Which of the following scenarios is an example of a kickback scheme?

• A. A government official demands money in exchange for making a business decision
• B. A politician threatens to shut down a business if it does not pay a bribe
• C. A vendor inflates an invoice submitted to the company for payment
• D. An employee receives a payment for directing excess business to a vendor

Answer: (D)

Kickbacks involve someone who has influence over a business decision secretly receiving a payment in return for steering work to a particular vendor. In this scenario, an employee is paid for directing excess business to a vendor, which means the employee benefits personally for guiding more business to that vendor. That hidden payment, tied to the act of directing work, fits the pattern of a kickback and undermines procurement integrity by creating a conflict of interest and paying for influence rather than for legitimate services. The other examples describe different improper acts—bribery of a public official for a decision, extortion, and invoicing fraud—rather than a person within the organization being paid for steering business to a specific vendor.