We are specialists in conducting sensitive and discreet investigations. If you have cause to believe you may have been the victim of:
• Fraud.
• Blackmail.
• Intellectual property theft or counterfeiting.
Or, you have an internal issue such as whistleblowing which requires investigation, then we can assist.
Prior to informing your legal team, the police and/or regulatory authorities, it is essential to first understand how long, widespread and entrenched the activity is. You are then able to make an informed decision as to how best to proceed.
Immediate financial losses aside, acting quickly is key to minimising any potential reputational damage and/or impact upon your clients or associates.
How we work
As every situation is unique, it is first necessary to understand the matter at hand. Upon receiving your brief, we will conduct a preliminary scoping exercise before recommending and agreeing an investigative strategy. This will most likely include, Human Source Intelligence (HUMINT) and surveillance, but could also include other investigative techniques such as the placement of an undercover operative or vehicle tracking.
Our final reports are always delivered in a concise, factual and court-ready format.
Case Studies
1. Fraud.
Ray Teehan
2. Blackmail.
A HNW client approached us for assistance after he became suspicious that he was being targeted by a Chinese woman intent on coercing him to engage in business transactions under threat of blackmail.
Our investigations quickly ascertained that her self-publicised credentials were fictitious and that she had a historical pattern of similar behaviour; positively identifying 2 of her previous victims in the process. We also managed to trace a publicity company in Beijing which the woman had engaged to improve her internet image; by removing historical negative articles and embellishing her profile by posting fake news. The client was presented with a comprehensive and informative report which irrefutably proved her to be a fraudster, thus enabling his legal team to cancel signed contractual obligations.
3. Brand protection.
We were engaged by a global tobacco firm to assist with identifying the major suppliers of their counterfeit product within: Germany, Poland and Sweden.
Having established a fake online company to enable us to pose as a major buyer and having monitored online forums and conducted discreet site visits to re-sellers within each country, we were able to positively identify several major suppliers. More significantly, we also established that the majority of the counterfeit product was originating from Ukraine and that the criminals were managing to circumvent the company’s brand protection measures, because company employees were actively colluding with them.
