The average company loss to fraud has hit $8.2 million over the past three years, up 22% on the previous year, according to the latest Kroll Global Fraud Report. The biggest increase was in the natural resources sector because of the continuing rise in oil prices and the industry's shift into higher-risk areas. The healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology sectors also reported increased problems with corruption and theft of assets and stock.

Fraud will always be there. But tougher economic conditions brought on by the credit crunch would have in part resulted in this increase.