The National Fraud Initiative
The National Fraud Initiative (NFI) in Scotland is a counter-fraud exercise led by Audit Scotland, assisted by the Audit Commission (our sister organisation in England). It uses computerised techniques to compare information about individuals held by different public bodies, and on different financial systems, to identify circumstances (matches) that might suggest the existence of fraud or error.
This page contains links to a range of documents about the NFI in Scotland that can be downloaded by the public and by audited bodies.
The NFI in Scotland is overseen by the Audit Strategy Group in Audit Scotland. Contact points are Russell Frith, Assistant Auditor General rfrith@audit-scotland.gov.uk and Owen Smith, Senior Manager (Audit Strategy and NFI) osmith@audit-scotland.gov.uk, or telephone 0845 146 1010.
Information about the UK NFI exercise can be found on the Audit Commission’s website at www.audit-commission.gov.uk/nfi.
Bodies participating in NFI in Scotland should note that they can update their contact details via the 2010/11 NFI secure website or by sending an email to nationalfraudinitiative@nfi.gov.uk.
First published September 2012
The 2012/13 instructions include important guidance and instructions for participating bodies including data requirements, data specifications and the 2012/13 timetable. It will be regularly updated throughout the exercise.
Published 31 May 2012
A national detection exercise by Audit Scotland and other public bodies has identified fraud and error overpayments, savings and other outcomes worth almost £20 million.
Published 12 November 2010
This Code of data matching practice was issued on 12 November 2010 under Section 26F of the Public Finance and Accountability (Scotland) Act 2000 (as amended).
First published June 2008, (last revised in September 2012)
This broader description forms part of the privacy notice for individuals whose information is submitted to Audit Scotland for the purpose of the National Fraud Initiative in Scotland.
20 May 2010 for the Auditor General / Accounts Commission
A further £21 million of outcomes have been identified following Audit Scotland's third biennial national fraud detection exercise. The exercise involves Audit Scotland working with a range of public bodies in Scotland and the Audit Commission in England, (who match the data for the exercise on our behalf).
15 May 2008 for the Auditor General / Accounts Commission
Almost £10 million worth of fraud and errors have been identified following a national detection exercise by Audit Scotland working together with other public bodies.
Published on 17 May 2006 for the Auditor General / Accounts Commission
Scotland’s councils have worked with other public bodies to identify £15m worth of fraud and errors in a national detection exercise.