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Guide to Combating Corruption & Fraud in Infrastructure Development Projects

  • Detection
    • Complaints
      • General initial interview questions
      • How to Generate Complaints and Reports
      • List of fraud reporting sites for Multilateral Development Banks
    • Red Flags
      • Red Flags Listed by Project Cycle
      • “Visible red flags” of Implementation Fraud
      • Proactive Fraud Detection Tests
    • Due Diligence
      • “Top Five” Due Diligence Background Checks
      • Free and Subscription Internet Sites
      • Local and On-Site Due Diligence Checks
      • Due Diligence Service Providers
  • Proof
    • Proving Common Schemes
      • Corruption Schemes
      • Bid Rigging Schemes
      • Collusive Bidding Schemes
      • Fraud Schemes
      • The Basic Steps of a Complex Fraud and Corruption Investigation
    • Elements of Proof for Sanctionable Offenses
      • Elements of Proof of Corrupt Practices
      • Elements of Proof of Obstructive Practices
      • Elements of Proof of Coercive Practices
      • Elements of Proof of Collusive Practices
      • Elements of Proof of Fraudulent Practices
  • Evidence
    • The Basics of Evidence for Investigators
  • Prevention
    • Anti-fraud Resources
Home » Proof » Most Common Schemes » Bid Rigging Schemes

Bid Rigging Schemes

The bid rigging schemes listed below are linked to corruption, as corrupt parties often rig the bidding process to favor the corrupt payer and to exclude other legitimate bidders.  As such, bid rigging schemes are both red flags of corruption and evidence of corrupt influence.  Click on each scheme for more information.

In some cases corrupt project officials will not tamper with the selection process by the methods listed below and will select what they believe to be the best bid or proposal.   They then will demand a bribe from the selected firm before they will sign a contract.  In this case the price of the bids or proposals may rise to cover the cost of the bribe, but the other red flags of bid rigging may be  absent.

Change order abuse

Excluding qualified bidders

Leaking of bid information

Manipulation of bids

Rigged specifications

Split purchases

Unbalanced bidding

Unjustified sole source awards

Category: Most Common Schemes

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