In the era of technology-driven crime, when stolen money and intellectual property can be digitally transmitted in seconds, corporates are often handicapped while investigating frauds that occur in other countries, states a KPMG International survey.

In the survey, which involved senior business executives from 21 countries, 92 per cent of the respondents said they did not expect any abatement -- and many expect an increase -- in the number of international investigations in the coming year. Around 56 per cent said they had not implemented comprehensive investigation procedures, while 60 per cent of the executives maintained that conducting successful investigations remained key to success.

"Companies need effective fraud detection and investigative capabilities that are disciplined and fast," Deepankar Sanwalka, head - forensic services with KPMG India, said.

"Multinational organisations often develop one-size-fits-all investigative policies and procedures across many countries in which they operate. But each nation has its own, ever-changing regulatory and policing procedures that can stymie an investigation. Companies should establish broad investigative procedures, tailored to each respective country, ideally with a well-trained local team that knows the language, culture, legal and regulatory environments," he added.

Four of the top six challenges in conducting cross-border investigations deal with cultural and legal differences. Forty-five per cent respondents stated legal or regulatory environment as the biggest challenge in conducting cross-border investigations.

Almost 80 per cent of the survey respondents believed that in the next five years, proficiency in information technology would become even more important than it is now for the success of cross-border investigations.