About this webinar

Fraud is rarely enabled solely by weak controls or deliberate misconduct. In many organisations, warning signs are visible long before fraud is detected, yet employees, managers, auditors, and investigators often fail to recognise or act upon them. This phenomenon, often referred to as ethical blindness, occurs when individuals become unable to objectively assess conduct, risks, or decisions because of organisational pressures, cognitive biases, cultural norms, or competing priorities.

Ethical blindness can affect even experienced professionals acting in good faith. Familiarity with colleagues, pressure to achieve business objectives, deference to authority, the normalisation of questionable practices, and group decision-making dynamics can all impair judgement and reduce professional scepticism. As a result, organisations may overlook behaviours and control weaknesses that later develop into significant fraud, misconduct, or compliance failures.

This session examines the relationship between ethical blindness and fraud risk. Participants will explore how cognitive biases, organisational culture, leadership behaviour, and workplace incentives influence decision-making and fraud detection. Through practical examples and real-world scenarios, the webinar provides strategies for strengthening ethical awareness, challenging assumptions, and improving fraud prevention and detection outcomes.

Key Topics Discussed:

Understanding ethical blindness and its impact on fraud risk
Why good people make poor ethical decisions
Cognitive biases affecting fraud detection
Groupthink, authority bias, and organisational pressure
The normalisation of deviance and misconduct
Cultural drivers of fraud and unethical behaviour
Professional scepticism in fraud examinations
Recognising overlooked fraud indicators and warning signs
Ethical challenges in investigations and internal reporting
Leadership influence on ethical decision-making
Strengthening speak-up cultures and challenge mechanisms
Lessons from major fraud and misconduct cases

This webinar includes:

verifiedCertificate of completion

scheduleNo preparation required

bar_chartAppropriate for all levels

lock1 year access

infoNo prerequisites

Meet Our Expert Speakers

INSTRUCTOR

Ursula Schmidt•Internal Audit & Compliance Advisor | Former Global Audit Executive

Dr. Ursula Schmidt is an independent advisor and founder of Schmidt Advisory, specialising in internal audit, compliance, governance, and ethics. She previously served as Executive Vice President, Aud...

Credit Information

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Eyes Wide Shut: Navigating Ethical Blindness in Fraud Investigations