As we step into 2021, it’s crucial to reflect on the prevalent types of cases that our clients have brought to us. Towards the end of 2020, several cases dominated our investigative services and teleclient consultations. Here, we highlight the top five most frequent types of cases.
1. Asset Search and Recovery
Consistently at the forefront, asset search and recovery inquiries often involve uncovering hidden or converted assets belonging to debtors. These assets might be concealed in various forms—bank accounts, corporate holdings, or other elusive classes. Typically, such searches stem from underlying events like legal disputes, judgments, or familial issues like divorce or contested probate.
2. The Rise of Online Scams
Surprisingly, after jumping from obscurity to the second position in the past two years, online scams have inundated our caseload. These scams, operating through social media platforms like Instagram or Facebook, swindle individuals out of significant sums. The schemes range from fake investment promises to real estate or cryptocurrency cons. Often, asset searches become an integral part of resolving these cases.
3. Electronic Device Data
The demand for extracting information from phones or other devices through forensic processes has surged. Clients seek deleted messages, photos, GPS histories, and more from these devices. Such data retrieval commonly plays a role in fraud or divorce investigations. The tools available for extracting hidden data have significantly advanced in recent times.
4. Corporate Fraud Investigations
Remaining a steadfast fixture in our top cases, corporate fraud inquiries involve employees, vendors, or customers diverting company funds or assets. Trusted individuals within a company often exploit their positions to siphon off money or inventory, necessitating a thorough investigation under the corporate fraud umbrella.
5. Divorce and death investigations
Rounding up our top five cases are investigations pertaining to divorce or death. These cases delve into asset matters as well as resolving family law issues such as child support, visitation rights, or property division. In cases of a deceased family member, investigations often revolve around property division, power of attorney, or executor status.
Leveraging professional investigations
A professional investigation, while not providing legal advice, offers valuable data to support legal claims. Our role as investigative agents is to provide factual, documented information to bolster your case. We strongly advise seeking legal counsel before taking action. Our consultations at teleclient.com and further insights at activeintel.com can assist in understanding these case types and potential outcomes.
