Forensic auditing and its role in the recovery of stolen assets

Abstract

Stolen asset recovery involves locating, securing, and returning assets obtained through financial fraud through legal mechanisms and the support of specialized tools. This study analyzed how forensic auditing contributes to asset tracking and recovery in cases of embezzlement in the oil services sector of Quito, Ecuador. The objective was to design a forensic audit methodology that strengthens the detection of irregularities, the collection of valid evidence, and the restitution of stolen resources. A non-experimental, mixed-method, descriptive-explanatory, cross-sectional study was conducted using surveys of companies in the sector. The results revealed a reactive approach to fraud, a lack of established protocols, limited training, and weak internal controls. It is concluded that forensic auditing is a key tool for preventing financial fraud, improving asset tracing, and ensuring the effective recovery of stolen assets.