Key Takeaways From the 2026 ACFE Government Anti-Fraud Summit
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Anti-fraud professionals from law enforcement, government and oversight agencies gathered virtually for the 2026 ACFE Government Anti-Fraud Summit, hosted by the ACFE Law Enforcement and Government Alliance. Summit speakers explored how fraud risks are evolving, and what government and law enforcement agencies can do to keep pace.
From judicial insight to cyber threats, behavioral ethics and AI, the summit delivered practical guidance designed for professionals on the front lines.
Themes That Emerged
Fraud prevention in government today sits at the intersection of technology, human behavior and organizational change.
Across sessions, speakers emphasized that no single tool or framework is enough on its own. Strong fraud defenses depend on adaptability, collaboration and clear judgment.
Legal Insight and National Security Perspectives
The day opened and closed with high-level conversations that framed fraud as both a legal and national security issue.
Opening General Session: The Honorable Jed S. Rakoff, U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York and nationally recognized voice in securities, governance and criminal law, shared judicial perspectives from decades of financial crime cases. Interviewed by ACFE CEO John Warren, J.D., CFE, Judge Rakoff discussed enforcement trends, the importance of individual accountability and evolving legal challenges.
General Session: Gen. Paul M. Nakasone, interviewed by Roderick Chambers, examined AI-enabled fraud, identity theft and the accelerating speed and scale of cyber threats. He emphasized the growing importance of public-private collaboration and adaptive defense strategies.
Key takeaway: Fraud is no longer confined to one agency, system or jurisdiction. It demands coordinated action, technological agility and sustained accountability.
Real-World Investigations and Case Studies
Several sessions grounded the summit in the realities of investigation and prosecution.
Nursing Home Nightmare: The Prosecution of Diane Dancer, presented by DeAnna Debenport, CFE, CIA, and Alicia Patterson, J.D., explored a long-running fraud scheme targeting elderly victims and the challenges of courtroom-ready financial evidence.
Forensic Financial Analysis: The Golden Rule in Financial Crimes Investigations, led by Lavderim Hysa, CFE, CPA, reinforced the importance of the “follow the money” approach, even as fraud schemes grow more complex.
Key takeaway: Clear, defensible financial storytelling remains essential.
Human Behavior, Ethics and Organizational RisK
Human factors and their impacts of the fraud prevention landscape surfaced repeatedly throughout the day.
• Change Fatigue and Fraud, presented by Sherese Shy-Holmes, CFE, PMP, examined how constant change can erode internal controls.
• How We Know Truth: Objectivity in Fraud Investigations, led by Nathaniel Guyear, CFE, challenged attendees to recognize bias and protect objectivity amid information overload.
Key takeaway: When people are overwhelmed or disengaged, fraud risk rises.
Technology, Cybercrime and What’s Next
The summit also looked ahead at how technology is reshaping both fraud schemes and fraud prevention.
The Human Hack, presented by Marc Evans, CFE, unpacked social engineering and crypto-enabled crime.
Push, Pull, Nudge, with Colin May, CFE, demonstrated how behavioral insights can strengthen deterrence.
The Case for Using AI Agents, presented by Erik Halvorson, explored responsible uses of AI to support resource-strapped teams.
Key takeaway: Technology is most effective when paired with human judgment.
Why It Matters
The 2026 ACFE Government Anti-Fraud Summit reinforced a simple truth: Fraud prevention in government isn’t just about controls and compliance. It’s about understanding people, adapting to change and working together to stay ahead of evolving threats.
As fraud schemes grow more complex and interconnected, collaboration is critical. No single agency, discipline or role can address these challenges alone. By sharing perspectives, challenges and practical approaches, this event fostered critical learning that can strengthen defenses across the entire public sector.
The 2026 ACFE Government Anti-Fraud Summit was hosted by the ACFE Law Enforcement and Government Alliance (LEGA), a partnership between the ACFE and law enforcement and government agencies from the federal, state and local level across the globe. The ACFE provides tailored resources for these agencies in the fight against fraud, including the ACFE Government Fraud Resources page. For more information on the Law Enforcement and Government Alliance, visit ACFE.com/LEGA.
