Corporate Investigations
We offer asset searches and other types of investigations to examine a specific issue or suspicion. We get to the bottom of what has happened and can then verify or dismiss the information.
We use the same in-depth methods as in an Integrity Due Diligence but while a background check usually are unprejudiced, investigations often have a concrete starting point or hypothesis. This can be anything from an employee or supplier engaging in fraudulent activities to suspicions of plagiarism or theft of intellectual property.
Look Closer uses a wide range of open sources in combination with the client's own source material, such as e-mail logs, invoices, and other financial information. If there are suspicions that someone has been living beyond their means, we report assets in the form of houses, boats, or securities. The results of our investigations often provide a company's internal auditor and management team with the information required to determine whether to open a case, file a police report, or dismiss the suspicions altogether.
Corruption by Proxy
A client received a tip that an employee had some form of personal relationship with a local subcontractor. By mapping individuals and companies within the employee's network, several people were identified as recipients of payments from the client. Relatives of the employee, who had significant personal financial problems, were found to have other full-time jobs while simultaneously billing the client for equivalent full-time work in subcontracting assignments. Further investigation revealed that the employee was a co-owner of the company ultimately receiving payments from the client.
Fraud Within
A person in a position of trust with our client was suspected of living beyond their means. The suspicions were confirmed through local research in several countries. A further review and analysis of the person's computer and phone led to the identification of clear evidence of fraud in the form of forged signatures and invoices. By ensuring that the process was handled professionally, the client was able to pursue civil litigation and assist in the ensuing criminal investigation.