Breaking the Barriers: UAE and Saudi Arabia Chapters Host Conference in Dubai

The UAE and Saudi Arabia chapters, in conjunction with the UAE Internal Audit Association, recently hosted the first-ever Middle East and North Africa Fraud Conference at the Intercontinental Dubai Festival City in Dubai, January 21-22.

The conference, themed “Breaking the Barriers,” was attended by more than 250 participants from across the region, 15 different countries and more than 60 nationalities. The event was headlined by UAE Minister of Culture, Youth and Social Development His Excellency Nahyan bin Mubarak Al-Nahyan and ACFE President and CEO Jim Ratley.

“Collaboration between the UAE and Saudi Chapters ensured this was a first-class event in the region. We’re very proud to have brought such a quality event to members of the anti-fraud community in the Middle East and North Africa,” said Tania Fabiani, CFE, president of the UAE Chapter.

The two-day event attracted 10 paid sponsors that helped lessen the costs including Saudi Aramco, E&Y, PWC and BAE Systems

“Chapter leaders worked hundreds of hours in preparing presentations, recruiting world class speakers, panelists and instructors, and planning each and every detail for the venue to ensure the event was a high-value learning and networking  opportunity for ACFE members,” said Greg Picur, CFE, secretary of the Saudi Arabia Chapter.

Other speakers included Saudi Arabia Chapter President Abdullatif Al-Abdulwahed, CFE, and ACFE Faculty Member Eric Feldman, CFE. Topics covered included cybercrime and forensic technology, anti-money laundering and anti-terrorism complaints, interviewing techniques and report writing.

See pictures from the event below.