UAE State Audit Institution launches Internet hotline to report fraud

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The UAE State Audit Institution (SAI) has set up a web-based hotline for members of the public to report on fraudulent activity within the UAE Federal Government.
 
The move follows the UAE Government’s stated commitment to raise standards of accountability and transparency at the federal level. It is the first fraud hotline initiative of its kind in the Middle East.
 
The ‘ReportFraud’ service, hosted on the SAI’s website www.saiuae.gov.ae, is also open to federal government employees and suppliers. Only matters related to federal organisations can be investigated by the SAI.
 
SAI President Dr. Harib Al Amimi said. “This service allows concerned individuals to report suspicious activity while also ensuring that the process is handled discreetly and responsibly. The goal of ReportFraud is improved levels of governance and enhanced credibility for federal organisations.”
 
Fraud is defined as the use of deception to unjustly obtain a benefit. Examples may include theft or misuse of assets, bribes and false accounting, improper claims for federal government benefits, and computer hacking and information theft.
 
Complete guidelines for reporting fraud are available in English and Arabic on the SAI website. Individuals may report fraud by email or in writing.
 
The SAI will keep all information received confidential though it does not undertake to investigate all reports. Reports may be ignored if they have been previously investigated, or found to be poorly substantiated or the result of foul play.
 
Established in 1976, the UAE State Audit Institution is dedicated to improving accountability, governance standards and performance in the UAE Federal Government.
 
The SAI aims to be recognised as one of the top audit institutions in the world and is working toward this goal by introducing international best practices and internationally recognised training for employees and UAE National graduates.
 
In May, the SAI completed the first financial audits of UAE Federal Government organisations in line with the globally recognised International Standards on Auditing.
 
The audits are part of a programme of internationally recognised auditing practices now being introduced by the SAI. The programme is being implemented in several phases and is expected to be completed by the end of 2012.
 
Dr. Al Amimi said: “The UAE is the second least corrupt country in the Middle East and the 35^th least corrupt in the world, according to international rankings. There is tremendous determination at the highest levels of government to further improve upon these standings, and ReportFraud is just one small example of how this commitment is being put into practice.”
 
UAE Nationals make up more than 40 per cent of the SAI’s 200-strong workforce. The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, which has 8,000 members in the Middle East, recently awarded Platinum Level Approved Employer Status to the SAI in recognition of its employee training and development.

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