Overview
FutureFocusTech (FFT) was founded a few years ago as a tech company. A big issue for FFT was developing the technological systems necessary to support its rapidly expanding user base. Furthermore, due to the rapid expansion in recent years, many of its systems had been added hastily, resulting in poor integration and questionable data integrity. Consequently, FFT’s CEO announced an initiative to integrate all systems and increase the quality of internal data. In compliance with this initiative, FFT purchased an expensive and complex billing system called CloudBill, which would automate the billing for thousands of Internet accounts via credit cards.
During the integration, CloudBill, in collaboration with a major credit card company, created a phony credit card number that could be used by developers and programmers to test the functionality and integration of the CloudBill system. Moreover, this credit card number was fully functional in "live" environments, so testers and developers could ensure functionality without being required to use actual personal or company credit card numbers. The activity on this card was not monitored. The integration went smoothly; however, it created thousands of corrupt accounts that required fixing.
Sean, the manager of the Operations Department, was responsible for the resolution of all data integrity issues. His team was tasked with fixing all corrupt accounts created by the launch and integration of the CloudBill system. As a result, Sean was given the phony credit card number, which was kept safely in his desk drawer.
A top performer on the Operations team was a 32-year-old male named CJ Newsom. CJ had worked in Operations for more than a year and was making $15 per hour, the same salary as when he was hired. He was an introvert working to support a family and put himself through school. CJ was the most technologically savvy individual on the team, and his overall systems knowledge exceeded that of his manager, Sean. CJ was brilliant in creating more efficient tools and methods to repair corrupted accounts. Therefore, CJ was tasked with conducting training for new employees and updating team members on new processes and tools that he had created. As a result, he quickly became a trusted and valuable team member. Sean gave him, and the other team members, the phony credit card number to increase the productivity of the team.
However, after six months of working at FFT, CJ received an official reprimand from the company for using the company system to access websites containing pirated software and music. The FBI investigated and determined that CJ had not been a major player in the piracy. Therefore, CJ was quietly warned and placed on a short-term probation. Tyler was asked to write a warning letter for the action; however, after a brief conversation with Ethan, Tyler determined that Ethan's intentions were good and Sean never officially submitted the letter because CJ was a trusted employee and elevated the overall performance of the team.
A few months after the piracy incident, Sean noticed some changes in CJ's behavior:
- CJ's computer monitor was repositioned so that his screen was not visible to coworkers.
- CJ had the latest technological innovations including a new smartphone, the newest Play Station, a new laptop, a tablet, and a new car entertainment system.
- CJ was going out to lunch more frequently.
- CJ frequently used multiple fake usernames and passwords for testing purposes.
Prepare a detailed analysis of the scenario by incorporating your responses to the following in well-developed paragraphs (do not use a question-answer format):
- Analyze the case using the three elements of the fraud triangle.
- Discuss some of the red flags that might indicate that fraud exists in the scenario.
- Discuss what Sean could have done to eliminate some, or all, of the opportunities for fraud.
Requirements:
- Write a paper of 6 pages in length, not counting the title and reference pages, which you must include.
- APA7 style
- Cite at least 3 credible sources not older than 5 years. NO AI CONTENT!