TY - JOUR T1 - THE ROLE OF FORENSIC ACCOUNTING SUPPORTED INTERNAL AUDIT IN THE PREVENTION AND DETECTION OF FINANCIAL FRAUDS: A CASE STUDY OF PUNJAB NATIONAL BANK (PNB) TT - FİNANSAL DOLANDIRICILIĞIN ÖNLENMESİ VE TESPİTİNDE ADLİ MUHASEBE DESTEKLİ İÇ DENETİMİN ROLÜ: PUNJAB ULUSAL BANKASI (PNB) ÖRNEĞİ AU - Kiziltan Işik, Burçak PY - 2025 DA - October Y2 - 2025 DO - 10.32951/mufider.1758340 JF - Muhasebe ve Finans İncelemeleri Dergisi JO - MUFİDER PB - Şuayyip Doğuş DEMİRCİ WT - DergiPark SN - 2630-5836 SP - 361 EP - 385 VL - 8 IS - 2 LA - en AB - In this study, the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud case was analyzed from a forensic accounting perspective to examine the role of internal audit in preventing financial fraud. The qualitative case analysis method was used to evaluate relevant literature and sources through descriptive content analysis. The analysis resulted in recommendations such as strengthening technological and internal control systems, structuring internal audit with forensic accounting techniques, and implementing employee rotation. The PNB scandal highlighted the importance of internal audit supported by forensic accounting, especially in cases of significant financial crimes originating from top management. It has been emphasized that the legal recognition, education, and integration of forensic accounting into corporate governance in countries like Turkey will enhance financial reliability. Specifically, SWIFT–CBS integration should be made mandatory in all banks, internal audit units should be established, and mandatory staff rotation should be implemented for sensitive positions. KW - Internal Audit KW - Financial Fraud KW - Forensic Accounting KW - PNB Scandal KW - Corporate Governance N2 - Çalışmada, Punjab National Bank (PNB) dolandırıcılık vakası adli muhasebe perspektifinden analiz edilerek iç denetimin finansal dolandırıcılığı önlemedeki rolü incelenmiştir. Nitel vaka analizi yöntemi kullanılarak ilgili literatür ve kaynaklar betimsel içerik analiziyle değerlendirilmiştir. Analiz sonucunda, teknolojik ve iç kontrol sistemlerinin güçlendirilmesi, iç denetimin adli muhasebe teknikleriyle yapılandırılması ve çalışan rotasyonu gibi öneriler geliştirilmiştir. PNB skandalı, özellikle üst düzey yönetim kaynaklı büyük finansal suçlarda, adli muhasebeyle desteklenmiş iç denetimin önemini ortaya koymuştur. Türkiye gibi ülkelerde adli muhasebenin yasal olarak tanımlanması, eğitimle desteklenmesi ve kurumsal yönetişime entegre edilmesinin finansal güvenilirliği artıracağı vurgulanmıştır. Somut olarak, SWIFT–CBS entegrasyonunun tüm bankalarda zorunlu hale getirilmesi, iç adli denetim birimlerinin kurulması, hassas pozisyonlarda zorunlu personel rotasyonu uygulanması önerilmektedir. CR - Aashima, Mohanty, B. & Kedia, N. (2023). Evaluating the significance of forensic accounting in fraud detection in the Indian banking sector: A systematic literature review. Gurukul Business Review, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.48205/gbr.v19.10. CR - Adesina, K., Erin, O., Ajetunmobi, O., Ilogho, S. & Asiriuwa, O. (2020). Does forensic audit influence fraud control? Evidence from Nigerian deposit money banks. Banks and Bank Systems, 15(2), 214–229. https://doi.org/10.21511/bbs.15(2).2020.19. CR - Akinbowale, O. E., Mashigo, P. & Zerihun, M. F. (2023). Integrating forensic accounting and big data technology frameworks for internal fraud mitigation in the banking industry. Cogent Business and Management, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2022.2163560. CR - Alfify, M. & Faiyyaz, A. G. (2020). The relevance of forensic accounting in the dynamic financial system of India: A study. International Research Journal of Modernization in Engineering, Technology and Science, 2(8), 1513–1519. CR - Al-Qadi, S. & Al-Dmour, A. H. (2022). Forensic accounting methods and reducing creative accounting practices: Evidence from Jordan. Jordan Journal of Business Administration, 18(4). https://doi.org/10.35516/jjba.v18i4.460. CR - Alsheikh, A. H., Alsheikh, W. H. & Kareem, H. M. (2023). Factors influencing the successful implementation of forensic accounting: An empirical study on academicians and practitioners. Humanities and Social Sciences Letters, 11(1), 10–21. CR - Alzoubi, A. B. (2023). Maximizing internal control effectiveness: The synergy between forensic accounting and corporate governance. Journal of Financial Reporting and Accounting, 23(1), 404–416. CR - Arachchilage, N. A. G. & Love, S. (2014). Security awareness of computer users: A phishing threat avoidance perspective. Computers in Human Behavior, 38, 304–312. CR - Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. (2020). Report to the nations: 2020 global study on occupational fraud and abuse. https://legacy.acfe.com/report-to-the-nations/2020/ Acesse date:10.05.2025. CR - Atabay, N., Yılmaz, E. & Kılıç, A. (2022). İç denetimin kurumsal yönetişim üzerindeki rolü: Türkiye bankacılık sektörüne yönelik bir değerlendirme. Muhasebe ve Denetime Bakış Dergisi, 21(3), 102–117. CR - Balyan, M. V. K. & Shah, H. M. (2024). Need of forensic accounting to detect and prevent frauds in banking industry of India. Asian Journal of Management and Commerce, 5(2), 554–559. https://doi.org/10.22271/27084515.2024.v5.i2g.397 CR - Business Today. (2018). PNB fraud: US bankruptcy court examiner nails Nirav Modi's aides. Business Today. https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/economy-politics/story/pnb-fraud-us-bankruptcy-court-examiner-nails-nirav-modi-associates-108935-2018-08-30 Access date: 14.08.2025. CR - Central Bureau of Investigation CBI, (2018). Access date: 22.08.2025 https://cbi.gov.in/press-releases/pnb-fraud-case. CR - Clavería Navarrete, A., y Carrasco Gallego, A. (2023). Forensic accounting tools for fraud deterrence: A qualitative approach. Journal of Financial Crime, 30(3), 840–854. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFC-03-2022-0068 CR - Clayton, M. M. (2006). Investigative Techniques. In T. W. Golden, S. L. Skalak, and M. M. Clayton (Eds.), A guide to forensic accounting investigation (pp. 295–311). John Wiley and Sons. CR - Demirović, L., Isaković-Kaplan, Š., and Proho, M. (2021). Internal audit risk assessment in the function of fraud detection. Journal of Forensic Accounting Profession, 1(1), 35–49. https://doi.org/10.2478/jfap-2021-0003 CR - Dewayanto, T. (2023). The role of forensic accounting in the detection and fraud prevention: A systematic literature review. Fokus Ekonomi: Jurnal Ilmiah Ekonomi, 18(1), 241–259. CR - Dun & Bradstreet. (2017). India’s Top Banks 2017. Accessed date: 22.08.2025 http://www.dnb.co.in/Publications/topbanks2017/ TopBanks2017.pdf CR - Dunaev, M., Плікус, І., Otroshchenko, L. & Zhukova, T. (2021). Forensic accounting: Concepts and prospects of application in Ukraine. Vìsnik Sumsʹkogo Deržavnogo Unìversitetu, 2021(3). https://doi.org/10.21272/1817-9215.2021.3-11 CR - ED (2019). Accessed date: 20.08.2025 https://enforcementdirectorate.gov.in/press-release CR - Eguando, T. (2023). Technological forensic auditing and financial crime detection in Nigeria: A study of selected deposit money banks. African Journal of Accounting and Financial Research, 6(4), 70–80. https://doi.org/10.52589/ajafr-gu8bxjad CR - Ehioghiren, E. E. & Atu, O. E. (2016). Forensic accounting and fraud management: Evidence from Nigeria. Igbinedion University Journal of Accounting, 2, 246–308. CR - Gangwani, M. (2020). Suitability of forensic accounting in uncovering bank frauds in India: An opinion survey. Journal of Financial Crime, 28(1), 284–299. CR - Gayathri, S. & Mangaiyarkarasi, T. (2018). A critical analysis of the Punjab National Bank scam and its implications. International Journal of Pure and Applied Mathematics, 119(12), 14853–14866. CR - Gbegi, D. O. & Adebisi, J. F. (2014). Forensic accounting skills and techniques in fraud investigation in the Nigeria public sector. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 5(3), 243–252. CR - Golden, T. W. & Dyer, M. T. (2006). The art of the interview. In T. W. Golden, S. L. Skalak, and M. M. Clayton (Eds.), A guide to forensic accounting investigation (pp. 349–364). John Wiley and Sons. CR - Görmen, M. (2021). Fraud risk management from an internal audit point of view. Uluslararası İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Dergisi, 7(1), 92–103. CR - Grubor, G., Ristić, N. & Simeunović, N. (2013). Integrated forensic accounting investigative process model in a digital environment. International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, 3(12), 1–9. CR - Hegazy, S., Sangster, A. & Kotb, A. (2017). Mapping forensic accounting in the UK. Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, 28, 43–56. CR - Hibshi, H. A., Vidas, T. & Cranor, L. (2011). Usability of forensics tools: A user study. In 2011 Sixth International Conference on IT Security Incident Management and IT Forensics (pp. 81–91). IEEE Computer Society. CR - Huber, W. D. (2012). Is forensic accounting in the United States becoming a profession? Journal of Forensic and Investigative Accounting, 4(1), 255–284. CR - Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). (2024). Accesed Date: 22.08.2025. https://www.icai.org/post/forensic-accounting-and-investigation-standards-board CR - Islam, M. J., Rahman, M. H. & Hossan, M. T. (2011). Forensic accounting as a tool for detecting fraud and corruption: An empirical study in Bangladesh. ASA University Review, 5(2), 77–85. CR - Izedonmi, F., & Okoeguale, I. P. (2012). Forensic accounting and financial crimes – Adopting the inference, relevance, and logic solution approach. African Research Review, 6(4), 125–139. CR - Jamal, A. & Singh, H. (2025). Examining forensic accounting's role in safeguarding Indian banking integrity. Financial and Credit Activity Problems of Theory and Practice, 1(60), 63–80. CR - Joshi, M. S. (2003). Definition of forensic accounting. Accessed Date:14.08.2025. Retrieved from http://www.forensicaccounting.com. CR - Karkacıer, A. (2023). Kurumsal yönetim bağlamında iç denetim ve bilgi ifşası ilişkisi. Enderun, 7(2), 293–312. CR - Karwai, M. (2004). Forensic accounting and fraud investigation for non-experts. John Wiley and Sons. CR - Kent, K., Chevalier, S., Grance, T. & Dang, H. (2006). Guide to integrating forensic techniques into incident response (NIST Special Publication 800-86). National Institute of Standards and Technology. CR - Khalique, F. & Srivastava, S. (2024). Nirav Modi: A case study on banking frauds and corporate governance. Lloyd Business Review, 1–16. CR - Kroll. (2023). 2023 fraud and financial crime report: Can technology stop the threat of economic, crypto and ESG crime? Retrieved from Accessed Date:14.08.2025.https://www.kroll.com/en/insights/publications/fraud/2023-global-fraud-and-financial-crime-report. CR - Kukreja, G. & Gupa, S. (2019). Gem of the Indian banking fraud: A case of systemic control failures at Punjab National Bank. Journal of Forensic and Investigative Accounting, 11(2), 366–379. CR - Ma, Y. (2024). Research on the optimization of the internal audit process in the background of big data. SJEMR, 6(8), 36–39. https://doi.org/10.54691/9jmwz089 CR - Matar, O. (2023). The role of forensic accounting strategies in reducing financial and administrative corruption cases. American Academic and Scholarly Research Journal, 91(1), 12–25. https://aasrc.org/aasrj/index.php/aasrj/article/view/2198 CR - Mehrotra, S. & Kopula, S. (2024, August). The big bank scam: Failure of corporate governance. International Journal of Indian Management. https://doi.org/10.1177/ijim.241237348 CR - Mishra, K., Azam, M. K. & Junare, S. O. (2020). Role of Forensic Audit in reducing NPAs in Indian Banks. Journal of Critical Reviews, 7(13), 3472-3477. CR - Ministry of Corporate Affairs. (2018). Constitution of the National Financial Reporting Authority. Accessed date: 22.08.2025 http://www.mca.gov.in/SearchableActs/Section132.htm CR - Modugu, K. P. & Anyaduba, J. O. (2013). Forensic accounting and financial fraud in Nigeria: An empirical approach. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 4(7), 281–289. CR - Narang, M. N. (2019). The increasing incidence of banking scams. Bodh: BPIT’s International Journal of Technology and Management, 5(2). CR - Narayanan, H. (2020). Forensic accounting and fraud examiner – An inquiry. Mukt Shabd. ISSN NO: 2347–3150. NDTV. (2018). RBI discontinues issuance of LoUs after PNB fraud case. NDTV. Acesse Date:14.08.2025.https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/rbi-discontinues-issuance-of-lous-after-pnb-fraud- case-1823424. CR - Odelabu, A. T. (2014). Effect of Forensic Accounting on the Financial Performance of Commercial Banks in Nigeria. Research Journal of Finance and Accounting, 5(8), 103–109. CR - Odeyemi, O., Ibeh, C. V., Mhlongo, N. Z., Asuzu, O. F., Awonuga, K. F. & Olatoye, F. O. (2024). Forensic accounting and fraud detection: A review of techniques in the digital age. Finance and Accounting Research Journal, 6(2), 202–214. CR - Okoye, E. I. & Gbegi, D. O. (2013). Forensic accounting: A tool for fraud detection and prevention in the public service (A study of selected ministries in Kogi State). International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 3(3), 1–18. CR - Owojori, A. A. & Asaolu, T. O. (2009). The role of forensic accounting in solving the vexed problem of corporate world. European Journal of Scientific Research, 29(2), 183–187. CR - Pham, Q. H. & Vu, K. P. (2024). Optimization of accounting information systems in the public sector for sustainable risk management under big data analytics: Do forensic accountants' skills generate differences? Foundations of Management, 16(1), 67–82. CR - PNB. (2017). Annual Report. Year ended March 31, 2017. Accessed date: 22.08.2025 https://www.pnbindia.in/document/annual-report/PNB_Annual_Report_2017%20_Full_Version.pdf CR - Prasetiyo, Y., Riyani, E. I. & Nugraheni, N. (2024). Detection of accounting fraud: Role of the internal auditor and whistleblowing data system in the study literature. Indonesian Journal of Business Analytics, 4(2), 503–516. CR - Pratama, C. W. A., Hasibuan, A. H. & Anggriyani, W. (2024). Maintaining integrity: The importance of professional ethics in the world of work. Instal: Jurnal Komputer, 16(03), 186–191. CR - Ramaswamy, V. (2005). Corporate governance and the forensic accountant. CPA Journal, 75(3), 68–70. CR - Rajya Sabha. (2018). Accessed date: 22.08.2025 https://sansad.in/rs/search. CR - Reuters. (2018). Developments in the $2 billion Punjab National Bank fraud case. Reuters. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/business/developments-in-the-2-billion-punjab-national-bank-fraud-case-idUSKCN1GK15U/ Acesse Date:14.08.2025. CR - Rezaee, Z., Lo, D., Ha, M. & Suen, A. (2016). Forensic accounting education and practice: Insights from China. Journal of Forensic and Investigative Accounting, 8(1), 106–119. CR - Saxena, A., Shaikh, Z. A. & Verma, M. (2024). Unveiling the global and Indian landscape of fraud: Investigating financial, geopolitical, and ecological consequences and countermeasures. Commerce Research Review, 1(2), 76–83. CR - Shekhar, D. (2020). Banking frauds: About the PNB scam. SSRN. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3687748 Shetty, A. S., Nagendra, B. V., Jeevananda, S. & Divakar, G. M. (2019). Imperative of revisiting the operational risk control architecture in public sector banks (PSBs) in India: A qualitative analysis. Banks and Bank Systems, 14(1), 137–146. https://doi.org/10.21511/bbs.14(1).2019.12 CR - Simeunović, N., Grubor, G. & Ristić, N. (2016). Forensic accounting in the fraud auditing case. The European Journal of Applied Economics, 13(2). CR - Singh, G., Srivastav, S., Gupta, A. & Garg, V. (2020, January). An analysis of financial fraud through the PNB bank scam and its technical implications. In 2020 International Conference on Computation, Automation and Knowledge Management (ICCAKM) (pp. 436–442). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICCAKM46823.2020.9051484 CR - Sravanthi, M. & Bhargavi, C. (2023). A comprehensive study on socio-economic implications concerning banking scams and frauds in India. International Journal of Research in Applied Management, Science and Technology, 8(2). CR - Srivastava, A. & Mishra, S. (2024). Behind the facade: The rise and fall of Nirav Modi and the PNB fraud case. International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts, 12(4), n302–n310. https://www.ijcrt.org/papers/IJCRT24A4531.pdf CR - Sudarmadi, D. (2022). Disclosure of money laundering through investigative audit and forensic accounting. JASA (Jurnal Akuntansi Audit dan Sistem Informasi Akuntansi), 6(2), 118–129. https://doi.org/10.36555/jasa.v6i2.1930 CR - Süklüm, N. (2020). Çevrenin sürdürülebilirliğinde iç denetimin rolünün turizm sektörü kapsamında incelenmesi. Uluslararası Türk Dünyası Turizm Araştırmaları Dergisi, 5(2), 216–229. The Times of India. (2018, March 13). RBI scraps bank LoUs in the aftermath of PNB fraud. Times of India. Accessed date:10.05.2025. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/rbi-scraps-bank-lous-in-the-aftermath-of-pnb-fraud/articleshow/63287397.cms CR - The Reserve Bank of India. (2016). Master Direction- Other Remittance Facilities. Accessed date 20.08.2025. https://rbidocs.rbi.org.in/rdocs/notification/PDFs/04MD5127742FD0914D54B5EC4ECA8076F325.PDF. The Reserve Bank of India Circular, 2018. Integration of SWIFT with the Core Banking System to be mandatory. Accessed date 20.08.2025. https://rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_CircularIndexDisplay.aspx?Id=11116. CR - Tiwari, R. K. & Debnath, J. (2017). Forensic accounting: A blend of knowledge. Journal of Financial Regulation and Compliance, 25(1), 73–85. U.S. Bankruptcy Court, SDNY, Case No. 18-10509. Accesed Date: 20.08.2025. https://pacer.uscourts.gov/ CR - Utama, A. A. G. S. & Basuki, B. (2022). Exploration of themes based Twitter data in fraud-forensic accounting studies. Cogent Business and Management, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2022.2135207 CR - Vutumul, A., Oshota, S. O. & Akinteye, A. S. (2025). Forensic accounting, internal control impact on Nigerian public sector fraud prevention: A descriptive analysis. Open Journal of Business and Management, 13(2), 781–808. CR - Wahyuandari, W. (2025). The role of forensic auditing in detecting and preventing financial fraud in organizations. The Journal of Academic Science, 2, 212–221. CR - Wahyudi, R., Martini, R., Ramadhana, R., Sari, K. & Amri, D. (2024). Internal controls, investigative audits, and forensic accounting can help prevent fraud. In Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Economics, Business, Social, and Humanities (ICEBSH 2023) (pp. 48–52). Atlantis Press. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-220-0_6 CR - Zysman, A. (2004). Forensic accounting demystified. In World investigators network standard practice for investigative and forensic accounting engagements—Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants. UR - https://doi.org/10.32951/mufider.1758340 L1 - https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/5123129 ER -