Your company’s numbers don’t add up. Money is disappearing, but bank statements and financial records only tell part of the story.
While a traditional forensic accountant might identify that funds are missing, they often can’t uncover the full scope of the fraud or track where those assets have actually gone.
This limitation leaves many businesses with an incomplete picture – making recovery efforts and legal proceedings more challenging than they need to be. And according to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), in 2024 external auditors detected only 4% of fraud incidents, while internal auditors detected 15%.
The reality is that today’s fraudsters have become increasingly sophisticated, making the paper-trail approach insufficient on its own. They know how to cover their tracks in documents while leaving vital clues in their day-to-day activities – clues that only a licensed private investigator can effectively uncover and document.
That’s why modern financial fraud investigations require a more comprehensive approach: one that combines the analytical expertise of forensic accounting with the real-world surveillance and investigative capabilities of a private detective.
By merging these two disciplines, businesses can identify what was stolen and understand the crucial elements of who, why, and where those assets have gone.
The Paper Trail Doesn’t Cut It In The Digital World
When irregularities arise, the default response is to hire a forensic accountant.
These experts are good at what they do: pouring over financial records, bank statements, credit card transactions, and other paper trails to find the discrepancies. Their expertise in following the money is invaluable in quantifying the loss and identifying patterns of misappropriation.
But we live in a digital age, and sophisticated fraudsters don’t leave obvious trails in the official documentation. They’ve learned to manipulate records, create fake paper trails, and hide their tracks in ways that make traditional document review insufficient.
While forensic accounting can tell you $500,000 is missing from company accounts, they can’t tell you if that money is now in an offshore account or has been converted into luxury cars in a relative’s garage.
Bridging The Investigation Gap
This is where traditional methods fail, leaving an investigation gap that sophisticated criminals can exploit. Consider this scenario: A company controller is suspected of embezzlement. Standard forensic accounting review shows irregular transfers and suspicious expenses, but the paper trail stops at a certain point. The numbers tell you something is wrong, but they can’t tell you:
- Where did the stolen assets end up being located?
- What was the motive behind the action?
- Are there co-conspirators involved?
- Is the stolen money recoverable?
To fill this gap, you need a different approach – one that marries financial expertise with boots on the ground. As a licensed private investigation firm licensed in New York, Connecticut and Florida we’ve found that the best financial crime investigations require both.
The Power of Professional Investigation
This is where a private investigator becomes invaluable. While the forensic accountant tracks the paper trail, a trained private detective follows the human element of the case.
Through comprehensive surveillance and investigation techniques, we uncover the behavioral patterns and lifestyle indicators that documents alone could never reveal.
With licenses to operate in New York, Connecticut, and Florida, our team can follow the evidence wherever it leads across these jurisdictions.
This multi-state capability is crucial, as financial crimes often cross state lines. A suspect might live in Connecticut, work in New York, and funnel assets through properties in Florida – a pattern that requires seamless investigative capabilities across all three states.
Integrity One Solutions – Your Partner in Digital World Investigations
When you suspect financial fraud in your organization, you need more than just numbers on a page. You need the complete story.
Fraud investigation isn’t just about identifying missing funds—it’s about understanding the full scope of the scheme, uncovering hidden assets, and gathering actionable intelligence that can be used for recovery or legal proceedings.
By combining traditional forensic accounting with professional investigative services, our unique approach provides a comprehensive solution that answers not just “what happened,” but “why and how it happened” and, most importantly, “where did the money really go?”
Think about it: Would you rather have a report that just tells you money is missing, or would you prefer a complete investigation that:
- Documents exactly how the fraud was committed
- Reveals where stolen assets have been hidden
- Uncovers evidence that can be used in legal proceedings
- Provides actionable intelligence for asset recovery
Don’t Be A Victim – Get The Help You Need Today
If you suspect financial impropriety in your organization, don’t limit yourself to just a paper trail. As licensed private investigators serving New York, Connecticut, and Florida, we offer the unique combination of financial expertise and investigative capabilities needed to handle complex financial crimes.
Contact our team of private detective and forensic accountant professionals for a confidential consultation. Because when it comes to following the money, sometimes the most important clues aren’t found in spreadsheets—they’re found in the real world.
