THE CARDINAL INGREDIENTS OF ANY CRIMINAL DECEPTION ARE THE INGENUITY AND PLAUSIBILITY OF THE STORY ADVANCED, AND THE GREED AND GULLIBILITY OF THE INTENDED VICTIM. A NUMBER OF FACTORS MAKE COMMERCIAL FRAUD AN ATTRACTIVE MODE OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY: PREPARATION INVOLVES MINIMAL RISKS AND IS RELATIVELY INEXPENSIVE; CHANCE OF DETECTION IS MINIMAL; PROSECUTION IF DISCOVERED IS DIFFICULTY; PUNISHMENTS FOLLOWING CONVICTION ARE USUALLY MINOR WHEN COMPARED WITH THE ENORMOUS GAINS; AND HUGE PROFITS ARE POSSIBLE. A NUMBER OF MAJOR TYPES OF COMMERCIAL CRIME CAN BE IDENTIFIED. MANAGEMENT FRAUD INVOLVES THE DIRECT OR INDIRECT MISUSE OR CONVERSION OF BUSINESS ASSETS FOR PERSONAL GAIN. THE MOST PREVALENT SORT OF MANAGEMENT FRAUD INVOLVES MANIPULATION OF BUSINESS CREDIT AND DEBIT BALANCES. LONG-TERM FRAUD USUALLY INVOLVES THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SMALL PRIVATE COMPANY, INITIAL DEVELOPMENT OF A GOOD CREDIT RATING, AND SUBSEQUENT EXTENSIVE USE OF CREDIT TO OBTAIN GOODS WHICH ARE THEN QUICKLY DISPOSED OF AT LOW VALUE FOLLOWED BY THE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE MISCREANTS. FICTITIOUS TRADE DIRECTORIES IN WHICH SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS ARE INVEIGLED INTO PAYING FOR NEVER-TO-BE PUBLISHED DIRECTORY INSERTIONS PROVIDE A LOW-COST, HIGH-GAIN MEANS OF FRAUD. FRANCHISE FRAUDS UTILIZE HEAVY PUBLICITY OFFERING GET-RICH-QUICK INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES. ONCE INVESTMENTS ARE RECEIVED, THE FRANCHISE COMPANY IS DISSOLVED LEAVING THE PERPETRATORS RICHER AND THE INVESTOR POORER. ADVANCE FEE SWINDLES BY SPURIOUS LOAN BROKERS A FORM OF FRAUD WHICH HAS PROLIFERATED ON A WORLDWIDE BASIS IN THE PAST DECADE. OFFSHORE BANK AND INVESTMENT FRAUDS ARE VIABLE BECAUSE OF THEIR AURA OF RESPECTABILITY, THE NEED FOR AN INVESTMENT OR STROAGE OUTLET FOR UNDECLARED OR CRIMINAL EARNINGS, AND THE LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND INVESTIGATORY INADEQUACIES ASSOCIATED WITH TAX HAVENS. ADDITIONAL FRAUDS INCLUDE FACTORING AND HIRE PURCHASE FRAUDS WHICH EMPLOY FALSIFIED INVOICES TO OBTAIN CASH, AND LAND SALE FRAUDS. DETERRENCE OF ANY CRIME REQUIRES THAT IT BE DETECTED AND PUNISHED WITH CERTAINTY. CREATION OF A MULTINATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AND IMPLEMENTATION OF HARSHER SANCTIONS ARE RECOMMENDED. (JAP)