In shell company schemes, why do perpetrators prefer billing for consulting services rather than tangible goods?

• A. Because services are intangible
• B. Because services are easier to verify
• C. Because services are cheaper
• D. Because goods are harder to deliver

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that the lack of a physical product makes it easier to disguise fraudulent charges. Because services are intangible, there’s no tangible item to point to as proof of work, so invoices for consulting can be described in vague terms and lack concrete deliverables. That makes it harder for auditors to verify what was actually performed, allowing fake or inflated bills to slip through. In contrast, goods come with inventory and delivery records that create a traceable paper trail, making discrepancies more detectable. So billing for services is preferred in shell schemes for that reason. The other choices don’t fit: services aren’t easier to verify (they’re harder to prove), cost differences aren’t the primary rationale, and goods aren’t inherently harder to deliver as a general principle.