What degree do I need to become a fraud investigator?

There's no single required degree. A Bachelor of Business majoring in Accounting suits financial fraud work, while a Bachelor of Social Sciences majoring in Criminology suits investigation and law enforcement-focused roles. The Bachelor of Banking, Finance and Technology is also a strong option, providing expertise in banking systems, digital finance, cybersecurity, risk assessment and financial analysis.

Is there a subject that focuses specifically on crime and security?

Yes. Security and Crime Science is a genuine Waikato specialisation covering how crime happens and how it's prevented and detected, a strong pairing alongside a Criminology or Business major.

Do I need a formal qualification to become a fraud investigator?

Not always. Experience is highly valued in this field, and a relevant qualification in areas like law, finance, or justice and law enforcement can strengthen your application rather than being strictly required.

Can I specialise further with postgraduate study?

Yes. A Master of Security and Crime Science builds advanced expertise in crime detection and prevention, useful for more senior fraud investigation roles.

Will I gain investigative or analytical skills relevant to fraud work during my degree?

Yes. Criminology and Security and Crime Science both build analytical and research skills directly relevant to investigating fraud, while Accounting develops the financial literacy needed to trace and detect it.

How long does it take to become a fraud investigator?

A bachelor's degree takes three years, with a Master of Security and Crime Science adding a further one to two years for those wanting deeper specialisation.

Fraud investigator career

Kaitūhura hara taware

Fraud investigators check claims of fraud. They collect evidence, take statements, make reports and direct fraud detection and prevention planning.

$60,000 – $138,000 per year

Fraud examiner, fraud analyst, internal fraud coordinator, investigator, senior serious fraud investigator, team leader revenue fraud

Where our data comes from

What would you do as a Fraud investigator?

Fraud investigators

usually work irregular and long hours
usually work in offices and may travel locally
need to be methodical, accurate and identify and solve problems

Tasks

investigate reports of fraud and scams
collect evidence of fraud
check financial records for unusual activity
work with police and other agencies
interview people to get information
write reports on investigation findings
give fraud prevention advice
track new types of fraud and scams
train staff to find and report fraud

How can you become a Fraud investigator?

You usually need experience to become a fraud investigator and a qualification may be useful.

You may need

experience in similar work
a relevant tertiary qualification in law studies, banking and finance, justice and law enforcement or similar area
a driver licence
to pass a police check

If you're in school

You usually need NCEA Level 3 to do the study or training for this job.

Our Bachelor of Business gives you the accounting and finance knowledge to trace where money goes. Our Bachelor of Banking, Finance and Technology builds your skills in risk assessment and data management.

To understand offending and the justice system, study a Criminology major in our Bachelor of Social Sciences. You can also add a Forensic Psychology minor to any of our undergraduate degrees. Like all our undergraduate degrees, these include work-integrated learning.

After your degree, you can build specialist expertise with our Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma in Security and Crime Science. Both draw on psychology, statistics, computer science and geographic information systems to tackle real crime and security problems.

BBus

Where these qualifications can take you

Fraud investigation draws on skills from several different disciplines. Rather than one fixed pathway, a Bachelor of Business or Bachelor of Social Sciences can both lead here, depending on which side of fraud detection interests you most.

Common areas Waikato graduates in this space work in:

Corporate and financial fraud investigation
Insurance fraud and claims investigation
Government revenue and benefit fraud
Cybercrime and digital fraud
Police and law enforcement
Compliance and risk management

Fraud investigator FAQs

Scholarships

A range of scholarships are available to help with the cost of studying at Waikato. Options are available across a wide range of subjects and study levels, including scholarships for new students, current students and specific areas of study.

Find a scholarship

QS rankings

QS World University Rankings 2027

Waikato is ranked equal 293rd globally, placing us in the top 1.5% of universities worldwide, and 2nd in New Zealand by citations per faculty.

QS Ranking - Social Sciences & Management

Waikato is ranked 287th in the world by QS for Social Sciences & Management in the QS World University Rankings.

Student Centre

0800 WAIKATO

07 838 4176

info@waikato.ac.nz

Enquire now

International Enquiries

Monday – Friday NZT 1pm – 2am

+64 7788 0688

info@international.waikato.ac.nz

Enquire now

School of Social Sciences

School of Social Sciences, The University of Waikato, Ground Floor, J Block, Gate 1, Knighton Road, Hamilton

0800 800 145

alpss@waikato.ac.nz

Fraud investigator career