Fraud Awareness Week is an opportunity to reflect on a threat that affects organizations across all sectors: fraud in its various forms. At METRICA, and in line with the content published today on our social media channels, we want to explore this concept from an educational, prevention-focused perspective while reinforcing our commitment to transparency, regulatory compliance, and digital security.
What is fraud, and how does it differ from deception?
Fraud is a deliberate act of deception intended to obtain personal benefit or cause harm. Although often used interchangeably, it is not the same as deception or “estafa,” a specific type of fraud in which the victim acts to their own detriment and suffers direct financial loss.
Understanding this distinction is essential to better identify risks and implement effective preventive measures within any organization.
The Fraud Triangle: three factors that explain its origin
One of the most widely recognized models for understanding the causes of fraud is the Fraud Triangle, which identifies three elements that typically coincide when fraudulent behavior occurs:
Pressure or Incentive
Arises when a person experiences a strong need or motivation that drives the behavior.
Opportunity
Appears when internal controls are weak or insufficient, making it easier to act without being detected.
Rationalization
Occurs when a person internally justifies their actions, minimizing their impact or perceiving them as acceptable.
This model helps explain why fraud is rarely an isolated act—it often results from an environment that must be identified and mitigated.
Cyberfraud: the most frequent digital threats
The digital landscape has amplified risks, giving rise to increasingly sophisticated fraud techniques. Some of the most common include:
Phishing
Fake emails or messages designed to steal passwords, banking information, or other sensitive data.
Ransomware
Malware that locks access to systems or data in exchange for a ransom payment.
Identity Theft
When an attacker impersonates a legitimate person or organization to manipulate, deceive, or access confidential information.
These threats exploit both technical and human vulnerabilities, making training, verification, and active vigilance essential.
METRICA’s commitment to integrity and fraud prevention
At METRICA, we work with an integrated approach that combines strong internal controls, compliance policies, continuous training, and cybersecurity measures aimed at detecting and preventing fraud. Our organizational culture is grounded in integrity, responsibility, and the protection of information—values that are fundamental to safe and sustainable growth.
Awareness is the first step. For this reason, we encourage the entire METRICA community and our broader network to reflect, learn, and reinforce the practices that help us build safer, more ethical, and more trustworthy environments.
