When releasing the report, Dr Adam Graycar said his research found every dollar spent on investigation by private investigators between three & six dollars was saved in uncovering fraud.
And it is not just fraud related cases that require surveillance by private investigators.
Terry said some local companies were hiring investigators to conduct surveillance on senior staff they fear have “gone off the boil” at work.
“This might include following the person to see if they have a gambling or heavy drinking problem & that is why they are struggling at work,’’ he said.
“Sometimes these staff can be on $300,000 & they may be verging on getting the sack, but the bosses want to know if there is a genuine reason for why they are not performing.
Terry said the work of private investigators on the Border also included imitating workers within a business.
“I have been hired by businesses to go undercover as an employee & work in a business for maybe a month or six weeks,’’ he said.
“This is to get to know the other employees & what they might be doing, sometimes through this work we have found that one employee is clocking on while the others might be going to the races & the employer is paying them all unwillingly.’’
Mr Lynch said while the work of private investigators was often dangerous it was extremely important to be methodical and ensure he remained virtually invisible during operations.
“I have never been approached by someone that I am investigating, sometimes a neighbour may express concern but never the person,’’ he said
“I always inform the Australian Federal Police when I am on an operation somewhere & even the local police to inform them that I am in the area on a lawful investigation.
“This is so they know you are in town & what you are doing.’’
His cache of equipment is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars & includes video and still photography equipment, dictaphones, monopods, bug sweeping & radio frequency equipment & a variety of different clothing.
Some Border investigators even utilise magnetic signage for their vehicles & install ladders and piping on roof racks that can be easily removed to change the appearance of their cars.
Mr Lynch said he is also regularly approached by clients wanting to verify suspicions of infidelity.
It is an issue he approaches with great caution & more often than not will decline jobs due to the legal ramifications associated with them.
“Sometimes these are jobs we can take on, it may involve watching for a third party, it may involve custodial matters for children & result in how superannuation & assets are divided if there are instances of infidelity & divorce,’’ he said.
“We are required to find out the nitty gritty, who else is in the relationship, we often play an important role in the investigations.’’
He said recently introduced privacy laws meant private investigators had to err on the side of caution in many of the cases they were involved in.
Dr Graycar said private investigators played a critical place in the justice system, something Mr Lynch could attest too.
“Often people who contact us and suspect there is a problem are right, it is just a matter of us confirming it,’’ he said.
He said it was important that businesses took responsibility for the security of intellectual property & company information.
“Sometimes we find that businesses are not locking boardroom doors, have unsupervised after hours cleaning, don’t have key registers & no cameras,’’ he said.
“We help them with that as part of the business, often our information ends up in court as part of evidence.’’
Mr Lynch’s subject has returned & it is back to business as he switches into surveillance mode.
“It is 7.20am, the subject is on the move again,’’ he says.
Patience, methodology & a steady nerve ready, this is all in a days work.
PJL July 2010