Post-Acquisition Fraud

A large construction materials company had recently completed an acquisition. Several months after the acquisition, the acquirer learned through a loyal employee that the former owner of the acquired company had been taking materials for his own gain and using company employees on his "side projects". The acquirer hired Fortress Global. Our forensic accountants were able to quickly uncover evidence to substantiate the claim. The paper trails, interviews and computer forensic examinations led to millions of dollars of defalcation and a pattern of fraud involving the owner and two of his chief financial aides.

Employee Kick-Back Scheme

A major retailer had learned of rumors that an inside buyer was receiving "expensive gifts" on a regular basis in the corporate offices and at home. A review of the accounting records and transaction documents from the buyers deals over the preceding 12 months uncovered suspicious activity.

Litigation

National law firm involved in a major case in federal court requires that a pivotal, adverse-party witness be interviewed in order to assess credibility and devise strategy. The witness' testimony is the key piece of evidence that fuels the lawsuit. The firm hires Fortress Global Investigations. Fortress Global Investigations private investigators quickly locate the witness in another state, meet with him and gain his confidence. Within hours, the private investigators secure a sworn statement from the witness that changes the entire course of the lawsuit to the benefit of Fortress Global's client. The client called a week later to express his exuberance over the work performed.

Background Check

A businessman, suspicious about his mother's new paramour, a quiet man 17-years her junior, engaged Fortress Global Investigations to conduct a complete background investigation on the subject.  Fortress Global Investigators and analysts discovered that the subject was arrested and charged many years earlier with the murder of his wife.  The charges were ultimately dismissed. Local news media searches and witness interviews indicated that the dismissal was due to lack of cooperation by the only eye-witness, his sister. Additionally, court record searches revealed that many years later a civil lawsuit by the subject ended unfavorably for him. The judge denied his claim for life insurance upon the death of his wife because he intentionally participated in his wife’s death. This evidence, records of multiple prior marriages and divorces and records of more recently committed petty crimes were instrumental in allowing the business man to successfully steer his mother out of the relationship.

Due Diligence

A contractor providing services for a large U.S. municipality was bought out by another foreign company. Required to perform due diligence on the new company's background, the city engaged Fortress Global Investigations to perform a due diligence investigation. Fortress Global Investigators performed an exhaustive examination of the company which included an examination of the company’s business history, background investigations on the company’s principles, and contacts with various sources who provided intelligence on the company. The investigators were able to provide a clean bill of health for the contractor.

Labor Law

A sales employee alleged she was being harassed by her supervisor, a company Vice President. The employee alerted the President and CEO to the harassment, who wanted solid evidence to support the employee's allegations before taking action against the Vice President. Fortress Global Investigators performed an extensive investigation of the alleged perpetrator which revealed a significant criminal record and a violent history. Fortress Global Investigations also installed a covert closed-circuit television system to monitor the premises and the Vice President's behavior. Fortress Global Investigations provided security to the company as they terminated the subject's employment and removed him from the premises.

Executive Protection

Fortress Global Investigations was retained by a major television production company to provide security and protection services to its cast and crew, which included several high-profile persons and celebrities, while filming in hostile areas in several African countries. Fortress Global's security personnel escorted the cast throughout their travels, outlined crisis management procedures for each of the environments the group traveled through and established liaison with local police forces in the respective cities the group traveled through.  Studio executives were very pleased with the level of security provided by Fortress Global Investigations, and subsequently contracted Fortress Global Investigations for protection services during later filming in another country.

Computer Forensics

Executives of a large national non-profit organization suspected that an employee had been disseminating sensitive company proprietary information over the internet. The allegation was that the employee was selling the company's information to foreign organized crime leaders for fraudulent use. Fortress Global Investigations was hired to determine whether and to what extent proprietary information was leaked and to document this evidence.

Fortress Global's computer forensic experts analyzed the suspect's office and personal computers. Meanwhile, Fortress Global Investigations’s investigators conducted several interviews and administered a voluntary polygraph test to the suspect. Once the investigation was completed and the suspect and other parties held accountable, Fortress Global Investigators reviewed the company’s IT security internal controls so that similar situations could be avoided in the future.

Personal Protection and Forensics

Fortress Global Investigations & Security was hired by an individual who was being threatened by an unknown entity. The client was receiving disturbing and grotesque letters through the mail and was concerned about his personal safety and that of his family. Fortress Global immediately assigned several close protection professionals to the client and his home. Fortress Global’s forensic experts analyzed the letters, assessing the threats as credible, and tried to develop a profile of the perpetrator. Fortress Global provided liaison with law enforcement to assist in conclusion of the matter.

Evidence Gathering and Law Enforcement Liaison

A reputable media company retained Fortress Global Investigations & Security to conduct a background check of a recently terminated employee that had been threatening and harassing the company and the staff. Fortress Global conducted an extensive investigation of the individual revealing a significant outstanding criminal record.

Fortress Global and our client were able to determine that the terminated employee was responsible for sending malicious correspondence to the company’s clients and shareholders. Fortress Global conducted an extensive investigation to secure evidence of the former employee’s behavior to present to multiple law enforcement agencies.