NYC Associate Fraud Investigator Exam |
Latest Update 2026/2027 | 200 Questions
and Verified Answers | NYC DOI Civil
Service Test Prep | A+ Graded
1. According to the NYC Department of Investigation’s mission, which of the
following is the primary objective of a fraud investigation?
A) To generate revenue through fines
B) To identify, prevent, and deter corruption, fraud, and waste
C) To prosecute all referred cases without discretion
D) To mediate disputes between City agencies
Answer: B
Rationale: DOI’s core mission is to root out corruption, fraud, waste, and
misconduct in City government. While fines and prosecutions may result, the
primary objective is safeguarding public integrity, not revenue generation or
automatic prosecution.
2. During an interview with a subject, they request to have an attorney present.
How should the investigator proceed?
A) Continue questioning but note the request
B) Immediately terminate the interview
C) Ignore the request if the subject is not in custody
D) Tell the subject an attorney can be present only at a hearing
Answer: B
Rationale: A clear request for counsel requires that custodial interrogation cease
immediately under Miranda. Even in non-custodial administrative interviews, DOI
,policy respects the right to representation to avoid due process violations.
Continuing would risk statement suppression.
3. Which of the following is a red flag for a shell company used in procurement
fraud?
A) The company has a physical office with a full-time receptionist
B) The business address is a residential apartment or P.O. box and the owner
cannot describe core operations
C) The company is listed on the NYC Payee Information Portal
D) The company’s bank account was opened five years prior to the contract
Answer: B
Rationale: Shell companies often lack genuine business substance. A residential
address or P.O. box combined with vague operational knowledge suggests the
entity exists only on paper to conceal fraudulent billing or kickbacks.
4. Under the New York Penal Law, intentionally making a false written
statement that is subscribed and sworn to before a notary public constitutes:
A) Petit larceny
B) Offering a false instrument for filing in the second degree
C) Perjury in the third degree
D) Falsifying business records
Answer: C
Rationale: Perjury in the third degree (PL §210.05) occurs when a person swears
falsely in a subscribed written instrument for which an oath is required by law. A
false sworn statement before a notary fits this offense. Offering a false instrument
for filing relates to submitting to a public office, not necessarily sworn.
5. An investigator obtains a document that appears to contain an altered date.
To preserve its evidentiary value, the best practice is to:
A) Place the original in a drawer and scan it later
B) Make a photocopy and discard the original to prevent tampering
C) Secure the original in an evidence bag, log it, and maintain chain of custody
,D) Highlight the alteration with a marker and initial it
Answer: C
Rationale: Original documents must be preserved unaltered. Chain of custody
documentation ensures admissibility. Marking or discarding the original destroys
evidence integrity; scanning alone does not replace proper handling.
6. In investigative report writing, which style is most appropriate?
A) Persuasive, using adjectives to convince the reader
B) Narrative, using first-person perspective and emotional language
C) Objective, factual, chronological, and free of opinion
D) Legal memorandum with extensive case citations
Answer: C
Rationale: Investigative reports must present facts neutrally. They are used for
administrative, civil, or criminal proceedings and must withstand scrutiny.
Objectivity, chronological order, and absence of conjecture are essential.
7. A City employee approves a contract for a vendor owned by their spouse
without disclosing the relationship. This is a potential violation of:
A) The New York City Building Code
B) The City’s conflicts of interest law (Chapter 68 of the NYC Charter)
C) The Freedom of Information Law
D) Vehicle and Traffic Law
Answer: B
Rationale: NYC Charter Chapter 68 prohibits public servants from using their
position for personal financial gain and requires disclosure of conflicts.
Undisclosed self-dealing in contracting is a classic conflict of interest violation.
8. What is the primary purpose of an investigative subpoena duces tecum?
A) To compel a witness to testify in court
B) To arrest a suspect
C) To compel the production of documents or records
D) To issue a search warrant
, Answer: C
Rationale: A subpoena duces tecum orders a person or entity to produce
documents, records, or tangible evidence. It does not compel testimony (subpoena
ad testificandum does that) nor is it a warrant or arrest tool.
9. Which database would be most useful to verify if a contractor has been
debarred from doing business with New York City?
A) NYS DMV registration
B) NYC Department of Buildings Violations
C) NYC Payee Information Portal (PIP) / VENDEX
D) LexisNexis Accurint
Answer: C
Rationale: The City’s VENDEX system (accessed via PIP) maintains integrity data
on vendors, including debarment, sanctions, and responsibility determinations.
DMV, DOB, and general background databases would not track City debarment
status.
10. When initiating a preliminary inquiry, the most critical first step is to:
A) Notify the subject of the allegations
B) Identify and secure relevant records before they can be destroyed
C) Issue a press release
D) Transfer the case directly to a prosecutor
Answer: B
Rationale: Early preservation of evidence (financial records, emails, timesheets) is
crucial to prevent destruction. Premature notification could lead to evidence
spoliation. The investigation must be developed before prosecutorial referral.
11. An investigator receives an anonymous tip alleging that a City inspector
accepts bribes. The tip is:
A) Sufficient to close the case as unfounded
B) Inadmissible and must be ignored
C) Enough to sustain an arrest without corroboration
Latest Update 2026/2027 | 200 Questions
and Verified Answers | NYC DOI Civil
Service Test Prep | A+ Graded
1. According to the NYC Department of Investigation’s mission, which of the
following is the primary objective of a fraud investigation?
A) To generate revenue through fines
B) To identify, prevent, and deter corruption, fraud, and waste
C) To prosecute all referred cases without discretion
D) To mediate disputes between City agencies
Answer: B
Rationale: DOI’s core mission is to root out corruption, fraud, waste, and
misconduct in City government. While fines and prosecutions may result, the
primary objective is safeguarding public integrity, not revenue generation or
automatic prosecution.
2. During an interview with a subject, they request to have an attorney present.
How should the investigator proceed?
A) Continue questioning but note the request
B) Immediately terminate the interview
C) Ignore the request if the subject is not in custody
D) Tell the subject an attorney can be present only at a hearing
Answer: B
Rationale: A clear request for counsel requires that custodial interrogation cease
immediately under Miranda. Even in non-custodial administrative interviews, DOI
,policy respects the right to representation to avoid due process violations.
Continuing would risk statement suppression.
3. Which of the following is a red flag for a shell company used in procurement
fraud?
A) The company has a physical office with a full-time receptionist
B) The business address is a residential apartment or P.O. box and the owner
cannot describe core operations
C) The company is listed on the NYC Payee Information Portal
D) The company’s bank account was opened five years prior to the contract
Answer: B
Rationale: Shell companies often lack genuine business substance. A residential
address or P.O. box combined with vague operational knowledge suggests the
entity exists only on paper to conceal fraudulent billing or kickbacks.
4. Under the New York Penal Law, intentionally making a false written
statement that is subscribed and sworn to before a notary public constitutes:
A) Petit larceny
B) Offering a false instrument for filing in the second degree
C) Perjury in the third degree
D) Falsifying business records
Answer: C
Rationale: Perjury in the third degree (PL §210.05) occurs when a person swears
falsely in a subscribed written instrument for which an oath is required by law. A
false sworn statement before a notary fits this offense. Offering a false instrument
for filing relates to submitting to a public office, not necessarily sworn.
5. An investigator obtains a document that appears to contain an altered date.
To preserve its evidentiary value, the best practice is to:
A) Place the original in a drawer and scan it later
B) Make a photocopy and discard the original to prevent tampering
C) Secure the original in an evidence bag, log it, and maintain chain of custody
,D) Highlight the alteration with a marker and initial it
Answer: C
Rationale: Original documents must be preserved unaltered. Chain of custody
documentation ensures admissibility. Marking or discarding the original destroys
evidence integrity; scanning alone does not replace proper handling.
6. In investigative report writing, which style is most appropriate?
A) Persuasive, using adjectives to convince the reader
B) Narrative, using first-person perspective and emotional language
C) Objective, factual, chronological, and free of opinion
D) Legal memorandum with extensive case citations
Answer: C
Rationale: Investigative reports must present facts neutrally. They are used for
administrative, civil, or criminal proceedings and must withstand scrutiny.
Objectivity, chronological order, and absence of conjecture are essential.
7. A City employee approves a contract for a vendor owned by their spouse
without disclosing the relationship. This is a potential violation of:
A) The New York City Building Code
B) The City’s conflicts of interest law (Chapter 68 of the NYC Charter)
C) The Freedom of Information Law
D) Vehicle and Traffic Law
Answer: B
Rationale: NYC Charter Chapter 68 prohibits public servants from using their
position for personal financial gain and requires disclosure of conflicts.
Undisclosed self-dealing in contracting is a classic conflict of interest violation.
8. What is the primary purpose of an investigative subpoena duces tecum?
A) To compel a witness to testify in court
B) To arrest a suspect
C) To compel the production of documents or records
D) To issue a search warrant
, Answer: C
Rationale: A subpoena duces tecum orders a person or entity to produce
documents, records, or tangible evidence. It does not compel testimony (subpoena
ad testificandum does that) nor is it a warrant or arrest tool.
9. Which database would be most useful to verify if a contractor has been
debarred from doing business with New York City?
A) NYS DMV registration
B) NYC Department of Buildings Violations
C) NYC Payee Information Portal (PIP) / VENDEX
D) LexisNexis Accurint
Answer: C
Rationale: The City’s VENDEX system (accessed via PIP) maintains integrity data
on vendors, including debarment, sanctions, and responsibility determinations.
DMV, DOB, and general background databases would not track City debarment
status.
10. When initiating a preliminary inquiry, the most critical first step is to:
A) Notify the subject of the allegations
B) Identify and secure relevant records before they can be destroyed
C) Issue a press release
D) Transfer the case directly to a prosecutor
Answer: B
Rationale: Early preservation of evidence (financial records, emails, timesheets) is
crucial to prevent destruction. Premature notification could lead to evidence
spoliation. The investigation must be developed before prosecutorial referral.
11. An investigator receives an anonymous tip alleging that a City inspector
accepts bribes. The tip is:
A) Sufficient to close the case as unfounded
B) Inadmissible and must be ignored
C) Enough to sustain an arrest without corroboration
