International Risk has extensive experience in the identification and location of assets and advising clients on recovery. Many of our asset search investigations are international and can be undertaken either overtly or discreetly.

We have successfully assisted clients and legal advisors in identifying all types of assets; both directly and indirectly owned or controlled by individuals and/or corporate entities, as well as in the design and execution of strategies for the recovery of misappropriated assets or those assets that satisfy a judgment. We also undertake financial worth inquiries to support informed corporate decision-making in relation to potential transactions or litigation.

International Risk asset search investigations are most frequently required:

• As part of a fraud, corruption or other financial investigation - to locate the proceeds of illegal activities so that restitution can be sought
• As a pre-litigation assessment of assets - to determine if the subject/s have sufficient assets to make the costs of litigation worthwhile
• As a post-judgement assessment of assets - to locate assets to enforce a judgement
• As part of financial worth enquiries - to confirm the veracity of asset claims made by another party
• To help demonstrate dissipation of company assets in relation to actual or potential provisional liquidations
• To support negotiations to recover unpaid debts

Our Approach

To assist clients to more effectively manage the potential costs of asset search investigations, especially those that might require work in multiple jurisdictions, International Risk adopts a phased approach to our investigations. Upon building a comprehensive profile of the purported assets and business activities of the investigation subject/s, we focus on the investigative leads which are most likely to yield a successful and cost-effective outcome.

Often, the best intelligence as to the type and location of assets come from those who know the subject/s. Through proper debriefing of those familiar with the subject, International Risk will secure factual and all-important anecdotal information which can provide crucial clues as to where the subject/s’ assets may be located or have been transferred. Comprehensive investigative research adds to our knowledge of the subject/s; and in the case of individuals, to family members and close associates who may control assets that are beneficially owned on behalf of the subject/s.

In those investigations where legal access to the subject/s’ data storage devices (e.g. computers, PDAs, etc.) can be secured, our data forensics experts use advanced analytical tools to recover and identify relevant data including emails, spreadsheets and other documents. This data adds breadth to our understanding of the assets the subject/s may own or control and the methodology that may have been used when seeking to conceal their actual ownership of assets.

On-ground field investigations will then be undertaken, often discreetly, more fully to identify actual or suspected assets. In more complex investigations, International Risk analysts will also use sophisticated link analysis software to map relationships between subjects and assets.

During our investigations, we frequently identify bank accounts, securities accounts and offshore trust structures; although these accounts can only be accessed with legal authority. Once these and other potential assets such as land, property, shareholdings, vehicles, plant and equipment, club/school debentures are identified, International Risk will then be in a position to work with legal counsel to develop and implement strategies for appropriate action to further identify assets, to secure their recovery and/or to seek settlement.

Related Services

International Risk also provide the following investigative services which are often related to asset search investigations:

• Fraud and Corruption Investigations
• Financial Investigations
• Litigation Support
• Data Forensics and Electronic Evidence Recovery