Investors have gone nuts for foreign stocks tied to social networking applications. Note: The sterling debut for Youku.com (YOKU) -- the "YouTube of China" The fanfare accompanying the introduction of Yandex (YNDX) -- the "Google of Russia," The incredible rise in Sina (SINA) -- the...

Focusing on cash flow -- instead of the figures Wall Street is so fond of -- is a good way to measure a company's strength. That said, just like revenue and earnings, cash flow can be manipulated in order to hoodwink investors. Look out for these four signs that a company's pulling a fast one with cash flow.

For many companies, meeting or beating quarterly earnings estimates matters more than anything else. All too often, the drive to perform bleeds into a temptation to cook the books. But astute investors can see behind the numbers to glimpse the truth. Here are a few of the major red flags.

Enron may be the most infamous, but it's just one of many instances of financial chicanery in recent corporate history. Examples of such shenanigans are rich, ripe, and recurring, right up to the present.