Detecting collusion in government procurement: An approach using red flags and the Dempster-Shafer Theory

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36428/revistadacgu.v12i21.174

Abstract

In both public and private sectors, there is a growing number of fraudulent techniques and schemes perpetrated by individuals whose purpose is to misappropriate the assets of the target entities. Fraud detection is a complex activity as these individuals try to hide their actions so that they are not discovered. Given this, the objective of the present work is to present an approach that allows identifying and aggregating evidence related to red flag signals from the use of different data mining techniques, deriving a general measure of probative value that can be used to recognize bids in which collusion may have occurred between bidders. The results show that the proposal can help the investigation activities conducted by the inspection entities, as it helps to direct efforts to areas that concentrate a larger set of evidential elements.

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Author Biographies

  • Frederico Pinto de Souza, Secretaria de Estado de Controle e Transparência do Estado do Espírito Santo

    Doutorando em Ciências Contábeis e Mestre em Informática pela Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo. É Auditor do Estado no Espírito Santo e realiza atividades voltadas ao aprimoramento dos controles internos dos diversos órgãos e entidades do poder executivo estadual.

  • Fabiano da Rocha Louzada, Secretaria de Estado de Controle e Transparência do Estado do Espírito Santo

    Mestre em Informática pela Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo. É auditor do Estado na Secretaria de Estado de Controle e Transparência do Governo do Estado do Espírito Santo. Tem experiência na área de Ciência da Computação, Controle Interno Governamental e Transparência Pública.

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Published

2020-06-18

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 21 (2020): Revista da CGU, 21

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Articles

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How to Cite

Detecting collusion in government procurement: An approach using red flags and the Dempster-Shafer Theory. Revista da CGU, [S. l.], v. 12, n. 21, p. 80–99, 2020. DOI: 10.36428/revistadacgu.v12i21.174. Disponível em: https://revista.cgu.gov.br/Revista_da_CGU/article/view/174. Acesso em: 11 dec. 2025.