Bank Theft – Case Study

Covert Surveillance Recovers Large Sums of Money

Banks have long been the victims of money scams and can lose very large sums of money to fraudsters, this is a case study overview showing how covert surveillance plays a large part in a successful operation.

Background – A well known merchant bank loaned a substantial amount of money to a supposedly reputable businessman. The person in question (A1) appeared to be a bona fide trader: his references were sound and recommendations regarding his integrity came from the highest quarters.

Initially A1 kept up his repayments – however after a few months he defaulted on the loan and failed to reply to any of the banks’ correspondence and it soon became apparent that A1 was not the paragon of virtue that he had previously made himself out to be. Indeed, initial enquiries revealed that he was a serial defrauder. We were instructed to locate A1’s assets prior to court action.

Task - To Mount and maintain surveillance on A1 for a period of 14 days in order to discover the extent and whereabouts of his assets.

Execution – Although not living at the given address, A1 was traced and placed under surveillance. A1 was not an easy subject to follow as his tradecraft meant that he was necessarily alert and so great care had to be exercised. Nevertheless, we achieved our aim and during the course of the operation A1 led us to three business address, two expensive dwellings, a Porche Boxster as well as a Bentley Mulsanne Turbo.

Concurrent research revealed his bank account details and investments. Service of documents was then effected on A1, freezing his assets and compelling him to attend court to answer for his actions.

Result – A1 was successfully prosecuted and a large proportion of the money recouped