The national insurance commission for a developing country received a loan from the World Bank in 2003 to cover the cost of: a) a 2-week trip to the U.S. for 8 top officials of the commission, to observe and learn about insurance regulation in the U.S., and b) a follow-up training program to be held in the developing country for 25 mid-level managers in the insurance industry.

Of the World Bank grant, some $30,000 was reserved to cover the cost of the in-country training, with the remaining funds to be used to cover travel costs for the U.S. trip. The World Bank issued a letter to the commission that specifically directed that the 8 travelers purchase economyclass-fare airline tickets for their trip to the U.S.

However, the 8 travelers felt that they were “big men” in their country and therefore should not travel in economy class, so they purchased 8 business-class airline tickets. Because the cost difference between economy-class and business-class was $3,750 per ticket, the entire $30,000 that was aside for the in-country training was used towards purchasing 8 business-class tickets. As a result, the desperately-needed in-country training was never conducted. Please note that the country still is obligated to pay back the loan in full to the World Bank.

Yes, this is fraud! What internal control might have prevented this situation from occurring?

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

Internal Control Internal control as defined in accounting and auditing is a process for assuring of ... View the full answer