If someone is hiding assets, you might detect the assets by reviewing: corporate records; patents & trademarks; court papers; U.C.C. filings; real estate documents; or through additional basic research.  “A Low-Cost Asset Search” gives information about how to perform basic research.  Although basic research can lead to a good result, it may not help you identify assets hidden through a complex concealment scheme.

The complex schemes might be facilitated by gatekeepers such as lawyers, accountants, officers, directors, etc.  The following details how a lawyer concealed assets with his organized crime client “Mr. M”, in a money laundering scheme:¹

Complex concealment schemes can among other things, also involve fraudulent asset transfers to third-parties & the placement of assets offshore.  To try to locate assets concealed by such schemes, it may be necessary for you to pursue your legal remedies & retain private investigators.  Legal remedies range from civil proceedings brought to attach bank accounts to employing criminal law tools. “An Asset Search In Geneva” lists these remedies for locating & recovering assets hidden at Swiss banks.  These remedies are not just limited to seeking assets at Swiss banks, as similar remedies are available in many countries around the world.

In addition to the use of legal remedies, private investigators can have an important role in asset search or recovery cases.  An investigator in one asset recovery case is described at the article “Private Investigators: An Asset Search By Pursuing Interviews & Tips.”  It highlights an effort to gather human intelligence about a divorcing husband thought to have hidden marital assets and committed tax fraud.  More articles featuring private investigators are: “An Asset Search In Switzerland”, “Following The Money Trail In Zurich” & “Fighting Financial Fraud At UK Banks.”

¹Case 08012, Courtesy of The Egmont Group

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Copyright 2015 Fred L. Abrams