Fraud continues to b a major growth area in the United Kingdom today and is a problem that requires to be addressed in a realistic and constructive manner. With the opening and relaxation of European barriers and the widespread introduction of new technology, fraud has become more of a universal problem and offers the fraudster a wide stage on which to practice and develop this trade and techniques. It is the purpose of this paper to use Soft Systems Methodology (SSM), a particular and innovative approach to understanding unstructured problem situations, to bring together the views of important stake holders (Commercial Crime Bureau, Fraud & Specialist Services Unit, Judges, Bank personnel, Fraud Investigation Department, Members of European Parliament) in order to better understand the nature of the risk of international fraud and related issues. The Soft System tools employed include the following, which aid in the communication between relevant stakeholders: Rich Pictures (to highlight problems and areas of conflict); Root Definitions (to clarify base notional systems); and Conceptual Models (based on Root Definitions, but used to expand understanding). Thus the differing weltanchauungen (world-views) are illustrated and considered in the fight of the problem situation (the risk of international fraud and related issues).
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