Fraud Investigator Certificate (FIC)

The Fraud Investigator Certificate (FIC) Program is a framework by which law enforcement organizations can construct and professionally develop specialized economic crime investigators.  The intent of the program is to encourage fraud investigation professionals to improve their knowledge and grow their expertise in the discipline. 

The program is organized into three levels of collective Defense Acquisition University (DAU) and FLETC training requirements.  Completion of each level signifies achievement of increasing degrees of understanding and demonstrated proficiency in conducting complex fraud and financial crime investigations.  FIC Levels must be achieved in order.

FIC Levels

FIC Level 1 – completion of the below listed courses and demonstrated proficiency through the successful completion of the FIC Level 1 Capstone.

• FLETC: Procurement Fraud Investigation Training Program (PFITP)
• DAU: Contracting for the Rest of Us (DAU CLC 011)
• DAU: Legal Considerations in Contracting (DAU CON 216)
• DAU: Simplified Acquisition Procedures (DAU CON 237)

 

FIC Level 2 – completion of the below listed courses and demonstrated proficiency through the successful completion of the FIC Level 2 Capstone.

• FLETC: National Suspension and Debarment Training Program (NSDTP)
• FLETC: Case Organization and Presentation Training Program (COPTP)
• FLETC: Grant Fraud Investigation Training Program (GFITP)
• FLETC: Product Substitution Investigation Training Program (PSITP)
• DAU: Services Acquisition (DAU CLC 013)
• DAU: Time and Materials Contracts (DAU CLC 060)

 

FIC Level 3 – completion of the below listed courses and demonstrated proficiency through the successful completion of the FIC Level 3 Capstone.

• FLETC: International Banking and Money Laundering (IBMLTP)
• FLETC: Cryptocurrency for the Investigator (CFITP)
• DAU: Service Disabled, Veteran Owned Small Business Program (DAU CLC 099)
• DAU: Certificate of Competency Program (DAU FAC 007)

 

How to become a candidate for a FIC Level.

Individuals desiring to become candidates for the FIC Program should submit a “Intent to Complete Fraud Investigator Certificate” memorandum to be enrolled into the program.  An example memorandum is attached below.  Candidates should follow their agency guidance for memorandum formatting.  The memorandum should be addressed to the following:

Branch Chief
Financial Fraud and Investigative Analysis Branch
Investigative Operations Division
Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers
1131 Chapel Crossing Road
Glynco, GA 31524

 

A memorandum expressing intent to complete each FIC Level should be submitted for candidacy.  The letter of intent serves as a means of tracking candidacy and forecasting capstone events.

How to become a candidate for a FIC Capstone?

Upon completion of the required courses listed within a particular FIC Level, candidates should submit a “Request Enrollment in Fraud Investigator Certificate Capstone Level #” to be enrolled into the earliest Capstone event.  An example memorandum is attached below.  Candidates should follow their agency guidance for memorandum formatting.  The memorandum should be addressed to the following:

Branch Chief
Financial Fraud and Investigative Analysis Branch
Investigative Operations Division
Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers
1131 Chapel Crossing Road
Glynco, GA 31524

 

A memorandum requesting enrollment into a Capstone event should be submitted for each FIC Level.  The letter of intent serves as a means of tracking candidacy and forecasting capstone events.

What are the requirements of the Capstone Event?

The FIC Capstone is considering the culminating event in a FIC Level and provides the candidate the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of the course material within the particular FIC Level.  Capstones at each level will be scheduled as In-Service Training Sessions within the FLETC Student Administration and Scheduling System (SASS).  The training officer for the candidate’s agency will enroll the candidate in SASS.  

The candidates will prepare a 20-minute briefing to be presented during the scheduled event.  The Capstone is a virtual event and will be hosted on Adobe Connect.  Capstone events are four (4) hours in length and the candidate must be present for the entire program.  The briefing will contain information from a case study chosen by the candidate and will address the following topics:

1. The briefing should describe the fraud scheme(s) related to the allegation and subsequent investigation.
2. The briefing should describe the related violations or offenses investigated.
3. The briefing should describe potential evidence identified during the course of the investigation.
4. The briefing should describe key pieces of evidence identified and used during the adjudication of the investigation.
5. The briefing should describe the identification of potential fraud remedies during the investigation.
6. The briefing should describe how the investigative findings were presented to the appropriate decision-making authority.        
7. The briefing should describe the results of the investigation.
8. The briefing should describe how lessons learned from the courses included in the relevant FIC Level were applied during the course of the investigation.  
9. The briefing should describe best practices learned and/or utilized during the course of the investigation.

For more information contact fletc-fraudinvestigatorcert@fletc.dhs.gov or fletc.ffi.training@fletc.gov.