Skip to content

Pentagon model

Definition

An extension of the fraud diamond by Jonathan Marks (2011) that adds arrogance as a fifth element, describing individuals so confident in their superiority that they do not rationalise the fraud at all. Associated with large financial-statement misstatement cases involving senior executives.

Related terms

Arrogance
In the Pentagon model, the belief that normal rules do not apply to oneself. Arrogance replaces or bypasses rationalisation: the perpetrator does...
Behavioural red flag
An observable action or pattern that suggests elevated fraud risk by signalling pressure, rationalisation, arrogance, or capability. Examples include living beyond apparent...
Capability
In the fraud diamond, the personal attributes that allow an individual to execute a fraud: seniority and authority, knowledge of controls and...
Fraud diamond
Wolfe and Hermanson's 2004 extension of the fraud triangle that adds capability as a fourth condition. The model holds that pressure, opportunity,...
MICE model
A motivational taxonomy derived from counterintelligence practice: Money (financial gain or need), Ideology (loyalty, grievance, or belief), Coercion (external pressure or blackmail),...

Explained in

Your journey to becoming a forensic professional starts here.

Practice with mock tests, learn from structured notes, and get your questions answered by a global forensic community, all in one place.