Criminal Defence

Insurance Investigations assist where fraudulent insurance claims are a growing problem in the Ghana. It is estimated that as many as five percent of Ghanaian adults have submitted a fraudulent claim at some point in their lives, and with increased court awards and injured parties becoming more aware of high compensation payouts, it looks likely that our claims culture will continue to grow.

At Abicus Security, we have acted on behalf of many of the leading household insurance companies, and businesses to investigate any suspicious and potentially fraudulent claims. We offer a full range of insurance investigations with a 24-hour service, and present our findings in a comprehensive report that is admissible at a court or tribunal.

We begin each case by taking note of the full case details, and discussing your suspicions with you. We will present the different options available, and then carry out the investigations according to your exact specifications.

Sometimes our investigations are carried out covertly, without the knowledge of the claimant. For example, if a claimant is claiming a physical injury but is caught playing football or enjoying rides at an amusement park, simple photographic or video evidence will be sufficient to avoid a payout. However, if necessary we can also visit the claimant and interview them to judge the validity of their claim.

If you have a suspected fraudulent or dishonest claim that you want investigated, contact Abicus Security Investigations Department today to see how we can help you.

Every year, asset recovery demand increases, when many companies fall victim to the theft of company assets. If you’re the owner of a company, or a director, executive or departmental manager, this can be a distressing and disheartening time. It can also prove difficult for company morale, as all employees will feel under suspicion and a lack of trust could spread throughout the company.

At Abicus Security, our dedicated highly trained team of private investigators has the skills and experience to track down company assets, to locate the person or people responsible for the theft.

Company Assets

Company theft comes in many forms. It could be a disgruntled employee stealing money or items such as laptops or mobile phones. Often it involves the loss of bigger items including company vehicles, machinery, or other goods or equipment used in your business.

Alternatively, the person responsible could be a former employee, business partner or associate, or even a visitor or contractor to your site.

Whatever the circumstances, our detectives will carry out a thorough investigation in order to uncover the truth, and locate and return your property to you.

Asset Recovery Investigations

Our asset recovery services include investigating and recovering lost or stolen property for insurance companies, businesses and individuals. We have worked alongside many insurance companies on asset recovery cases, gathering as much information as possible in order to determine the circumstances of the theft and recover the stolen items.

We approach each case with the same level of focused determination to establish all relevant facts in a cost-effective and speedy manner.

The work we carry out includes local investigation and intelligence work, use of hidden cameras, plus detailed investigations into the lives of suspected employees or contractors.

Worldwide Recovery Services

Abicus Security has the capability to track down assets from all corners of the globe, and we always work within the legal requirements of each country.

Once your assets have been located, we can recover them and deliver them to the destination of your choice.

Abicus Security can provide worldwide asset recovery services to locate, track and recover lost or stolen company assets. If your company has suffered from the loss of assets, leaving you at risk of financial distress and low company morale, contact Abicus Security Investigations today, and we will provide you with a proven asset recovery solution.

Confidentiality is of the utmost importance to us, and we carry out our investigations in a professional and reputable manner. Call us now on the number below or use our contact us to discover how we can help.

Why Hire a Private Investigator?

Essentially, a private detective is a regular citizen with the same rights and access to information as other citizens, so why hire one?

Private detectives are excellent at their jobs. They are adept at searching for information online, and in the locality of on investigation, they have the ability to watch and listen to their targets without being obtrusive. Because they’re independent of the parties involved, they have a degree of anonymity which means people are more likely to let their guard down and let something slip.

Solicitors have heavy caseloads to juggle, companies have businesses to run, and private individuals have their own lives and jobs to consider. But a private detective has the time and attention to focus on your case. They also enjoy more freedom than police or those in the legal profession who often have strict time scale procedures to adhere to.

Surveillance and Information Gathering

Almost every investigation involves some form of surveillance. Our experienced team of detectives uses a combination of traditional and modern techniques to ensure we obtain strong evidence that’s admissible in a court of law or tribunal.

We have access to a range of overt and covert cameras, and all our camera footage comes with a date and time stamp for use in court. We use state-of-the-art vehicle tracing systems with the ability to pinpoint the location of a vehicle at all times, and we provide physical surveillance where necessary.

As a detective agency, we’re skilled at identifying witnesses who could be pivotal to a case, and we’re specialists at compiling detailed and comprehensive witness statements.

Once we’ve gathered all the available evidence, we will present it in a clear, concise and comprehensive report that’s admissible for use at all forms of courts and at a tribunal. Where necessary, we will also attend at a court or tribunal to give testament to that evidence.

If you need help gathering information for a case, give us a call today to find out how we can help you.

Abicus Security is knowledgeable in legal requirements of process serving in the GHANA and our tenacious process servers can help speed up the process.

If you are looking for a Process Server, Insight are here and ready to help. Process serving can be complicated, it does not just require handing over documents, you need to ensure that all legislation relevant is adhered to. Get it wrong and it can seriously affect the out outcome of a case.

Our team of Process Servers can cover the whole of the Ghana, with a lot of experience, assisting our legal and solicitor clients, together with the increase in the general public commencing matters themselves, we act with complete discretion and sped to serve documents in line with your instructions and current legal requirements.

We are fully familiar with the laws and requirements of all courts in respect of the service of documents in the Ghana, and ensure that service is affected professionally, legally and on time.

What Abicus Security offers within our Process Serving service:

• We offer same day collection of documents – and can collect from your office if required.
• We can offer competitive rates on bulk process, starting from GHS199+VAT.
• We make multiple visits for a fixed inclusive fee – which is always agreed at the time of instruction.
• No additional fees are charged without your prior knowledge.
• Preparation of Affidavits – Certificates of service.
• We work outside 9am-5pm – Unsociable hours are our business!
• FULL Professional Indemnity Insurance.
• Corporate Members of The World Association of Professional Investigators.

Our Process Serving Fees

• Standard Process Serving – 3-7 day turnaround – GHS700 – GHS1000 + VAT depending on complexity.
• Urgent same day serving – £GHS1,500 -GHS2,000 + VAT depending on the area/complexity.
• Urgent same day serving long distance – GHS530 per hour + VAT and GHS1.00 per mile + VAT.

Process Servers

A Process Server requires a high level of legal knowledge to ensure the job is completed correctly. It is a lot more than just handing a set of documents to another person; it’s about making sure the process is served correctly in every case. All our process servers are regularly trained and updated on changes that directly affect how they carry out their job in line with recent legislations.

If the documents require to be served overseas, we are fully equipped to complete the job. Any country which is a member of the Hague Convention will have reciprocal arrangements in place for the document to be served. We are constantly aware of and always work within these rules and requirements. Pricing can vary depending on the country so please contact us for a quotation.

If it is required, our Process Servers will be as tenacious as necessary, using all direct methods allowable within the law to ensure that the documents are served to your exact instruction. Our clients have been instructing us for over 20 years and they are continuously satisfied with the results and methods of our work.

Let us help you work out the best way to effectively serve your documents.

Process Serving

Our process serving service is engaged for an array of documents, from Statutory Demands through to Bankruptcy Petitions, Claim Forms, Divorce Documentation and more.

There are many reasons why you should enlist the services of a process server. These are the documents that we are engaged to serve, and the process that must be followed:

Statutory Demands

This is the first stage of bankruptcy. Anyone can compile a statutory demand to be served as it is not issued by the court. They can be served on both individuals and companies and is in relation to a debt. Statutory Demands can be either be personally served, or go through a process known as Substituted Service if the debtor is difficult to contact, where you confirm the debtor is still living at the address provided, then you send a letter of appointment via post confirming that you will be returning on a certain date and time.

If the debtor is still not there on the date and you can again confirm that they are resident at the address, you can post the Demand through the letterbox. With regards to companies, the Demand should be left with the most senior person in attendance such as a Director. However, if the premises are closed the Demand can be attached to the front door in a clear plastic wallet or posted through the letterbox.

Bankruptcy Petition

This is the second stage of bankruptcy, and this document is issued by the Court, with a scheduled hearing date.

These can only be personally served; however, a letter of appointment can be sent. On the return visit, if the Debtor is unavailable, you are not permitted to post this through a letterbox like you can with a Statutory Demand. If you are unable to serve, you would be required to prepare an Affidavit/Statement in Support of an Application for Substituted Service which is then taken to the court and authority would be given for it to be left at the address if you have enough evidence that the Debtor is still living at the property and is clearly avoiding service.

Claim Forms

This type of document can be served in a manner of ways. They are issued by the Court and you can serve by leaving them at the address, handing to another named individual at the address, by personal service to the Defendant and also at the Defendants work address. They can also be left at the last known address.

Divorce Documentation

This legal document would come from a Solicitor client and would require personal service on the Respondent. On occasions, private clients also instruct us to serve Petitions on their behalf. If personal service was not possible, we would prepare an Affidavit/Statement of Attempted Service which would be shown at court, and then they would give authority for it to be letterboxed at the address, as long as you had enough evidence to prove that the subject was still residing there.

This legal document must be personally served. This is a document in relation to debt, whereby the court is requesting the debtor to attend court so they can be questioned. This is the first part of the order, and the second part is known as a committal order. This informs the debtor that they are requested to be imprisoned for a period of x amount of days as they did not attend the previous hearing.

Winding up Petitions

These legal documents are Orders to wind up companies. They are served at the Registered Office of the company in question, and if necessary are left with a person in authority. On frequent occasions the Registered Offices tend to be at the companies Accountants or Solicitors, so the document can be left with a named person there who authorise they have authority to accept the Petition on the clients behalf.

Traveller Proceedings

These proceedings relate to Travellers who are invading a piece of land owned by a large company or individual for which our Solicitor client are representing. Most clients request us to attend the local court to have the documents issued with a hearing date, then attend the land and serve the papers, by handing them to individuals, putting them on caravans/vehicles and also affixing them to stakes around the land.

Service Injunctions

These Injunctions related to the servicing of gas boilers at housing association properties, or any rented property. They require serving if the tenant has not allowed the service engineer access into their property to service the equipment much of which by the law has to be done at least once a year. These documents are issued by the court, and require serving upon the tenant. On some occasions, we find that the tenant has moved out of the property without informing the Housing Associations, so this is also a good way of checking residence of the tenants.

Licensing Notes

These documents should be displayed outside premises prior to application of a licence to open a public house, nightclub or similar premises. Their purpose is to advise nearby residents of the procedure, should they have any objections. These notices should be checked on a daily basis for a period of 14 days and replaced if they are removed.

At Abicus Security, using a combination of skills and talents, we are able to ascertain the true financial circumstances of your errant debtor. Undertaking a background check is one of these first steps.

This information is then given to you in a detailed status report that will include our informed and independent opinion regarding their ability to repay the outstanding debt.

Also, if an approach is to be made, any payment proposal that they may offer will be duly reported.

We are also in a position to undertake worldwide status enquiries using overseas confidential contacts with the relevant knowledge and language skills.

Property Repossession

We are able to take instructions and to act on your behalf if you need to regain control of your property, having abandoned all hope of payment. Alternatively it may be that you need company property recovering from an ex-employee.

At Abicus Security we recognise the need for tact and diplomacy when repossessing property; Our experienced agents are selected for their ability to remain professional and objective therefore minimizing the potential for conflict.

We believe that we have a much higher success rate employing this attitude and have successfully retrieved property for many clients, working in conjunction with the relevant official bodies when necessary.

To assist in tracing investigations, we have our own specialist In-house Tracing and Research division utilising experienced personnel, using a variety of methods and confidential sources ensure a high success rate in our tracing investigation service.

It can be said that much information is now available in open source information available to the general public; sometimes it’s using the skills of a seasoned investigator to know where to look that resolves cases.

It may be a beneficiary to a will or someone lost touch with through time and distance. More usually it will be debtors avoiding responsibilities; the people on whom you are trying to serve papers, and missing witnesses with vital evidence for your clients’ case.

It can be a most frustrating and costly experience to have right on your side, but to be without the means of exercising it by not being able to locate the debtor. The service that we offer at Abicus Security can often help in such situations, saving individuals or companies considerable time and money.

Looking for a missing person can be fraught with difficulties if they do not want to be found.

Tracing Investigation Services

Our highly successful tracing service operates throughout the Ghana and overseas. Using a combination of your information, our understanding of human nature, our access to very varied open source information, confidential sources and plenty of initiative, it is difficult for your missing person to stay that way.

Looking for a missing loved one, can involve going back over many years, our tracking investigators have specialist skills to know where to look, which is half the battle.

Each case is fully documented and any difficulties experienced are reported back to the client, enabling decisions to be made regarding further enquiries. All work undertaken is carried out with the utmost discretion and professionalism, within the confines of Ghana law.

For bulk tracing work we are able to offer preferential rates, often with no trace no fee, where all of the relevant information is supplied.

Tracing Birth Parents

Tracing Birth Parents can take many months of detailed legal research. Abicus Security Senior Investigators have a wide knowledge of these matters, More information on this service and how we can assist please contact us!

If an individual or business uses without permission your intellectual property, it can potentially impact both revenue and the reputation of your business or brand. That’s why investigating the situation swiftly and effectively, as soon as suspicions arise, is crucial to protecting yourself in the immediate and long term.

Intellectual property can refer to copyrights, trademarks, patents or trade secrets and each area is regulated, licenced and governed specifically and individually, meaning the applicable laws are extremely varied. Having a team of private investigators who understand the deep complexities is essential to ascertain the right information to resolve your infringement case.

Over the years, the investigators teams have helped to resolve many different cases, from the sale of counterfeit branded goods through to reproduction and distribution of copyrighted works. The tactics adopted by our team will be tailored specifically to your case, when it comes to the theft of intellectual property there is no one size fits all solution.

You may be an individual, brand or business looking to identify those who are using your intellectual property or perhaps a government agency targeting the sale of counterfeit goods in order to protect the public. No matter what your case, the team at Abicus Security Investigations can offer support.

Copyright & trademark infringement

In situations where counterfeit goods are being sold, an on the ground team will often be deployed in order to gather intelligence on such goods. Often known as ‘mystery shopping’ our field agents will pose as members of the public purchasing goods in order for us to gather evidence as to where the branded products are being sold and how they are being positioned by retailers at point of sale. It’s this evidence that can often provide the foundations to a strong copyright or trademark infringement case.

The need for investigation into copyright and trademark infringement often goes well beyond the impact to an individual, business or brand. The danger these products pose to consumers can often be lethal and therefore fighting the sale of counterfeit goods is a cause we feel strongly about.

We often find a huge surge of these cases in the lead up to Christmas when independent retailers, market stalls, online and eBay traders can flood the marketplace with potentially hazardous products which can so often find their way under the tree.

For example, ‘fake’ toys being sold with the registered CE mark, indicating the toy is safe for children, can become a choking or fire hazard and even contain toxic substances, posing significant risk to families across the country.

Similarly, when electrical products which carry a brand name and the relevant certification trademark stamp, turn out to be counterfeit, a simple purchase for the home can turn into a ticking time bomb.

The way in which counterfeit products are created, distributed and sold has become increasingly more sophisticated over the years and can appear in seemingly legitimate retail environments. Our team can help to research, identify and gather evidence for every type of copyright and trademark infringement and will tailor a specific case strategy dependant on your situation.

If you suspect your intellectual property is being used illegally or there are counterfeit goods being sold, you can discuss your case with one of our specialist team during a free consultation.

Nanny watch investigations should be can be conducted as our family is the most cherished people in our lives, so it’s only natural that we seek to protect our children, and give them a safe, loving environment in which to grow up.

One of the biggest problems facing parents of preschool children is who is going to look after your loved ones while you’re at work. Hiring a nanny and giving them the responsibility of looking after your children’s health and well-being in your absence is a major decision that requires careful consideration.

At Abicus Security, we have a team of experienced private investigators who have the necessary skills to investigate a nanny before you hire them and, if necessary, keep an eye on them while they’re working.

Nanny Screening

For many working families who juggle family lives with their career, hiring a nanny isn’t a luxury it’s a necessity. While the majority of people are trustworthy, respectable individuals, you can never be too sure when it comes to your children. You need to know that the person you’re hiring is qualified, responsible, and that your children will be safe in their care.

While most nanny agencies do run checks, they are often under pressure to make placements quickly and sometimes checks may not be as thorough as you would like.

No parent wants their child to come to harm, so instructing a private detective before making your final decision will give you peace of mind that your child will be safe. Considering they will also have unrestricted access to your home, you need to know they can be trusted with your belongings as well.

How a PI Can Help

At Abicus Security, we offer a number of different services that can be adapted to your requirements. Whether you want the references checked and verified before you hire a nanny, or you would like a full background check to be carried out, our team of investigators are there to help. As specialists in background checks, you can be confident of making the right choice.

In addition, perhaps you would like your new nanny to be observed during their first few weeks at work. Or you have concerns over a nanny who has been working for you for some time. We can arrange for surveillance, in the form of covert cameras or physical surveillance, to help put your mind at ease.

No parent wants their child to come to any harm, so instructing a private investigator to monitor, observe and report on your nanny will give you peace of mind in your decision.

This type of investigation is naturally sensitive and, as with all our investigations, discretion and confidentiality are of paramount importance to us.

If you would like to discuss our nanny watch services, contact Abicus Security Investigations today on the number below or use our contact us page to speak with one of our experienced Private Investigators to see how we can help..

The main subject of our investigation might for example, be a hairdresser or a waiter or a salesperson or lorry driver and therefore requires a suitably selected Investigator to blend into whatever environment is required and one who is capable of asking the appropriate questions without raising any suspicions or leaving any trace that an undercover, covert investigation has been conducted.

Abicus Security private investigators well trained from all different backgrounds and have skills capable of blending into most situations as required.

As a company you may have a problem involving one or several employees but in an environment where covert cameras or other technologies are just not practical, we can supply an appropriate Agent to work within the company and in so far as appearances become one of your employees.

Our Agent, whilst conducting a job for you, will also be carrying out a second job which is observing situations from an investigative angle and befriending employees in order to infiltrate any activities which are not in the best interests of your company or are illegal.

Our Agents will gather the evidence to enable you to continue to legal proceedings where required.

When protecting your Company is your number one priority Abicus Security Investigations can be your preferred trustworthy partner.

Static surveillance can be used when a particular location is watched rather than specific persons watched and followed. Our agents remain covert and static at the same location for whatever time period is required and observe and film vehicles and or persons coming and going, within current legal requirements.

Abicus Security has private investigators experienced in static surveillance, be it urban or rural. Sometimes an investigation requires an Agent to be hidden in amongst undergrowth, or other unusual situations, in order to observe all the details of what is occurring at that location.

It may be that fly-tipping (rubbish is being dumped regularly) at the same countryside location. We have the experience and technology to enable Agents to be concealed in this environment with the aid of appropriate camouflage, sometimes for a few hours, sometimes for days or weeks if required, noting all events that take place.

Urban static surveillance ranges from watching a property suspected of drug-dealing activities to monitoring properties where residents are regularly being harassed or intimidated by other persons.

Utilising several surveillance vehicles adapted to ‘blend in’ with whatever environment is presented to us.

24 hours manned, or electronic, surveillance can be maintained. Sometimes our findings then may lead to mobile surveillance operations and this can readily be undertaken using a second agent or team in a mobile surveillance vehicle parked in the vicinity.

Speak to Abicus Security team about your concern. We can if necessary arrange a discreet site survey and provide you with a projection of actions required.

At Abicus Security, our mobile surveillance officers are willing to take the necessary measures in order to adhere to the high standards of our clientele. In order to keep the individual within view to ascertain their destination, companions and activities, our agents will take the necessary transport, whether it be on foot, motorbike, bus, trains, boat or plane we endeavour to carry out the necessary measures in order to satisfy clients to achieve results.

Whether it is for corporate or private issues, we can provide mobile surveillance agents to suit the needs of any client, after discussing your case with you so that we can gain an understanding of what you are hoping to achieve.

Within businesses and corporations there can often be internal issues concerning employees who you wish to track the actions of, to protect your assets or even as a pre-employment screening to ensure an extra layer of security within your business. For information on Commercial surveillance contact us.

Abicus Security, also looks into private investigations concerning matrimonial or relationship issues, where suspicion has aroused from unusual behaviour or actions in order to discover the truth. For further information on matrimonial surveillance contact us.

Throughout the surveillance period, our agents will be equipped with a range of discreet equipment in order to capture the moments which will be most beneficial to the progression of the investigation wherever legally or operationally viable.

Here at Abicus Security, our agents are expertly trained in their field to carry out professional and discreet mobile surveillance to ensure that they are prepared for any ‘ground’ situations and can travel around the world to help bring clients investigations to a close.

For more information on the services Abicus Security ‘mobile surveillance agents’ can provide, please do not hesitate to call for a free initial consultation.

GPS Tracking

Do you want to know the location of your company or family, vehicle? Do you need evidence to show the routes taken, or locations visited? If so, a GPS tracking system could be the perfect solution, deployed by us, for legally compliant situations.

At Abicus Security, we deploy the latest GPS tracking systems to support a range of surveillance investigations for our private and commercial clients.

There are several types of vehicle tracking available, live and historical, together with laws that govern the use of them in the Ghana.

You may like to just call us for the best advice, Initial telephone consultations are free and absolutely confidential.

The innovation of GPS Asset Tracking

In recent years the use of GPS tracking to keep control of your assets has become a useful tool for families and companies alike. The small device sends a signal to specifically designated satellites enabling the monitoring of the device in real time 24/7. Abicus Security we use the latest GPS tracking systems and software for private and commercial clients. In a legally compliant manner.

Company vehicles, owned by the Company, can be GPS tracked to give details of their travel and whereabouts in real time which enables the company to evaluate any misuse of the vehicle by its operator, for private usage, its stops, and the length of time at each stop can be produced. We can also furnish comprehensive reports of the assets movements which can be overlaid into maps to make the data easier to understand.

Family vehicles owned by a family member can also be fitted with GPS tracking facilities with the view to establishing their whereabouts and travel. Once again, this can be undertaken in real time and historically, it is important to know the laws that surround tracking, speaking to insight can help in these circumstances.

Other assets, expensive items of furniture, paintings etc can also be GPS tracked giving the client an exact location at any time, if they require transit.

GPS trackers can be cost effective as a less expensive alternative than having the asset followed by an Investigator.

GPS trackers are reliable as heavy traffic and weather conditions can lead to an Investigator losing sight of a vehicle where a GPS tracker continues to transmit its location at all times.

Abicus Security, we have years of valuable experience in legal GPS vehicle tracking, and our operatives are highly trained personal.

Through a combination of experience and the latest technology, we can deliver the evidence you need in support of your case, where clear evidence is required under GH law.

To find out more, or to discuss using GPS tracking systems, call us today, for understanding help & advice.

The use of drones in our investigations is carefully considered on a case by case basis, when traditional methods of investigation may not be an option. Whether you are a private individual needing evidence to prove criminal activity, a business owner, local council or working within the public sector, our investigators are on hand 24/7 to discuss whether the use of drone surveillance is legal and appropriate for your specific case

Drone surveillance is a relatively new tool in the box for investigators. Abicus Security always strives to be ahead of the curve when it comes to the latest technology and tactics in order to get to the truth of a situation. Working with qualified commercial drone pilots, we offer an aerial surveillance service for cases that need this specific kind of approach.

Our highly trained drone operators use the most advanced drones and camera technology to provide the best quality evidence for your case. From using sophisticated thermal imaging cameras, to state-of-the-art, Abicus Security drone operators are experts in capturing evidence in this highly specialised field.

At Abicus Security we would never use drone operatives for a case if not absolutely needed. Not only do we consider whether the case needs that level of surveillance, but we also take into consideration the ethics, privacy issues and legal implications of using drones in our operations.

The use of drones can easily be abused by rogue operators and their use can quickly encroach on a person’s human rights as well as the wider public’s right to privacy.

It’s essential that when drones are used it still falls within the parameters of GH law and the code of ethics we at Abicus Security adhere to. Unfortunately, the laws surrounding the use of drones in private investigations is incredibly complex and not overtly clear. As such we have worked with our drone pilots and operations team to establish a clear code of conduct which we use to self-govern and regulate our activity.

Our code of conduct means that we will never deploy drones for a matrimonial case where there is single person or couple under investigation. Using drones to follow individuals where the only wrongdoing is that of moral question (i.e. infidelity) does not warrant the use of a drone.

The only time we use drones is to prove criminal intent or behaviour. When the question is not a moral one but one of legality then the use of drones will be considered in order to obtain the most pertinent evidence that can protect individuals or the public.

Some of the scenarios we would deploy our specialist drone team could include….

• To prove anti-social behaviour in a neighbourhood or community from ‘neighbours from hell’ right through to gang activity in a particular area
• To prove theft from a company, if employees are breaking the law and stealing from their employer, but evidence is hard to obtain, then drones can be used to gather evidence
• To prove individuals or refuse companies are fly tipping. We often work with local authorities offering discreet drone surveillance to help combat fly tipping and the damage it can cause to the local environment
• To prove trespassing or illegal activity happening on private land in rural locations, whether that be ‘County Lines’ drug dealing which is impacting on agricultural businesses or any other type of illegal activity, then drones can often be a way of gathering evidence in locations where on foot agents would be spotted
• To prove criminal activity or intent of any kind. If there is any suspicion that an individual or group is breaking the law, or planning to break the law, and evidence must be gathered then drones will be considered based on the level of criminal activity.

In addition to our strict code of conduct, we also ensure that we only work with the best drone operators. Due to the strict regulations and ever-changing government legislation regarding drone usage, we require all our drone operators to hold a valid ‘licence’. As it currently stands in the GH, this is known as a ‘Permission for Commercial Operation’ or issued by the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority. Only deploying highly trained licenced operators ensures the evidence obtained meets the standards needed both legally and ethically.

For more information about how drone surveillance could be beneficial for your particular case please call us on the number below or visit our contact us page and fill in the form.

The importance of your security, be that security of your property, your home, your family, yourself, is at constant risk of compromise. Abicus Security provide a comprehensive service customised to protect yourself, your environment and assets while complying with stringent legal standards.

Many people take what are considered to be normal measures to ensure their safety and security, for matters such as theft and personal security, but what happens when matters stretch beyond what you can normally do to safeguard things.

Harassment or Nuisance

There are a wide range of devices and “apps” now available on the open market which enables you to record the content of incoming and outgoing calls on landline and mobile phones enabling you to gain the evidence that nuisance or harassing behaviour is occurring causing either you or your family distress.

Finding the root cause of this is infinitely more difficult and in some cases cannot be done. Withheld telephone numbers, and fake email addresses can deliver the most distressing levels of harassment.

If you have an indication of who may be responsible, gaining the evidence that it is happening can assist you in taking matters further and to the authorities.

If you have cause to believe that your property is being accessed without your permission, either by a stranger or by a person known to you that is no longer welcome, then we can provide a range of discreet solutions that alert you to when this is happening, capture images and audio of these events enabling you to gain evidence that this intrusion has occurred.

Surveillance is quite often the best approach to this. By conducting static surveillance, we are then able to witness the incident, and where appropriate follow the subject to establish who they are, giving you all the evidence you may need.

Stalking of any person, for the recipient, can be terrifying. Unwanted advances, the fear of always being watched and the very real danger of matters escalating to more serious issues is very daunting.

Cyber-bullying

You may be concerned by changes in behaviour in your child, that he or she is suffering from bullying or nuisance behaviour from either peers or elders. In this highly technological era, computers, iPads, mobile phones, social network sites, even phone calls and messaging services, all play a part in entertaining a child. Ensure that these are safe and secure for your child to access.

If your child is frightened and hiding this, there are a range of devices that can gain access to their computer and recover lost or deleted information. This could assist in you being able to take steps to protect your child and impress upon them the importance of telling you when things do not appear normal, enabling you to get to the truth and more importantly enable you to help your child.

In very extreme cases, you may want to employ a private investigator to conduct surveillance on your child. This is a very delicate matter, where our investigators can witness any harassment that has moved on from cyber-bullying, recording any unwanted behaviour towards them, whilst outside the home or school. This then gives you the ability to speak with your child and where necessary report matters.

Blackmail

There may be times when you feel that you or your families are at threat. The threat of blackmail is often frightening and worrying. This behaviour has unfortunately been around for years, but with the onset of on-line activity, the damage can be far more reaching.

“The act of forcing someone to do or pay something by threatening to reveal a secret”

The internet and “shame sites” are a very unpleasant and spiteful advancement of what can happen, the fear people can have if they do not comply with blackmailers demands, can lead to immeasurable damage to the recipient of such actions.

Quite often internet dating or relationships struck up from this method can lead to demands for money. Uncovering who these individuals are can be difficult and painstaking tasks. What starts out as a potential on-line romance, can lead to the disclosure of information to a person you believe you have developed a special bond with, which is particularly damaging when this is then used against you for blackmail purposes.

Abicus Security have over the years assisted many clients who find themselves in this position. Gaining knowledge of who your blackmailers are can be part of the issue. Getting to the bottom of a fake identity, and conducting surveillance to establish who they are gives you back some control.

Pre-marital Checks

If you have concerns about the future happiness and security of a family member or yourself, who may already have children, this may be a 2nd marriage? Conducting a pre-marital check can assist. Has the relationship advanced quite quickly? Is there little known about the intended bride or groom? Are there suspicions if they are being honest? What is their background? Have you heard rumours about their character and you want to safeguard yourself or your family member from any potential future safety issues?

If you have any fears or doubts on any matter relating to yours or your families security, talk to one of our specialist team, who will be able to advise you on the feasibility of looking further into the issue.

The Abicus Security team are able to provide a free no obligation discussion. Contact us now to review your options on the number below or contact us.

Due diligence investigations are an essential part of operating in any sector, that involve conducting a private inquiry into a potential business partner before agreeing to a contract or agreement or investment with a third party. This can involve taking an in-depth look into the background or professional history of an organisation or individuals – reviewing previous deals, their reputation, and track record of delivery.

If issues are uncovered, this allows you to review them directly with the party in question and take corrective action. Or, if the problems are insurmountable or a resolution judged to be unachievable in your current project time frame, you can choose to avoid following through on negotiations entirely.

However, conducting full and complete due diligence is a demanding task that can take significant time and resource to accomplish. This can result in the process being ‘fast tracked’, ending up with an incomplete or inaccurate picture of your future with the individual or body in question. Failing to take significant time and care can easily result in a ‘repent at leisure’ situation that leaves you locked into an undesirable professional situation.

Additionality, it is worth remembering that due diligence is classed as a legal obligation, meaning that failure to complete it can leave you open to lawsuits or follow up investigations.

Why is it so important?

While the definition of due diligence varies in meaning according to the business, organisation or industry; it is phenomenally important to undertake. This involves a targeted investigation into the background and reputation of a proposed client or business partner prior to competing a contract or agreement.

At a minimum, due diligence should enable you to get a full and complete picture of your potential partner’s standing. As standard, this includes a nine-point framework that includes-

Compatibility: Ensuring that they are a good ‘fit’ as a partner

Financial health: That their reported figures are correct.

Macro-Environmental Context: That the broader market ensures that your partnering makes sense.

Legal Context: That there are no upcoming legal issues or elements that need to be factored in.

Marketing: How does their marketing operate and compare to yours?

Production: Are there issues with their production capacity?

Management: Potentially the most difficult and sensitive. What is their current management practice and is it ‘healthy’?

Information Systems Health: How is their IT infrastructure or software products configured?

Reconciliation: Do the sums recorded in your partner’s accounts match those tracked in internal ledgers?

Needless to say, that carrying out these checks takes time and expertise. And failing to conduct them to the fullest of your capacity can place your work in serious jeopardy.

What damage can it cause?

In a worse-case scenario, failing to conduct adequate due diligence can destroy your business and leave you personally open to follow-on lawsuits.

Specific issues include:

Reputational Damage: If issues emerge about your partner’s dealings or the behaviour of figureheads within the business, this can leave you at risk of significant harm to your personal image. This can involve embezzlement, poor behaviour, or corruption – leaving you tarred with the same brush and struggling to take corrective action.

Economic Costs: Failing to judge the value of a deal or agreement can come at significant financial cost. If a partner mis-represents the value of their product or service, this can leave you shouldering the burden of investment. This can also leave you open to formal legal action, civil suits, and more.

Sustained Risk: If you have business relationships already in place, this can leave you open to issues further down the road. These can range from illegal business practices, poor press, or inadequate management that cripples their product or unique selling point. This can result in being fined or inquests if you were deemed to directly profit from their actions.

Legal Issues: Failure to conduct adequate due diligence leaves you open to legal charges. Ensuring that you are fully compliant within the letter of the law is essential.

How can you conduct a due diligence investigation?

Carrying out due diligence requires significant expertise and experience to conduct to an acceptable standard. This can be handled internally by members of staff but runs the risk of having bias, lack of training, or time pressures curtail your work. This can also pull professionals away from projects and initiatives that result in a compound loss for your business.

At a minimum, these should be conducted in full before any major business decision with a third party, such as an acquisition or merger, to protect your current or future intellectual property, and to safeguard your company’s reputation.

However, it is important to recognise that it is not the only time an investigation may be undertaken. These can also be deployed to confirm the integrity of your employees, suppliers, contractors or colleagues. This can be essential for teams or professionals that have a high degree of autonomy and report back from clients without any insight or input from yourself or management.

Simply put, if your employees spend a lot of time on the road, a due diligence check may quickly move from a potential choice to a near necessity. However, it can be incredibly difficult to get a trained, objective perspective on the current state of play if you are depending on your internal teams for feedback and insight.

This makes hiring or sourcing feedback from an investigator highly useful.

What role does an investigator play?

In today’s uncertain economic environment, it’s more important than ever for business owners to make the right decisions when contemplating a major business transaction. These can be simple choices like contract hires, infrastructure arrangements or long-reaching serious decisions around topics like mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, new partnerships or more.

At Abicus Security, we offer a full range of due diligence services to arm you with the facts so that every decision you make is backed by the right evidence. We have a team of experienced private detectives with the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out thorough due diligence investigations, so you can be truly confident and fully informed about all your essential business decisions.

Our investigators use a range of modern techniques and technology to find out the information you need to know. Investigations often entail forensic accounting, background checks, asset searches, mystery shopping and surveillance. Whilst the investigation is always tailored to your specific circumstances such an investigation might include examinations of their business premises, how long have they been in business, who are the Directors/CEO’s and what is their background in the field that they profess to be engaged in? It is possible to purchase all manner of counterfeit documents from various sites on the Internet such as passports, driving licenses, qualification certificates etc. and we can examine any documentation you have been sent to ascertain its credibility.

Our bespoke approaches to match your current working practice, ensuring that you have full coverage for when it matters most. The nature of each investigation will vary depending on the individual case. Each assignment is assessed so that we can appoint the investigator with the necessary skills and expertise for your needs.

We work discreetly and efficiently to ensure you have enough information to make an informed decision, without compromising your business relations.

Get in touch

If you want to learn more about how due diligence investigations can help add value to your daily work, our team at Abicus Security is here to help. With many years’ experience providing support to number of business sectors, our team of highly trained professionals is on hand to provide the care and insight that you need.

If you have additional questions or queries, please do not hesitate to call us on the number below or use the contact form to get in touch directly and let us know exactly what you need to resolve your issues or meet your unique, bespoke requirements.

Employee theft is a key concern for any business owner or entrepreneur, employee theft is a leading cause of issues for the Ghana economy, with employee theft costing businesses multi-millions of pounds every year and outright fraud adding to the woes. This can range from the theft of hardware and assets, to significant fraudulent activity and can have a huge impact on businesses – having a huge cumulative effect for larger companies and potentially crippling for smaller companies.

Employee Theft – What should you look out for?

Put simply, employee theft is on the increase and is wide-reaching in term that describes the stealing, misappropriation, or use of businesses’ assets without explicit permission. For many businesses this can range from dipping into the till during the day to the outright selling of trade practices to competitors. Depending on the nature of the theft, the action can be heavily punishable within law courts – making it essential to provide as much supporting evidence for your disciplinary or legal action as possible.

Here are some of the most common illegal activities that take place across GHANA businesses:

Cash: Arguably the most popular asset stolen from businesses, the theft of money can be carried out over a protracted period and, if hidden properly, can look like little more than accounting errors or missed entirely.

Time: If an employee claims for time they did not spend working, this is very hard to judge against as first-hand evidence is required to demonstrate what they were doing across the period. This includes being paid for time they claim to have spent off site and is most often done through the falsification of records, which can be difficult to prove the further you move from the date of submission.

Materials: This can be anything from commonplace office supplies such as pens and printing materials, petrol or diesel for vehicles, up to mission critical items such as hardware. This can take place over a sustained period of time and involve the smuggling of large pieces of kit out – making it less likely to be opportunistic and making them vulnerable to steady surveillance.

Property: If your business is built around the sale of goods, the theft of that stock is likely to be a danger. Often written off as damage or loss, these are frequently taken to be re-sold or deployed for personal use.

Information: One of the most serious of all infractions, some employees choose to sell on or release trade secrets to competitors. This can see the individual facing serious fines and even imprisonment if discovered.

How does Employee Theft happen?

Almost all theft is governed by one characteristic – opportunity. If a member of your team has the chance to carry out a theft with minimal risk, they may be tempted to do so. While it is always advisable to carry out a full and complete background check on key team members, eliminating all the occasions that acts of theft can take place are almost impossible.

Some typical avenues of opportunity include-

Access: If members of your teams have privileged access to storage and information, this can introduce risk, giving them an opportunity to profit without consequence.

Solution: Review your privileged access and embed oversight at points of vulnerability.

Capacity: If an individual has means to carry out their theft, it gives them a route to attempt it. This can involve access to a vehicle to carry away stolen items, the ability to access sensitive information on your system, and more.

Solution: Putting in place specific countermeasures or steps for key individuals, ensuring that they do not use their skillset in a way that can cause harm to the business.

Luck of the Draw: Simply, the temptation was there. This can be an unlocked work bike, an open box of your businesses’ product, or a mislabeled crate that has not been signed for.

Solution: Conduct a review of your processing pipeline and observe where issues have occurred in the past and how they could be positively addressed from this point forward.

How to deal with Employee Theft?

While making changes to your working practice may help deal with future issues, it’s important to take steps to fix things in the here and now. That means understanding who the perpetrator is and how they are undertaking their actions.

This makes hiring a private detective an extremely helpful solution.

Choosing a detective from a reliable service ensures the highest possible standards for care and sensitivity. Conducting an internal investigation needs to be carried out with extreme caution, allowing you to find how thefts are happening or gather evidence against a specific individual.

First and foremost, it is important to remember that while stealing from an employer is a serious breach of trust, and completely unacceptable; it is equally important to take a measured approach to your response. Your first instinct may be to call the police, but many companies prefer to conduct an internal investigation first to gather more evidence, preserve the company’s reputation, and protect personal and professional relationships.

If you suspect an employee of stealing from you, it is of paramount importance to carry out an investigation immediately. Remember, if this is the first time that an individual has been caught stealing or you have realised thefts have occurred – it’s is highly statistically likely that it is not a one-off offence.

How to investigate Employee Theft?

At Abicus Security, our teams are trained to carry out a discreet, confidential investigation into the incident in question. This can act as a bulwark to help stop the crime before it snowballs out of control, affecting both company finances and staff morale.

Depending on the nature of the crime and your personal preferences, we can carry out our investigations covertly, causing the minimum of disruption and fuss to your business. Alternatively, we can carry out an overt approach, where our detectives make their presence obvious. This helps send a strong signal to your staff, preventing the occurrence of future thefts, or encouraging the perpetrator to take further incriminatory action in an attempt to prevent them from being caught.

We are always able to tailor our approach to suit each individual employee theft case and only offer services that are relevant to your situation or concerns. If you are unsure about how to proceed, or what legal recourse you may have available – we will always be able to advise you on future courses of action.

All our teams deploy state-of-the-art surveillance technologies and provide options for physical surveillance or the placement of an experienced undercover operative within your company to work discreetly on the shop floor.

At the end of each investigation, we will provide you with a full written report along with any photographic or other relevant evidence. We can also advise you on various security aspects to prevent future thefts – working with you to provide and critique an actionable plan that can remove risks from your business for the years ahead.

Employee Theft – What’s next?

If you want to learn more about avoiding issues around theft and dishonesty, our team at Insight Investigations is here to help. With many years’ experience in a range of sensitive professional fields, our hand-picked teams of private investigators are ready to work with you to get to the bottom of your issues.

To find out more, you can contact us on the number below or you can use our contact us page.