Scams
Reporting a Pump and Dump: Evidence to Save and Who to Tell
How to report a pump and dump stock scheme: the red flags, the evidence to save, and where to file in the US (SEC, FINRA, FTC, IC3), UK (FCA) and India (SEBI).
The Correption archive
All explainers
Every Correption explainer on scams, fraud, corruption and accountability, grouped by topic. 24 articles.
Scams
Pig Butchering Scams: How Crypto Investment Fraud Works, Stage by Stage
How pig butchering scams turn a friendly stranger into a fake crypto investment: the stages, who runs them, warning signs, and what to do if money is gone.
Scams
How to Report a Scam in the US and UK: FTC, IC3 and Report Fraud
Where to report a scam in the US and UK: FTC, FBI IC3, Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud), 7726 and the FCA, plus what to do first and what to include.
Scams
Deepfake Scams: How AI Voice and Video Fraud Works and How to Spot It
Deepfake scams clone a trusted voice or face to rush you into paying. INTERPOL's new campaign, the red flags to watch and how to verify before you act.
Whistleblowing
Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program: How the DOJ's New Rewards Work
The DOJ's new Fraud Whistleblower Incentive Program pays $10,000 to $30,000 when a tip leads to criminal fraud charges. Who qualifies and how it compares.
Politics
Are Political Donations Tax Deductible? US, India and UK Rules
Political donations are not tax deductible in the US or UK, but India allows a deduction for non-cash gifts to registered parties. What counts, what doesn't, and why.
Fraud
Ponzi Scheme vs Pyramid Scheme: The Real Difference and How to Spot Each
Ponzi vs pyramid scheme explained: who recruits, where the money goes, why both collapse, what US, UK and Indian law say, and the red flags to check before paying in.
Auditing
What Is Auditor Independence? Rules, Threats and Safeguards
Auditor independence explained: the SEC's reasonable-investor test, the five IESBA threats, what SOX, EU and Indian law ban, and how to check a company's auditor yourself.
Whistleblowing
Whistle-blower Protection: Reality Check
Most whistle-blower protection laws sound impressive on paper. The reality for those who speak up is often quite different.
Procurement
Government Contracts: The Transparency Illusion
Public procurement processes promise open competition and value for taxpayers. Behind the scenes, the reality is often quite different.
Ethics
Corporate Ethics Training: Expensive Theater
Billions are spent annually on ethics programs. Research suggests they may actually make unethical behavior more likely.
Politics
Political Donations: Hidden Influence Networks
Campaign finance laws promise transparency about political funding. Complex networks of donors, PACs, and shell organizations tell a different story.
Auditing
Audit Firms: The Independence Myth
Public companies pay audit firms to verify their financial statements. This arrangement creates conflicts that undermine the entire auditing process.
Regulation
Regulatory Capture in the Pharmaceutical Industry
Drug regulators are supposed to protect public health. Instead, they often serve the interests of the companies they regulate.
Taxation
Tax Haven Banking: Secrecy for Sale
Offshore financial centers promise privacy and tax efficiency. Their real business is helping wealthy clients hide money from tax authorities.
Environment
Environmental Impact Assessments: Rubber Stamps
Environmental reviews are supposed to prevent ecological damage from major projects. Instead, they often provide legal cover for predetermined decisions.
Research
University Research: When Corporations Set the Agenda
Academic research is supposed to pursue knowledge independently. Corporate funding increasingly shapes what gets studied and what gets published.
Media
Media Ownership: When Concentration Threatens Democracy
Democratic societies depend on diverse, independent media. Increasing concentration of media ownership undermines this foundation.
Defense
Defense Contracts: The Military-Industrial Revolving Door
Former military officers join defense contractors, then influence procurement decisions. This revolving door distorts defense spending priorities.
Climate
Carbon Offsets: The Great Green-washing Fraud
Companies buy carbon offsets to claim climate neutrality. Most offset projects don't actually reduce emissions, making the entire system a costly illusion.
Publishing
Academic Publishing: Paywalls Around Human Knowledge
A handful of companies control most scientific publishing, charging billions to access research often funded by taxpayers.
Social Media
Social Media Content Moderation: Biased by Design
Platforms claim to moderate content neutrally, but their systems systematically favor certain viewpoints while suppressing others.
Food
Food Safety: When Industry Writes the Rules
Food safety agencies are supposed to protect consumers. Instead, they often prioritize industry interests over public health.
Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrency Markets: Manipulation Paradise
Crypto markets promise decentralized finance free from traditional manipulation. Instead, they've become playgrounds for sophisticated market abuse.