ACFE Brings Historic Frauds to Life by Unveiling New Fraud Museum.

AUSTIN, Texas -- The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), the leading provider of anti-fraud training and education worldwide, announced today the unveiling of its new Fraud Museum -- featuring memorabilia of frauds throughout history.

The notorious fraudster Ivar Kreuger claims the first piece in the Fraud Museum collection. Known as the "Swedish Match King," Krueger engaged in a large number of frauds in the early 20th century including embezzlement, the use of shell companies, transferring debt to subsidiaries, and even counterfeiting $142 million worth of Italian bonds. After his schemes began to collapse, Kreuger committed suicide in 1932 leaving a note that said, "I'm too tired to continue."

The new ACFE Fraud Museum brings lesser-known fraudsters to light like Clarence Hatry. Financial historians generally agree that the infamous stock market crash of 1929 actually began with a chain of events surrounding the bankruptcy of this flamboyant English financier. On Sept. 20, 1929, it was revealed that Hatry had forged $67 million in municipal bonds to cover his debts. As a consequence, many of his shareholders had to fortify themselves by selling their American holdings, creating panic in the market. Less than 30 days later, the stock market crashed, causing the worse financial crisis in U.S. history. Hatry served 15 years in prison for his crimes.

"I've always found the lives of fraudsters to be extremely fascinating," Joseph Wells, CFE, CPA, ACFE founder and chairman explains. "While researching my book, 'Frankensteins of Frauds,' I came across some interesting characters and subsequently found accompanying memorabilia. I started collecting these pieces and -- voila! -- the fraud museum was born."

From highly recognizable documents like Enron, WorldCom, and Adelphia stock certificates, to unique finds like a check signed by legendary inside trader Ivan Boesky, the new ACFE Fraud Museum currently boasts 50 unique pieces.

The museum will make its debut as a traveling collection at the 17th Annual ACFE Fraud Conference & Exhibition at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, NV. The permanent home of the museum is the Gregor Building at ACFE Headquarters in Austin, Texas. For more information visit www.ACFE.com/about/museum.asp.

The 17th Annual ACFE Conference & Exhibition

Keynote speakers include Ben Stein, Author, Lawyer, Humorist, Celebrity; Frank Hydoski, Former Lead Investigator, U.N. Oil-for-Food Inquiry; Timo Laine, Crime Intelligence Officer, Interpol. This year's conference will be held in Las Vegas, July 9-14, 2006. The official Fraud Museum ribbon cutting ceremony will take place on Sunday, July 9, at 7:00 p.m. The museum exhibit, sponsored by Protiviti, will also be open Monday, July 10, and Tuesday, July 11. To register for a press pass, please contact Cathy Hale at [e-mail].

About the ACFE

The ACFE is the world's premier provider of anti-fraud training and education. Together with more than 37,000 members, the ACFE is reducing business fraud world-wide and inspiring public confidence in the integrity and objectivity within the profession. Certified Fraud Examiners (CFEs) on six continents have investigated more than 2 million suspected cases of civil and criminal fraud. www.ACFE.com

NOTE TO MEDIA: High-resolution photos of the ACFE Fraud Museum collection are available upon request. If you would like to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony in Vegas, please contact Cathy Hale for a press pass.