Today I want to talk about another instance when we are called in to complete an asset investigation. An attorney representing a business calls when there is suspicion that an employee is embezzling money from their employer.

When suspicion is aroused in the company, one of the first calls the company management makes is to their attorney asking for advice on how to handle the situation. When we begin such an investigation we might not be finding unknown accounts or even hidden bank accounts or hidden money – it might not be hidden at all. It might be a search for assets that indicate someone is living beyond their means or accumulating a large savings that is incongruent to their income.

A personal asset search can uncover stock accounts, offshore accounts or other overseas accounts as well as the normal banking facility where the person has a checking or savings account. Other assets such as large purchases of vehicles, jewelry, boats or real estate is often revealed as well by a personal asset search investigator.

As professional investigators, we know how to follow each thread that can lead from money in the bank to a purchase or ownership of some tangible asset. Or, a thread could lead us to another account that has truly been hidden away. We know how to trace each thread until the truth is revealed.

Once an attorney is provided the facts by the asset search investigator, our job is done. That is, unless there is a need for us to testify in court at a later date.  Not every investigation results in uncovering embezzlement, but our experience tells us that when there is a suspicion, there is doubt that cannot be erased until the truth is revealed – one way or another. That’s how International Investigators can help.

-T. Wilcox, CEO, International Investigators

-B. McGinley, Director of Operations, International Investigators

If a subject has lived in a number of counties and states, that could be a major stumbling block for online search companies. Sometimes the subject has not divulged every place they have lived and that omission can result in incomplete or inaccurate information in the end.

For example, those who provide due diligence services know that there is no main comprehensive database that includes total state or national records.   There are 3,140 counties and parishes in the US.  And county records must be researched county by county. Those types of records would include criminal records, litigation and lawsuit records, property ownership records and even driving records.

Geographic links open avenues of investigation in the due diligence process that might be overlooked if an investigator does not pick up the phone and call the county clerk. It must be done manually and takes time. Plus, many counties across the nation still maintain their records by hand. Most online background check services usually rely solely on digital records.

Finding geographic links is one reason why a subject is asked to list previous residences on applications and in background information. What used to be a couple of locations around the county are now often residences in several states.  Now many business’s HR due diligence checklists reflect this change but people requesting background checks for personal reasons don’t often consider it.

We are often asked to conduct due diligence background checks on people who have met through online dating sites. Where a person has lived throughout their life may not be something that can be answered by our client, but it is information that could be important to providing a complete picture of the subject.

So, if you are considering hiring an investigator to perform due diligence or a background check, do your homework. Besides aliases (names the person has also used like maiden name, former married names, etc.) and accurate social security number, find out where this person has lived.

In most cases, International Investigators suggests the subject sign a form authorizing the investigation.

-T. Wilcox, CEO, International Investigators

-B. McGinley, Director of Operations, International Investigators

The wife accused the officer of harassing her by sending threatening text messages. He was on the verge of losing any custodial rights as well as his job when his attorney contacted us.

Proving no harassing activity on his phone was moot in this situation because it could be alleged that he was using prepaid phones, not his, for the messages.

Our team went to work. First, through cell phone forensics we were able to identify the source of the calls then we requested the records data for those phones from the service providers. At that point, we mapped the cellular location evidence and, using cell tower location and cell tower triangulation determined the officer could not have made the calls in question.

Because the location of his patrol car is recorded, it was determined that he was not at the same location where the threatening messages originated. That excluded the officer as the initiator of the calls. But the calls continued.

One of the phones was found in the bushes in front of the officer’s home. He had no explanation.

The person originating the calls was uncovered when the wife called in to the police station to report a threat ON ONE OF THE PHONES USED TO ORIGINATE THE THREATS! In the end, it was discovered she had nine or 10 different prepaid and throw-away phones and was using them to send herself the threats.

She got confused and tripped up her own plan – much to the officer’s benefit.

Mobile phone forensics comes into play in many different instances – to prove innocence or guilt. Cell phone forensics tools are used in cell phone spyware detection or cell phone hack detection as well as for cell phone tracking. Whatever the reason, International Investigators is ready to uncover the truth.

-T. Wilcox, CEO, International Investigators

A cell phone forensic analysis can include what is called a password bypass. In fact, we have been asked to uncover passwords that had been lost or forgotten. That is possible for just about any phone – except the Blackberry.

Instead of letting someone into the phone, it destroys data on the device. That explains why Blackberry is the preferred device for CEOs, political leaders (like the President), military and government agencies. Any organization that requires the most secure confidentiality opts for the brand.

Users complain about the functionality and usability, but for the security of data, Blackberry is the way to go.

For all other brand users, cell phone spying is a greater possibility. Cell phone monitoring or spyware is suspected most often when others have information that should not be available to them. Other signs of cell phone surveillance could include:

• Background voices during calls
• Background beeps and clicks during calls
• Flashing or flickering of display
• Slow Internet access
• Decreased battery life
• Phone battery is warm

If you are concerned about someone listening to and following you on your phone, mobile phone spyware detection is possible through cell phone analysis – as long as it isn’t a Blackberry!

-T. Wilcox, CEO, International Investigators

You might be interested to know that a vast majority of computers and electronic equipment (even phones) that are donated to charity or sent to a recycling center still have confidential and corporate information on the drives.

Computer forensic analysis can recover data even though users think the information has been “deleted.” In fact, in many cases, after completing a computer forensics electronic discovery service, International Investigators uncovers evidence.

As a computer forensics consultant, International Investigators can work with companies and organizations to develop a security policy and procedure in regard to retired electronics. That single step in your IT security program could prevent a security leak that would compel you to call International Investigators to undertake a computer forensics investigation. Chances are that you would rather be proactive and establish standard operating procedures rather than being in a legal situation where you need a computer forensics expert witness in court.

Digital forensics is a growing field because information – even confidential and proprietary information – is stored digitally instead of in file folders on sheets of paper. Even if you consider old hardware has old information on it – do you want to take the chance that it could be released?

-T. Wilcox, CEO, International Investigators

According to an ESPN article from April, 2012, there were allegations that New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis had an electronic listening device installed in the Superdome that allowed him to eavesdrop on visiting coaches for nearly three NFL seasons.

Football in America is much, much more than just a game – it’s full of multi-million dollar businesses – and the competition on the field is only a small bit of the competition between the teams.

Cell phone tapping makes spy equipment mobile for sure, but when locations are suspect, bug detection is possible through Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM). Locations could be any space from offices and conference rooms to locker rooms and coaching suites at the Superdome.

A TSCM sweep covers electronic bug detection. Once ensured the area is clean, steps can be taken to prevent other spy listening devices into the area. For example, participants in meetings or discussions might have to turn in all cell phones, microphones and recording devices before engaging in the meeting.

If you or your organization has confidential and proprietary information to protect, don’t take a chance. TSCM services can be provided quickly by International Investigators so you can be sure your secrets are safe – and your competitive edge is fair – and protected.

-T. Wilcox, CEO, International Investigators

In many instances, even when you feel you have evidence to prove yourself 100% correct in your suspicions, cheating spouses may vehemently deny the allegations. If you have been together for a long time and share children and deep family ties, it’s very difficult to walk out on a whim.

Don’t agonize and worry. Don’t try to second guess what is or isn’t going on when you talk to your attorney. International Investigators has been in the business of private investigations for many years and work with attorneys to get the facts and the truth you need.

Cheating spouse surveillance gives you the information you need to make an informed decision. These are times when surveillance to uncover a spouse having an affair is most productive:

• When your spouse tells you he has a last-minute business trip but the details are sketchy
• On the day before or day of his or her birthday
• The Thursday before or Monday after a long holiday weekend
• The day before Thanksgiving or the Friday following
• A couple of days before Valentine’s Day or lunch time on Valentine’s Day since he will be expected to be with you that evening
• During any evening when he or she does not invite you to attend a company event
• Dec. 23, lunch time on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve

No matter how difficult it is to finally make the decision to call in an investigator, your suspicions can either be put to rest or dealt with; and isn’t peace of mind what you need? And peace of mind comes from knowing the facts.

Not every investigation results in uncovering a secret affair, and an unfaithful husband or unfaithful wife. But they do result in the truth.

-T. Wilcox, CEO, International Investigators

-B. McGinley, Director of Operations, International Investigators

The computer forensics experts at computer forensics companies like International Investigators have tools and resources – and the knowledge – to complete a computer forensic examination and, if possible, uncover data and information that was believed to be erased or eradicated.

Spyware removal is not the only reason a forensic investigator is called onto a case, even though digital forensics services can be used as spyware detectors and spyware removers. But data extraction is another of the computer forensic services often requested by attorneys, municipal organizations as well as private individuals and groups.

The thing is that computer investigation and computer forensic analysis requires a very specific process and protocol. Improper handling could result in the destruction of data or data that may not be admissible in a court of law. That’s why a computer forensic specialist is called in to extract data to be used as evidence and to also be a computer forensics expert witness as to the process and evidence collected.

If you suspect you will need to use the data extracted from a computer in a court of law – even if the hardware is damaged, contact a forensic investigator, like International Investigations to do the job.

-T. Wilcox, CEO, International Investigators

When it comes to financial settlements and property division, it’s not uncommon for spouses to try to hide assets in divorce. This is the time for you to take action to uncover unknown assets or missing assets.

International Investigators has a vast array of resources to find hidden assets. Asset investigation looks to locate hidden bank accounts, hidden retirement funds and even finding international accounts.

These are some of the types of situations we uncover during a personal asset search or business asset search when spouses are hiding money in divorce:

• lines of credit or property ownership that do not include both spouses’ names
• one spouse has possibly repaid a phony or fake debt to a friend or family member in an effort to keep hidden money from you
• Business owners can also hide money by paying wages to non-existent employees
• We may be able to locate hidden bank accounts set up as custodial accounts in children’s names. A red flag is if those children are not born to the two of you. The money could be legitimately set aside for college, but it could also be a ploy hiding money in a divorce.
• Known and unknown bank accounts can be analyzed for substantial purchases and unknown assets you may not know about

The results of an asset investigation are turned over to your attorney. With the facts, you and your attorney can make decisions. If your soon-to-be-ex signs legal paperwork that he is, indeed, offering all financial information but you have proof otherwise, it can be dealt with legally.

-T. Wilcox, CEO, International Investigators

-B. McGinley, Director of Operations, International Investigators

Even in an industry you might not suspect – the hotel and hospitality world. Starwood Hotels & Resorts accused Hilton of industrial espionage in 2009. Apparently Starwood lost 10 executives and managers to the Hilton chain and Starwood alleged that the departing employees downloaded massive amount of documentation before departing.

This is a situation where a computer forensics specialist can undertake a computer forensics investigation to uncover what was done on each of the computers owned by Starwood and used by the departing employees.

Once the computer forensics examination is complete, the evidence uncovered can be used in a court of law and the technician can testify as a computer forensics expert witness – both to the protocol used in the computer forensics electronic discovery and about the information uncovered.

This particular case was settled before it ever went to court – and Hilton was required to make payments to Starwood, and refrain from forming a competing luxury hotel brand until 2013. Since 2013 is here, we’ll see what develops on that.

The point is that whatever competitive edge you have – whatever special something your organization does – anything that sets you apart and above the competition could be a reason for corporate or industrial espionage. Forensics consultants, like International Investigators can work with you to identify potential threats and vulnerabilities. Not limited to physical eavesdropping or cell phone spying, computers can reveal covert actions.

Spyware detectors are one aspect of keeping your information safe, computer forensic services are another. Protect your organization, have systems in place to prevent or reduce the impact of espionage on your business. Experts in computer forensics investigations can help.

-T. Wilcox, CEO, International Investigators