insurance sector shows some disturbing trends. Optima Insurance Brokers invoices and showing corresponding gains by forging the bank statements with the collusion of the statutory and internal auditors of the company. When the primary accused confessed to India’s biggest corporate fraud, Mahindra Satyam, formerly Satyam Computer Services, lost almost 25-30% revenue between January 7 and April 13, 2009- a shock that not many other firms would have been able to bear.

In another recent scandal saw a former managing director and chief operating officer of Reebok India being accused of setting up secret warehouses of stolen products in Delhi, fudging accounts and making fictitious sales causing a loss of Rs870 crore to the company. In the retail sector too, wellknown companies such as the kidswear brand Lilliput and grocery chain Subhiksha have also faced serious cases of accounting fraud.

Even financial powerhouses are susceptible to these crimes as seen by the case of a former relationship manager of Citigroup Wealth Management who had allegedly diverted funds to the tune of over Rs300 crore from customers and noncustomers of Citibank into personal accounts and had been investing in the equities market for over a year, before he was arrested in December 2010.

Since corporates do not like to report frauds for the fear of loss of reputation the exact amount of losses that corporate India faces is not clearly discernable. However, a latest report by Ernst & Young claims that the cumulative effect of the different types of frauds in the Indian economy in the last fiscal have caused losses amounting to a staggering Rs 6,600 crore. Around 63% of the total fraud cases in FY12 were reported in the financial services sector alone, banks being the most common victim of frauds followed by insurance and mutual fund companies. Earlier this year another study by a Pune-based company Indiaforensic claim Indian insurance companies have borne a loss of over Rs30,000 crore in 2011 due to different kinds of frauds. According to the first edition of Ernst & Young’s Fraud Indicators in India, the magnitude of frauds in the second half of FY2012 increased by 36% over the first half while the number of frauds rose by a mere 8% during the same period signalling that while the criminals may not be increasing in hordes but are certainly getting a lot smarter. In the recent Deloitte’s Banking Fraud Survey 2012, 83% respondents have indicated that fraud incidents will increase with 64% respondents indicating that the increase will be between 6-25%.

So, how do corporates deal with this menace? Since there is no way to completely eliminate frauds from the system, a robust corporate culture and institutionalised internal controls do act as a passive deterrent. Of the more active measures a company can take for insulation from the financial shockwaves of a major fraud is through the right kind of crime insurance. These insurance policies covers loss from frauds perpetuated both employees and third parties and are vital for the sustenance of not only major, multinational corporations but also smaller domestic businesses.

The threat of a financial fraud would be much more for a small scale, independent commercial venture but the awareness level of Indian businessmen and managemnts about these policies is severely limited thereby exposing them to the serious ramifications of any perpetrated crimes.

A crime insurance policy protects employers from dishonest acts of employees and provides cover for direct financial loss of money, securities and property.

A lifeline in case of such eventualities, the policy coverage includes theft, disappearance and destruction, and a multitude of fraudulent acts which include forgery or counterfeiting of money & securities, fraudulent alteration of payment instructions, fraudulent use of corporate credit or debit card, Computer fraud and fund transfer fraud. Any action of a devious employee that earns him a benefit at the cost of monetary loss to his company is guarded against effectively by these policies.

The policy also covers a very wide spectrum of people including part-time or temporary employees, students or volunteers under the insured’s supervision, trustees, fiduciaries or an administrator of any plan or project.

In the modern global scenario of connected networks and threat of database hacking by anonymous cyber criminals, the policy can be customised to a great extent and can cover frauds perpetuated by not only employees but also third parties and unidentifiable employees. However, it would also serve the employer well to understand the certain grey areas where standard crime insurance doesn’t extend its cover. The insurance would not be able to come to your rescue if the accused employee’s actions have not earned him a financial benefit and has caused only consequential loss (i.e. delay or loss of future trading) and not direct financial loss to the company. Similarly, even in the case of direct financial loss to the company, if the malicious intent of the employee is not proved and he doesn’t make a direct benefit himself, the policy cover doesn’t apply. Also, proprietary information, trade secrets and intellectual property loss are not covered under the standard crime insurance policy and any corporation desirous of guarding against these singular threats must ask their insurers to design a more customized policy to suit their needs. Crime insurance policies are the last line of defense of any business entity against an attack from within.

They lend longevity to a business by enhancing its survivability and are thus a vital component of any operational philosophy governing


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Consequential Loss Insurance – II

Posted on: November 7th, 2019 by shiv No Comments

Carrying our mission forward to present the above Loss of Profit insurance (as it is normally called) in the simplest form, we give you a fair idea of some of the important terms being frequently used in this insurance.

Property Damage Proviso

This provides that there should be a property insurance policy in force and also the property damage insurer have paid or at least admitted liability for the said property damage. The reasons for the introduction of this provision are not far to seek. Firstly, it is not difficult to understand that instead of incorporating the terms or warranties related to Property damage insurance in consequential loss policy; it is much better to have this proviso for fulfillment of the same terms and conditions. Secondly, it is more convenient to have one investigation done for the cause of damage rather than have two separate ones which may lead to

complexities and last but not the least, it is significant for consequential loss insurers to know monies would be available from property damage insurers to enable the insured to speedily reinstate the property thus minimizing the interruption of business.

Adjustment Clause

This makes the consequential loss policy calculate the real indemnity in the truest sense. This also silences the critics of insurance policies that insurers are not rising to the occasion for industry and trade. It is done by incorporating the following wordings. The wordings are explained at length with suitable example.

(1) The trend of the business

In case the business in question was showing a rising turnover just prior to the fire, the insured should be duly compensated for that trend. Vice-Versa, in case the trend was declining, the true indemnity theory should account for that as well. While calculating the rate of gross profit, it would be therefore essential to accordingly make adjustments. An illustration to this effect would clarify the situation:

It would be therefore be seen that in an upward trend there is an under insurance and in a down ward trend, there is an over insurance. Therefore, care should be taken in selecting and evaluating the sum insured depending upon the correct trend as far as possible.

(2) Variations and Special Circumstances

If no definite trend is available from the books of accounts or some positive trend which has recently happened, then there workings enable the insurer to accordingly adjust for such a trend.

For example, if a firm has just completed installation of additional improved machinery, and it can be shown that, but for the fire, substantially increased turnover would have resulted, and that stocks of raw materials would have been available, and that sale of increased quantity of finished goods could have been achieved then, on the assumption of an adequate insurance to cover the greatly enhanced gross profit anticipated, the company will indemnity the insured accordingly, by operating the adjustment clause to allow for the variation from pre fire trading.

We now give below the steps that are prescribed for calculating the amount payable for a loss in the under mentioned chronological sequence:


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Consequential Loss Insurance (Fire) or Loss of Profit Insurance

Posted on: November 7th, 2019 by shiv No Comments

As in the past in our knowledge series, we shall endeavor to present the above insurance in the simplest possible way with a view to elicit interest and also to exemplify its importance.

As in the past in our knowledge series, we shall endeavor to present the above insurance in the simplest possible way with a view to elicit interest and also to exemplify its importance.

When a fire occurs at premises used for the purpose of conducting a business, whether industrial, mercantile or Professional, the owner of the business will usually be insured against damage to his property by fire etc and will in due course be able to recover his material loss. With the proceeds of his claim he can, in time, replace his lost or damaged property and resume his business but, until this can be done, the profits which he was previously earning will have ceased, wholly or in part.

In addition, there will almost certainly be fixed expenses arising from the business e.q. salaries, rent, municipal taxes, which be will have to continue to meet, even if his profits have entirely vanished.

Faced with the situation, he may find means to reduce or even eliminate the loss of his profits but this will call for expenditure perhaps substantial – which he may not have the funds to meet. It is to meet this situation that loss of profits insurance have been devised and subject to a suitable type of policy and an adequate sum insured, it affords an insured complete protection against the reduction or cessation of profits following a fire and place him in the same position as though the damage had not occurred.

In these circumstances, a loss of profit insurance should appeal to any businessman as an essential complement to Fire Insurance.

We shall proceed ahead to give a brief idea of important definitions and ingredients which needs to be understood before obtaining a policy:

a) Net Profit:

The net trading profit resulting from the business of the insured at the premises. This does not include all capital receipts and accretion. Provisioning for all fixed charges shall be made including depreciation but shall not include taxation chargeable on profits.

b) Standing Charges:

These are the fixed expenses whi ch wi l l never theless continue to accrue to the insured despite the cessation of business e.q. Rent, Municipal taxes, fixed interest on capital, Advertising etc

c) Indemnity Period:

The period commences when the damage by fire occurs, and ends when the business ceases to be affected there by, subject to the maximum period specified in the policy.

d) Turnover:

The money paid or payable to the insured for goods sold & delivered and for services rendered in course of the business at the premises.

e) Rate of Gross Profit:

The Gross Profit explained above divided by turnover during the financial year immediately before the date of the damage.

f) Annual Turnover:

The turnover during the twelve months immediately before the date of the damage.

g) Standard Turn Over:

The turn over during that period in the twelve months immediately before the date of the loss which corresponds with the Indemnity period. This st mean that if a fire occurs on 1 January and the business is affected during the following three months, January to March, then in ascertaining the shortage in turn over, the figures for those months are compared with January to March in the preceeding year. This is fairness personified especially in case of seasonal trades.

Measure of Indemnity:

With the aid of the above stated definition, it would now be possible to state in simple terms how the insured would be compensated in the event of a loss. The amount payable shall be under two heads, which are described as below:

(I) Reduction In Turn Over:

It shall be he sum produced by applying the rate of gross profit to the amount by which the turn over during the indemnity period shall, in consequence of the damage, fall short of the Standard Turnover.

(II) Increase In Cost of waking:

It shall comprise the additional expend it urenecessarily and reasonably incurred for the sole purpose of diminishing the reduction in turnover but the amount shall not exceed the sum produced by applying the rate of gross profit to the amount of reduction there by avoided. We shall go ahead by giving you a very simple accounting applicability of this policy and make you clearly understand how it fully compensates an insured. By this example, you will able to appreciate that all the aspects are duly taken care of by insurers.


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Protection From Protectors

Posted on: November 7th, 2019 by shiv No Comments

Companies have shown strong predilection towards out sourcing of blue collared jobs. Peons, office boys, pantry staff, drivers, cleaning staff and guards etc. are now routinely being hired from specialized companies that provide such man power.

Dealing with Theft by Guards

Companies have shown strong predilection towards out sourcing of blue collared jobs. Peons, office boys, pantry staff, drivers, cleaning staff and guards etc. are now routinely being hired from specialized companies that provide such man power.

Although such outsourcing provides economical and administrative benefits, it also opens companies to new risks, which
insurance and risk managers many times fail to take into account.

A manufacturing company in Gurgaon had hired guards from a reputed security services company. One of the guards drugged his colleagues one night and allowed his partners in crime to come inside the company warehouse to steal goods worth Rs. 1 crore. Although the company had taken a burglary and theft policy, the insurer could not pay the claim as the loss had happened with the complicity of the guard employed by the company. A clause in the burglary policy specifically excludes losses due to connivance of the staff. The company tried to recover the loss from the security company that had provided the guard. After much acrimony and negotiation they could recover only 20% of the loss amount.

This is a very relevant risk that almost all organizations face today but unfortunately very few have taken steps to mitigate this risk. Most organizations take a Burglary and Theft insurance, however this policy covers losses due to burglary or theft done by any party not connected with the insured in any way. Loss of company property due to complicity of the insured’s employees either directly employed or hired from an outsourcing agency, are not paid under a Burglary and Theft policy.

If this is so then how can such a risk be mitigated? The subsequent paragraphs would provide an insight into the alternative solutions to the risks of employee dishonesty.

Risk Transfer in the Form of an Insurance Cover

Fidelity Insurance (more commonly known in India as “Fidelity Guarantee insurance”) is designed to provide cover to the employers against dishonesty of the employees. The policy covers theft of not only the money but also goods/ stock belonging to the insured. Both, an opportunistic theft or misappropriation of funds over a period of time, are covered under this policy. Thus a loss because of a security guard stealing stocks of garments from a retail store in connivance with outsiders,will not be covered under a Burglary policy. However a Fidelity Guarantee policy will cover this loss.

Certain Key Words Used in the Operative Clause of the Policy

  •  “Loss of money or goods” – The policy covers loss of money or goods.
  • “Belonging to or held in trust by the insured” – Goods and money belonging to insured ( employer) or which he is
    responsible for are covered under the policy e.g. if the employee runs away with the money or personal property of a visitor/ or a neighbour , for which the insured is not responsible , the loss will be not be covered under the policy.
  • Caused directly by fraudulent and dishonest act” – The policy covers only direct losses. Consequential financial losses are covered.
  • “In connection with his employment with his/ her employment with insured” – The policy will not cover theft by an employee outside the course of his/ her employment.

From the above discussion, it gets established that any direct losses of money and material due to the dishonesty of employees can be covered under Fidelity Guarantee Insurance. This will also include any thefts with the complicity of the employees.

Now the next question to be tackled is that guards provided by a manpower outsourcing organization like a security agency are not employees of a company. Therefore, will any thefts done by them or with their complicity be covered?

Insurers do not cover outsourced staff under Employee Fidelity Insurance. Hence it should not be implicitly assumed that all persons working on the premises of the insured would stand covered under the fidelity policy. However insurers have covered outsourced guards, peons, pantry boys etc. in the past, on payment of extra premium. Therefore the best course would be to specifically declare such staff and negotiate the terms of cover with the insurer.

In our next publication we will deal with another emerging risk, financial liability arising from theft of material or data by employees from a client.


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