Building resilience against fraud: CGI's nine-pillar approach

Safeguarding grant programs from fraudulent activities is paramount, especially as improper payments continue to drain billions of dollars from federal programs annually.  

A September 2023 report by the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) estimates that between $100 billion and $135 billion in pandemic-era unemployment benefits were fraudulently obtained. As the five-year statute of limitations approaches, agencies are under increasing pressure to recover these funds.

CGI has developed a comprehensive solution to address these challenges through nine strategic pillars, each designed to enhance fraud detection, mitigation and prevention. Supported by robust metrics, these pillars demonstrate significant impact and return on investment (ROI), underscoring the urgent need for modernization and transformation to tackle this pervasive issue effectively.

• Centralized risk and fraud analysis tool

CGI's integrated platform consolidates data across programs, facilitating thorough fraud risk assessments. By leveraging external databases such as the Department of Treasury's "Do Not Pay" list, the tool streamlines data consolidation, reduces manual errors and enhances decision-making.

• Dynamic dashboards and real-time visualization

Customizable dashboards and heat maps provide real-time data visualization, enabling stakeholders to track program activity and detect anomalies. This enhances transparency, real-time monitoring, and stakeholder engagement while protecting Personally Identifiable Information (PII).

• Comprehensive document verification

Utilizing Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and forensic imaging tools, CGI ensures document integrity, minimizes fraudulent claims and builds trust in the application process. The Document Verification & Validation tool has identified over 60 altered grant application documents, improving data accessibility and scalability.

• Social media and dark web monitoring

By actively monitoring social media and dark web activities, CGI identifies fraudulent schemes and traces organized fraud attempts, increasing awareness of external threats and improving program integrity. This approach has led to over 75 cases being supplied to the Office of Inspector General (OIG).

• Intelligent automation and workflow optimization 

CGI employs Robotic Process Automation (RPA) to automate repetitive tasks, reducing manual workload and accelerating application processing, thereby increasing operational efficiency and reducing costs. Automated data collection and consolidation have significantly improved data quality.

• Advanced data analytics and fraud detection

Advanced data analytics models, including machine learning predictive analytics, provide real-time insights and increased accuracy in fraud detection, minimizing financial losses. As of 3/31/2025, the Fraud Detection/Payment Integrity tool flagged 52,656 applications, identifying $31.6 million in suspected duplication, while ensuring payment for 729,480 beneficiaries worth $415.6 million. Because the 9-pillar process is so proactive,16% of the grants were identified as fraudulent before they were ever processed, saving the government $63M.

• Continuous risk and internal control assessments

Regular assessments of internal controls ensure robust processes, prioritizing high-risk areas for immediate action and strengthening compliance with federal guidelines. Forensic account support has reduced overall risk by 25.4% since August 2023.

• Comprehensive technical assistance

CGI's dedicated helpdesk offers technical support for fraud prevention tools, improving issue resolution and user satisfaction.

• Training and education

Through webinars, one-pagers and workshops, CGI enhances stakeholder understanding of anti-fraud measures, increasing fraud awareness and compliance with protocols. Predictive analytics have facilitated 658 stakeholder engagements, identifying potential fraud patterns.

CGI's multi-faceted approach not only protects grant programs but also empowers organizations with the tools and knowledge needed to combat fraud effectively. The metrics underscore the tangible benefits and ROI achieved through these strategic pillars, reinforcing CGI's commitment to fraud prevention excellence.