ACFE Wellington event: The Delta Variant of Deception: Unmasking a $1.8m Pandemic Fraud

Murray Lauder is a senior operational and governance leader with more than 35 years’ experience across defence, international security, and public-sector crisis response. His career includes frontline service with the New Zealand Defence Force, executive leadership of large-scale security operations in high-risk environments overseas, and senior leadership roles within New Zealand’s national COVID-19 response.

During the pandemic, Murray held senior roles within the Ministry of Health and Health NZ | Te Whatu Ora, operating inside fast-moving, trust-based funding and delivery models where speed, equity, and public accountability were in constant tension. His responsibilities included system design, operational oversight, and cross-agency coordination under intense public and political pressure.

In 2022, while embedded in the COVID-19 response, Murray identified early indicators of financial irregularity and initiated independent oversight that exposed a significant fraud involving public funds. His actions led to formal escalation, investigation, and eventual criminal convictions.

Now Branch Manager for Armourguard Security in Wellington, Murray continues to work in environments where risk, trust, and governance intersect. He brings CFEs a rare perspective: how fraud risk actually emerges inside crisis systems, what warning signs appear before evidence is obvious, and how ethical leadership decisions can either enable or disrupt fraud when controls are stretched.

ADMINISTRATION:

1. In person attendees (Wellington only): For those attending in person, please arrive prior to 5.30pm as the main doors close at that time.

2. Online attendees: For those attending online, please note the presentation will commence around 5:45pm. We ask that those who intend on attending online register at least 24 hours in advance of the event to ensure you receive the online link.