OF&A :: OF & A Provides Solution for Problems

OF & A Provides Solution for Problems

OF&A PROVIDES A HOLISTIC SOLUTION FOR YOUR PROBLEMS

In a recent case, OF&A's financial, criminal and polygraph divisions worked closely together to solve a crime - a great demonstration of the synergy that exists between the Group's divisions.

In this instance, the client, a manufacturer of a product used by the security industry, suspected that two ex-employees were receiving inside information from current employees. The client's suspicions were further aroused when a customer from Germany advised that he had received a sales letter promoting similar products to those of the client. The letter came from someone in South Africa who claimed to have 25 years' experience in the industry. The client immediately identified two ex-employees as the suspects as they are the only people who have had this length of industry experience.

Inside information

The client subsequently approached OF&A for assistance. OF&A's financial division began investigating the two ex-employees, subject A and B, who had left the manufacturing company the previous year. The two ex-employees were the only staff members to have left the company and together their experience added up to 25 years. Further investigations revealed that both of the ex-employees had continued in the industry, and subject A was in fact liaising with one of the client's current employees. Subject A was receiving information on all of the company's new product designs, and perfecting them before they were released onto the market. As a result of inside information leaked to him, he was able to follow the client's sales representatives soon after they had presented new products to customers. Subject A then presented his product design, which highlighted flaws in the client's product design.

Stolen products and ideas

It was then discovered that subject B was meeting with the employee, who was actually the mastermind behind the improved designs, whilst subject A manufactured the improved products. On learning that a meeting had been set up between subjects A and B and the employee, OF&A conducted a surveillance exercise. In the meantime, OF&A discovered that some of the client's drivers were stealing products and selling them to subject A

Another surveillance was set up after the employee took time off work under suspicious circumstances. OF&A photographed the employee's car in front of a building, which pinned both the ex-employees and the current employee to one place at the same time. An OF&A investigator entered the building under a pretext, but was not allowed into the factory. However, subjects A and B and the current employee all walked into the reception area. This presented OF&A with substantial evidence, but it was still necessary to interview the employee and the drivers.

Polygraph examinations

OF&A's polygraph division stepped in and after being interrogated, the employee confessed to manufacturing parts and machinery that were unique to the client, on subject B's premises. He also confessed to leaking sales and supplier information. A polygraph examination on the drivers verified the suspicions of OF&A's financial investigators, revealing that they were in fact stealing from the client and selling the parts to subjects A and B.

Ockie Fourie, CEO of OF&A, concludes, "The client realised how important it is to investigate people before hiring them, and has also implemented security measures which will give him regular updates on what is actually happening in his business."

TIP OF THE MONTH: Check out existing as well as potential employees - you never know who may have a hidden agenda