This list is not exhaustive and the ingenuity of those involved in corruption knows no bounds! But you should beware of:
- abnormal cash payments
- pressure exerted for payments to be made urgently or ahead of schedule
- payments being made through a third party country - for example, goods or services supplied to country 'A' but payment is being made, usually to a shell company in country 'B'
- an abnormally high commission percentage being paid to a particular agency. This may be split into two accounts for the same agent, often in different jurisdictions
- private meetings with public contractors or companies hoping to tender for contracts
- lavish gifts being received
- an individual who never takes time off even if ill, or holidays, or insists on dealing with specific contractors himself or herself
- making unexpected or illogical decisions accepting projects or contracts
- the unusually smooth process of cases where an individual does not have the expected level of knowledge or expertise
- abuse of the decision process or delegated powers in specific cases
- agreeing contracts not favourable to the organisation either because of the terms or the time period
- unexplained preference for certain contractors during tendering period
- avoidance of independent checks on the tendering or contracting processes
- raising barriers around specific roles or departments which are key in the tendering or contracting processes
- bypassing normal tendering or contracting procedures
- invoices being agreed in excess of the contract without reasonable cause
- missing documents or records regarding meetings or decisions
- company procedures or guidelines not being followed
- the payment of, or making funds available for, high value expenses or school fees (or similar) on behalf of others.
