In short
- The newly created National Fraud Enforcement Division (NFED) was highlighted for its role in investigating and prosecuting fraud against taxpayer dollars.
- Federal, state, and local agencies are increasing oversight, coordination, and training to detect and stop fraudulent activity more quickly.
What happened
On October 5, 2026, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of NC hosted its 5th annual Economic Crimes Summit, featuring Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald as keynote speaker. The event focused on collaborative efforts to combat large-scale fraud schemes affecting government programs, financial systems, and vulnerable citizens.
The summit emphasized the work of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (NFED), created in early 2026 to centralize investigations and prosecutions of fraud against federal programs. Over 175 agency partners participated, sharing training and strategies to strengthen oversight and improve detection of fraudulent activities.
In numbers
- over 175 agency partners at the summit
What compliance teams should check
- Review the priorities and guidance shared at the 5th annual Economic Crimes Summit for relevance to your institution’s fraud detection protocols.
- Assess your organization’s coordination with the National Fraud Enforcement Division (NFED) and other federal, state, and local partners as highlighted in the summit.
- Update staff training programs to incorporate the latest typologies and red flags discussed by the DOJ and agency partners at the summit.
Why it matters
This story underscores the growing complexity and scale of fraud targeting federal programs, with significant financial and reputational risks for both public and private sector entities. The creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (NFED) and the collaborative approach among over 175 agencies signal a heightened enforcement environment. Compliance officers must stay informed about new priorities, typologies, and inter-agency coordination to ensure robust detection, reporting, and prevention of fraud, especially as oversight and prosecution efforts intensify.
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