December 1993 Fraud Terminology Topics
Buckyballs, Sink Testing, Charting Party,
Wave Therapy, Drug Diversion, Bust Out, Boosters,
Voice Mail Jail, Paranoia, Reverse Paranoia, Dilemma, Trash Audit, and Blowing Bubbles
 

Buckyballs make the detection of
counterfeit documents more difficult.
 

Fraud In Other Words™
Professional Jargon and Uncensored Street Slang
by Larry C. Adams, CFE, CPA, CIA, CISA

 

Buckyballs (Fullerenes)
Extremely fine particles of a newly discovered third form of carbon, different from diamond and graphite. These stable, symmetric molecules of Carbon-60 were found in soot and called Buckminsterfullerenes or Buckyballs. Their molecular structure has a geodesic shape and was fondly named after architect R. Buckminster Fuller, who was noted for his revolutionary technological designs. When microscopic buckyballs are used in toner for photocopy machines and laser printers, the resolution is greatly enhanced and the detection of counterfeit documents is much more difficult. Buckyballs are one-thousandth the size of other carbon particles commonly used in toner. Soluble buckyballs can change from black to amber and red, and produce additional vivid colors for copiers.
Richard P. Brennan, Dictionary of Scientific Literacy, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1992, p. 30.
Photo: Cornell University

 

Sink Testing
A scam where a laboratory fails to perform the expected medical tests. They only pour the blood or urine specimens down the sink, but report normal results for the patient to avoid suspicion. Normal billings are submitted by the laboratory.
Steve Wiggs, “Healthcare Fraud,” Western States Fraud Conference, Scottsdale, Arizona, October 12, 1993.

 

Drug Diversion
Samples of prescription medicines are given to doctors, clinics, or pharmacies, but are subsequently repackaged and sold as regular merchandise. In another version of the scam, doctors prescribe unneeded drugs for patients. The patients sell those controlled drugs back to the doctor, another pharmacy, or another person for a small kickback. The doctors also may receive a kickback from the pharmacy. These scams are used to reduce the pharmacist’s costs, or to increase the supply of drugs used for illegal distribution.

 

Charting Party
A medical staff gets together to review patients’ charts. They prepare written documentation to obtain the highest reimbursement from the insurance company. They may add services or items that were never provided.
Steve Wiggs, “Healthcare Fraud,” Western States Fraud Conference, Scottsdale, Arizona, October 12, 1993.

 

Wave Therapy
A doctor provides no medically founded therapy. While the patient lies on a table, the doctor merely waves his arms and hands above the patient, then announces the diagnosis or the cure. In another variation, the doctor gives a friendly wave in the direction of the patient in a parking lot or on a street, and then charges the insurance company for a full office visit.
Steve Wiggs, “Healthcare Fraud,” Western States Fraud Conference, Scottsdale, Arizona, October 12, 1993.

 

Blowing Bubbles
The curses uttered by the victims of wildcat schemes and shady company promotions. Frothing at the mouth with rage. A “wildcat business” runs without control or regulation. It operates with reckless or unsafe business methods. The “wildcatter” (operator) often promotes an illicit business or product. Before the national banking system was established in 1864, “wildcat banks” issued notes without adequate security.
Webster’s Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Gramercy Books, New York, 1989, p. 1633.

 

Bust Out
A planned bankruptcy intended to cheat the employees, creditors, or investors.
Joan Norvelle and Kelly Lane, “Using Financial Techniques in Litigation Support,” ACFE Arizona Chapter Meeting, Phoenix, July 13, 1993.

 

Paranoia
A chronic psychosis characterized by delusions of persecution. This unreasonable distrust or suspicion is strongly defended by the afflicted person with apparent reason and logic.

 

Reverse Paranoia
The fear that everyone is doing nice things for you, behind your back.

 

Dilemma
A situation requiring a choice between equally undesirable alternatives. A predicament that seemingly defies a satisfactory solution.

 

Trash Audit
Searching through dumpsters of a company or person for evidence, financial information, addresses, telephone numbers, correspondence, memos, credit information, banking records, computer disks, audio tapes, video tapes, or other information that has been discarded or partially destroyed.

 

Boosters
Shoplifters.

 

Voice Mail Jail
When you attempt to reach someone by telephone and you get stuck in an endless loop of voice mail options, holding messages, or music, and you can’t reach a live operator.

 

ã Copyright 1993 Larry C. Adams. All rights reserved.
“Fraud In Other Words” is a trademark of Larry C. Adams.
 

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