Indonesia Private Investigation Agency

Private investigation in Indonesia

PI Techniques

Employee Background Checks

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Many employers in Indonesia background checks on potential employees through the assistance from a company such as Business Due Diligence Indonesia, as a well-respected Private Investigation firms Indonesia Private Investigation Agency and Bali Eye Private Investigation Agency can also assist in these types of checks.  

While a good CV and a job interview are big parts in the hiring decision, a background check is certainly an essential piece of work you should undergo as part of a recruitment checks. Business Due Diligence Indonesia and Indonesia Private Investigation Agency and Bali Eye Private Investigation Agency are able to verify vital information such as identity, CV, education and employment history, criminal activity, professional qualifications, and other records of potential candidate. 

Comprehensive Services

Different background check companies in Indonesia offer different range of services. Business Due Diligence Indonesia for example has comprehensive services covering all the main areas of concern. This will take the full burden off a recruiter’s shoulders. These extensive checks and verification include personal identity, criminal history, educational and professional qualifications, financial history and employee references. 

Service Price

For almost all businesses, cost will always be a factor. Cost will of course depend on the scope of the check. Often, there is a base price and then an additional fee for different elements. Business Due Diligence Indonesia is completely transparent in coverage elements at the base price, and then what the additional fees are if additional services are required. Business Due Diligence Indonesia offers quality screening to know about your potential hire. 

Indonesian Legal Compliance

Business Due Diligence Indonesia will let you know your legal responsibility and requirements on employment screenings to ensure adherence to Indonesia law  and regulations. 

Report Accuracy

Not all information is accurate in background checks if the company you choose is not experienced. A background check report is not like a credit report as there is no specific way for you to detect the inaccuracy. Business Due Diligence Indonesia is reliable, experienced and is known for giving accurate reports.

Delivery Time

The delivery time will vary depending on the scope of the investigation is. For a standard check, Business Due Diligence Indonesia generally takes about 5 working days.

Business Due Diligence Indonesia has a wide network of experts and extensive experience to discover the discrepancies between the candidates’ information provided and our background check results.

Get in touch with BDDI to know more about their background check services in Indonesia.

Bali Eye Private Investigation Agency (BEPIA) along with our sister agency Indonesia Private Investigation Agency (IPIA) are  fully registered Private Investigation Agencies offering private detective and private investigator services to the Private and Business sectors throughout Indonesia and South East Asia.

For more focussed business due diligence work and analysis we would also refer you to Business Due Diligence Indonesia. 

Investigating Art Heists

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Private Investigation

One of the most perplexing cases to come across the desk of a PI is the theft of valuable art. After all, why would anyone steal fine art, since it’s so difficult to sell? Not only is it off limits to legitimate art dealers, but the vast majority of private collectors would never buy it, either (Private Investigation).

Art is very easy to damage. The theft itself, the transportation, and improper storage seriously erode the value and therefore the presumed payoff for the theft. Contrary to what you’ll see in the movies, art theft is not done by people who love art and want to hide it in the basement. In fact, the thieves often leave evidence of careless handling, which ads terrifically to the level of pain experienced by the museum staff or the private collector. What’s more, if there is any sentimental value attached to the artwork, the thieves don’t care about that, either.

The tools for investigating art theft are basically the same as what we use for any other investigation: surveillance, photos, interviews, and public records. Private Investigators have no police power to detain suspects for questioning, enter buildings or private property to conduct searches, or use a technique known as pretexting, where an investigator might put on a lab coat and pretend to be a medical professional in order to access information. It’s okay to lie, but there is a fine line between lying and out-and-out impersonation of someone in a privileged position.

With the motives of the theft being so unclear and the powers of the PI being so narrow, what advantage do we have over police?

Unquestionably, the most important advantage is one of focus. While the police attention is scattered among a multitude of cases, the PI can focus a laser-sharp beam on the objectives of the client. (That’s not a license to overstep boundaries, but does help in following details that might seem insignificant to police.) Most of the stereotypes about PI’s are laughable, but one might have a kernel of truth: PI’s tend to be dogged in their ability to track down evidence and unravel the truth.

Why would a criminal want to hold on to fine art? One theory is that it is easier for a criminal to hide and store art than suitcases of cash. There doesn’t have to be any paper trail, bank statements, marked bills, or other traceable evidence. If arrested on another charge, such as a drug bust, the criminal can use his knowledge of the art’s whereabouts as a bargaining chip. And, even though he might not have taken good care of the art, the museums, owners, and the public still want it back.

Another theory is that thieves use art as collateral for big purchases like massive drug deliveries. After all, if you’re buying a $1.5 million load of contraband, is it easier to hand over that much cash, or deliver collateral that can easily be held and transferred? Having valuable collateral that the criminal doesn’t care about personally is a big advantage. It greases the wheels of criminal commerce, allowing the drug buyer to start making sales and paying off his or her debt to the seller.

PI’s are the ultimate undercover agents. They do not have badges and can arrange their cars, looks, and even the contents of their pockets so as to be unsuspicious. They can insert themselves into conversations in any bar or public place. They can travel to wherever the leads take them. In fact, Bob Wittman of the FBI’s Art Crime Team states that the ability to travel and speak knowledgably about art is essential to recovering it.

While we do recover stolen belongings, including art, all the time, there are some famous heists that have never been solved. In March of 1990, 13 pieces of priceless art were stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. And to this date, 25 years later, not a single piece was ever recovered. Suspects have died off, given the police the run-around, and even gone to prison and served long sentences. But the art itself has never been found.

If you have fine art, it is a very good idea to keep pictures of it in a safe deposit box in a different location than the artwork itself. Try to take photos of the back or any distinguishing characteristics. It’s good to use professional help because fingerprints, strong lighting, humidity, and many other factors can damage the art, even if you can’t tell by looking at it. It’s also important to carry insurance on any very expensive possession (Private Investigation).

Here at BaliDetective, we solve missing or stolen property cases all the time, with discretion and with the highest standards in conduct.

Have you ever had any valuable objects stolen from you, and if so, what did you do to recover it?

Bali Eye Private Investigation Agency (BEPIA) along with our sister agency Indonesia Private Investigation Agency (IPIA) are  fully registered Private Investigation Agencies offering private detective and private investigator services to the Private and Business sectors throughout Indonesia and South East Asia.

Women PIs Part IV

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Female Private Investigator

The Pros and Cons of Womanly Charm

What are the most commonly used techniques for delivering investigative services, and what are the pros and cons of using a female private investigator?

Remember that the Private Investigator does not have police powers and has to rely solely on wits, diligence, and sustainable, legal means to gather information. Otherwise, the PI will not be in business for long.

The three mainstays of the investigation business are surveillance, interview, and public record. Women are certainly capable of handling all three with ease.

While it might be harder for a good-looking woman to melt into the background than a man, all Private Investigators must learn this skill. Can you imagine doing a surveillance job wearing a bright red dress and stiletto heels? Just like male investigators, female investigators learn how to mute the colors and dress for blending in. They can also use tricks such as changing sweaters at intervals while tailing a suspect, so the suspect does not realize that he or she is being watched. Also, women tend to pick up on the styling that is predominant in various sections of town. Dressing too fancy in certain neighborhoods will call attention, and dressing too poorly in other sections will draw attention also. Adjusting makeup and accessories will also play a role.

Another aspect of surveillance that is often overlooked is the verbal skill of blending in. On the off chance that the Private Investigator is drawn into an unwanted conversation, the investigator has to know how to talk the talk and quickly disengage while not arousing any suspicions.

While studies show that women tend to be more aware of semantics and language and more articulate than men overall, women have to deal with nonverbal cues that will attract males, no matter how good their conversational skills. I’ve known women who would purposely pad their bodies to make them look a little pudgy to avoid unwanted male attention while tracking a suspect. This, in conjunction with using street vernacular, helps them. It might seem absurd, and it might not speak highly of societal realities for women, but women who want to remain in private investigative work seem to take these realities in stride and take pride in winning the information they are seeking.

When it comes to interviews, women tend to excel. People, whether male or female, tend to be comfortable confiding in their female friends. Linguist Deborah Tannen’s research showed that women tend to make more encouraging comments while listening, such as, “Uh, huh,” or “I see.” This often makes other women feel important and appreciated during conversations with a female Private Investigator. It often makes men feel that the woman listener agrees with him, even if the woman is only trying to communicate that she’s hearing what he said. In either case, women obviously have some advantages in interviewing, even if it’s only due to societal beliefs that women are not as threatening as men.

Private Investigators rely heavily on public records. This includes sales of real estate, birth and death certificates, licensing, and everything else imaginable. There are public records for just about every area of life. Women tend to be very patient when going through massive quantities of paperwork.

As mentioned in a previous article on the advantages of a stereotype on our Bali Eye Private Investigation Agency website, women are often more open to alternative theories and sometimes this use of imagination results in finding the answer, even if it wasn’t the most likely one. This ability to not only find and catalog facts, but to put them together cohesively, adds to the effectiveness of female Private Investigators.

There is one more absolutely essential factor in investigations. That is the use of paid informants who will introduce an investigator to people who might have information as to what really happened. While risky, it is sometimes absolutely necessary to associate personally with a suspect who may have committed a crime and has every incentive to cover it up. Women, while perhaps more easily introduced to a crime circle because of their ability to seem less intrusive and more desirable, also take a huge risk. If they associate with a group like this for long, it becomes more dangerous with time. Therefore, they have to have some street smarts to compensate for the risk, and they have to be willing to get out as soon as they have the information they need. The need for plausible cover stories is very important here.

Paradoxically, there is no stereotype that fits everybody. You could easily find a male Private Investigator who comes across as very easy to talk to and very nonthreatening, while you could also find female Private Investigators who push the boundaries of assertiveness and could frighten a suspect into spilling the beans. The world is tending towards more equalized opportunity based on abilities rather than stereotypes.

Any activity in life has risks. The risks of private investigation are very real. However, our own experience with women investigators in Bali Eye Private Investigation Agency and in our sister organization, Indonesia Private Investigation Agency, indicates that women can play vital and effective roles in investigative services, helping many people in the process.

Bali Eye Private Investigation Agency (BEPIA) along with our sister agency Indonesia Private Investigation Agency (IPIA) are  fully registered Private Investigation Agencies offering private detective and private investigator services to the Private and Business sectors throughout Indonesia and South East Asia.

Car Theft Solved by Investigators

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Car Theft

From time to time, a private investigator might be asked to track down a missing car. A car can be stolen from a public place, private residence, or a car rental agency.

Types of Car Thefts:

During economically challenged times, car thefts increase. Some people try to steal cars from rental agencies by using fake IDs to rent cars, and then simply never return them. Some steal cars for their own use, whether for regular daily use or for transporting contraband and later abandonment. Some turn the stolen vehicles over to chop shops, where the cars will be used for parts. Some just want a car to take on a race or joyride, and will abandon the car after using it for a period of time.

Some will sell a stolen car to an unsuspecting person, who has no idea that he or she just purchased a stolen vehicle. Sometimes, the owner sold the car in good faith to a person who passed a bad cheque. In other cases, a couple may have surrendered their second car to a re-leasing company to cut down on expenses; however, the car may have been leased to a “customer” who disappeared. Thefts may be for convenience – the thief may have some stolen goods to transport.

No matter what the reason for the theft, it’s up to the private investigator to use his or her ingenuity to figure out what happened and track down the car. It’s always a good idea to file a police report first, but because the police might not be able to take the time to track down your vehicle, a good Private Investigator can come in handy.

How We Track Down the Car:

A Private investigator will use tools such as phone calls, casual conversations, and interviews. A good Investigator knows how to word questions and statements to get the most cooperation. Most people are shocked if someone they know has stolen a vehicle, and they will want to cooperate. The trick is in putting all the pieces of the puzzle together and tracking down hard information that is admissible in a court case.

Investigators can use license plate scanners, GPS tracking that comes with certain cars, handheld devices, cameras mounted on cars, or interviews with anyone whose job requires driving around, such as delivery workers. PI Agencies in some countries might have memberships in professional organizations where information gathered from license plate scanners is stored in a database. Surveillance on public streets is generally legal and does not overstep privacy issues. One popular technique is keep a watchlist of all vehicles reported stolen by owners, and using the scanners to detect license plates of parked vehicles. Since thieves often switch license plates, it can take time.

The human element in the form of social media and community alerts can work wonders, too. Many people have assisted in recovering their own cars by posting pictures of their stolen cars on social media and asking people to share. It’s never a good idea for a friend to confront a car thief, but it can be really useful if they snap pictures or report sightings of the stolen vehicle without getting noticed by the perpetrator.

Clumsy planning on the part of the thief helps, too. Sometimes a thief will falsify an ID card to rent a car that they never return, but use a real address of someone they know. As we interview the person whose address was used, the person might recognize the description of the thief and give us clues as to where to find him or her. We can then conduct a surveillance and get videos of the perpetrator using the stolen car, which will be admissible in court. Once we have enough evidence to stand up in court, we can wait for the perpetrator to turn in for the night and immobilize the car with car boots before there is any attempt to make contact.

Over the years, Private Investigators form relationships with informants. Knowing how to befriend people who can supply information is golden. Cooperation from all sources is the most important key to solving crimes, and a good Private Investigator knows how to form those relationships.

Other sources of information, although not glamorous, are salvage yards, auto manufacturers, trash bins on public streets, and hidden cameras in public areas. We can also keep lists of vehicles with out-of-area registration tags on them, check on the vehicle registration for those tags, and track down the lienholder (lender) for the vehicle. That is public information and we can call the lender to see if the vehicle is stolen.

Another easy way to verify if a car is the one we’re looking for is to check the VIN number, which is often in plain site on the driver’s side.

Repossession of the Car:

Once the car is located, it can be repossessed rather easily and the Private Investigator and client will agree upon the method in advance. Upon finding the car, it can be booted or disabled before the PI does one of three things depending on what the client wants: knocks on the suspect’s door and asks for the keys, notify the police, or notify the client. It is never a good idea for the client to contact the perpetrator, but the client could contact the police.

If the client is a business such as a rental car agency, the client may instruct the Private Investigator to repossess the vehicle. A team of two PIs will drive to the location, boot the car, and explain to the perpetrator who they are and why they are there. They will cite to the violator the specific vehicle codes that were violated and the jail time or fines attached with such crimes. They will be firm but also very professional. Most perpetrators will hand over the keys without too much fuss once confronted. If not, a tow truck can be called to remove the vehicle. This should not be done without hard evidence and knowing the laws in your area.

How to Prevent Theft:

Most vehicles sold nowadays have key codes or tracking systems such as LoJack or Onstar. Some have microdots that tag individual parts of the car, so they can be identified if the car goes to a chop shop. However, even very sophisticated systems can be bypassed by professional thieves.

The best car theft prevention devices, such as ignition interlock and pedal locks, disable the vehicle so that it can’t be moved without the right key. If your car does not come with these devices, you can buy a self-setting immobilizer. Always lock your vehicle and park in the safest spots you can.

Unfortunately, car thefts are very common. Using reasonable security precautions and keeping a photograph and copies of vehicle registration information can help you in case of a theft. A good Private Investigator will work for your better interests in recovering the car.

Bali Eye Private Investigation Agency (BEPIA) along with our sister agency Indonesia Private Investigation Agency (IPIA) are  fully registered Private Investigation Agencies offering private detective and private investigator services to the Private and Business sectors throughout Indonesia and South East Asia.

Trust Your Gut

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I was going through some old papers in a stack of boxes in a warehouse, and found some school notes taken back in the 1960’s in elementary school. The notes were very clear. The elementary school teacher was teaching the kids about animal instinct, but stated that humans had lost instinct long ago in ancient times (Private Investigation Training).

I’m not sure we really know why birds fly south for the winter and how animals can tell when a tsunami is about to hit. But a lot of private investigators believe that following a gut-level instinct can inform and sharpen a search for the truth. In my experience, following a hunch – instinct – may or may not get you to the exact solution, but it’s almost never a waste of time, because it sharpens your idea of what the story is going to turn out to be.

When should you learn to pay attention to your gut-level instincts?

  1. In Cases of Your Safety or the Safety of Another.

Have you ever been walking down the street and felt a tingling feeling on your back? Sometimes your ears, nose, and eyes are experiencing impressions that you’re not fully aware of consciously, because you’re thinking about something else. But your body seems to know. You’re not always right, and we need to use our heads too, but there have been many cases when a person felt they were being followed or watched, and they were right. There are also cases where a person felt concern for a child’s safety and their feelings proved to be right.

  1. Relationship Decisions.

New relationships are great, because both parties are excited and expect the very best. There’s nothing better than riding the wave of that new relationship and enjoying wherever it takes you. But, at some point, if you get a funny feeling about your new partner, I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss it. For many couples, once the “honeymoon” is over, there are very subtle changes in the other spouse’s personality. A few harsh words can easily be ignored, but when you really start to feel that something is wrong, do your best to honor your own gut-level instincts. It could be nothing, and maybe you’ll resolve the problem over time. But if your instinct is right, it may go badly if you hesitate.

  1. Weighing Up Alternatives.

When something’s bothering you and a stack of alternative courses of action are piled up in your mind, sometimes it’s hard to decide which action to choose. One thing I always do is imagine taking each of the alternative roads, and then noticing which alternative makes me feel a sense of calm or relief. When I find one that definitely makes me relax instead of panic, I know I’m on to something. More often than not, that sense of relief is an indicator of which is the best solution (Private Investigation Training).

I don’t know why it works, but I do know that it seems to work. Following my gut-level instincts has served me very well, and helps me stay on top of my game.

Bali Eye Private Investigation Agency (BEPIA) along with our sister agency Indonesia Private Investigation Agency (IPIA) are fully registered Private Investigation Agencies offering private detective and private investigator services to the Private and Business sectors throughout Indonesia and South East Asia.

Traitor In Your Company

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traitor

Detecting Fraud in the Workplace

As an employer, understandably you think it is your responsibility and moral duty to empathize with and trust those working for you. Indeed most of the time that makes the most sense. However, as much as this is important, it is also necessary to at least be aware that there is always the possibility that your employees may get involved in deceitful activity under the garb of honesty. Most employers realize very late that there was a traitor operating right under their nose. And the saddest part of all is it often turns out to be one of their most trusted employees (traitor).

It is necessary to detect and solve the problem of occupational fraud because it not only costs you thousands of dollars but can also result in confidential company information being given out. This article discusses how employers can protect themselves against occupational fraud by identifying behavioural flags at the right time.

First, it is very important to understand what we mean by occupational fraud. It involves using one’s occupation fraudulently for personal gains. The employee in question might steal company money, sell company property (including secrets), and fabricate financial documents or misuse corporate assets.

Why does it happen?

According to criminologist Donald R. Cressey, there are three factors that might instigate an employee to go down the wrong path. It includes incentive, opportunity and rationalization. The incentive is the factor that drives the person to commit a fraud. The first is the desire to live a luxurious life which requires money. The second possible motivation could be economic distress.

Speaking about the aspect of rationalization, the perpetrator tries to justify his actions. In some cases, he is in dire need of the money. He steals the money secretly with the intention of replacing it later before it is known to anyone. However, he gradually goes deeper and deeper not realizing it (traitor).  Second, he chooses to steal because he believes it to be his right. He believes he is not being paid for what he deserves. Finally, he thinks he has earned it.

The third aspect according to Donald R. Cressey is opportunity. The employee in question looks for the right opportunity to commit the fraud. This is either when no one is around or when the fraud controls are relaxed.

Behavioral Patterns (Traitor) That Ring the Bell for You

  • If you have an employee that works extraordinarily hard. You will notice that the person rarely takes time off or works odd hours to complete tasks assigned to him. Also, he or she rarely goes on a vacation. He is planning the whole thing, covering up for it or waiting for the right opportunity.
  • If you have an employee who lives way beyond his means. For example, an employee who finds it hard to meet his monthly budget has recently purchased a pricey car or a luxurious mansion.
  • If an employee is in economic distress. Everyone faces some form of financial crisis. It could be an exorbitant medical bill or a house mortgage. However, there are some who are deep in debt and desperate for money. If such a person is given charge of the cash or checkbooks, you are tempting him to steal.
  • If an employee has specific addictions. It could include substance abuse, alcohol or gambling. These people are always in need of money and they would do anything to get money.
  • If an employee is a real complain box. There might be employees who feel they are underappreciated or under paid and look for other ways to enrich themselves.
  • If there is an employee who becomes suddenly very secretive about his actions and refuses to let anyone else take charge of duties.
  • If there is an employee who is unnecessarily close with stakeholders, vendors and clients.

Indonesia Private Investigation Agency (IPIA) and our sister agency Bali Eye Private Investigation Agency (BEPIA) are fully registered agencies offering investigation services to the private and business sectors throughout Indonesia and South East Asia.

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Counter Surveillance

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counter surveillance

Keeping Eavesdroppers Away

Until a few decades ago, the size and sound of electronic surveillance devices made the process very difficult to keep secret. However today, the ergonomic designs and diminishing sizes have enabled anyone wanting to bug someones house or office in secret increasingly possible and cheap. However, anyone worried that their home or offices have been bugged need not worry (at least about the bugs themselves – the reason why anyone would want to bug someone is a completely different matter). Counter-surveillance technology can help detect bugs and keep eavesdroppers away. Here’s what you need to do and watch out for (counter surveillance).

A Bug Detector

Standard bug detectors identify hidden surveillance devices by means of the radio waves they emit. An RF sweeper is a handy tool in detecting and disabling audio pickup devices. You can conduct a sweep of your home to look for detectors concealed in the wall or ceiling or other hard-to-imagine crevices. Laser detection devices can help you get hold of secret cameras fitted around your house. A laser device typically displays a red spot on the eye finder when it detects a hidden camera while the radio wave frequency increases drastically when it spots an audio pickup (counter surveillance).

Speckled spots

Owing to their small size, surveillance equipment offers a wide range of possibilities when it comes to concealing them. The most common places are within walls and ceilings. Inspect cement structures or for that matter even furniture around the house or office. Spackled spots or newly drilled and plugged holes in furniture demand a re-examination.

Unusual Items

Sometimes, cameras and audio recording devices are hidden in the most unusual places and thus, they elude homeowners easily. A camera can be skillfully attached to a pen, a clock, a lamp or a watch. If you note, these are items you rarely doubt. Also, these are items commonly given as gifts (counter surveillance). The best is to avoid accepting gifts from strangers especially when it includes electronic devices.

Strangers around the House

Home repairs and utility services compel us to call in a number of professionals. It might be a plumber, a meter reader, a courier person or a telephone repairman. Before, you let anyone in, you should ensure he is genuine and not a phony come in the guise of another. The situation gets dicey when they turn up when they are not called. If you’ve had a break in and all your valuables are intact, it is necessary to set up vigilance.

The Exteriors of Windows

When it comes to inspecting a house or office for illegal surveillance, homeowners only tend to search the interiors of living spaces often ignoring the exteriors. The advancement in surveillance technology has made it possible for cameras and audio recorders to take images and pick up voices from a considerable distance. The exterior of windows and doors make a good place for the installation of such devices. They are easy to conceal and also comparatively easier to install; no one has to break into your home.

Phone Tapping

If your phone is tapped, you will hear strange sounds such as clicking, popping or scratching.  You might also notice changes in the volumes. 

When trying to escape surveillance, it’s not only about ridding your home and office spaces of electronic devices. It also involves being on your guard when you converse in public. You should not discuss private matters loudly or in an animated fashion. There might be a person waiting to hear what you are talking about.

Irrespective of the country you reside in, nobody has the right to invade your privacy by tapping your phone or monitoring your house (counter surveillance).

Indonesia Private Investigation Agency (IPIA) and our sister agency Bali Eye Private Investigation Agency (BEPIA) are fully registered agencies offering investigation services to the private and business sectors throughout Indonesia and South East Asia.

 

Going Underground

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Private Investigation Techniques IV

undercover

Indonesia Private Investigation Agency (IPIA) performs a variety of duties for private and business clients. For business clients IPIA has had many anti-corruption and fraud cases. We also regularly run business due diligence checks as part of our services.

Perhaps one of the more “exciting” types of business cases IPIA works on is when we are asked to go “undercover”.

When undercover the private investigators will basically be assuming a false identity. Aims differ but in general an IPIA agent undercover will be trying to get some kind of secret information. It’s traditionally a strategy that is often employed and utilized by IPIA to gather evidence on suspected subjects or criminals.

IPIA’s undercover work has often seen our private investigators posing as an employee for a company where illicit activities are suspected. This has been anything from till dipping, employees stealing stock to middle and senior managers running major (illegal) deals with traders using the company name.

Usually when a client calls IPIA there is already some indication of some wrongdoing. In the majority of the cases where someone is using their company credentials but dealing privately our private investigator will be required to:

  • identify the perpetrator(s) and the chains of involvement and responsibility;
  • identify the scope and extent of the activities (including the amount of money/goods changing hands).

Usually posing as an employee will allow the private investigation to get close to the sources of information and people who know exactly what is happening.

Preparing for Undercover Assignments

At the simplest level going undercover as a private investigator requires some basic skills and traits:

  • the ability to change your personality and play a role;
  • the ability to fit into different situations without raising suspicion;
  • good people skills and ability to talk to anyone from wide range of backgrounds.

These are only a few of the skills you need to be able to undertake undercover private investigation work in Indonesia.

Perhaps the most important skill for an undercover private investigator is the ability to learn new skills and knowledge in a very short space of time.

An IPIA private investigator can be thrown into any number of undercover scenarios. For example IPIA has run undercover operations in the following business areas:

  • paper and pulp;
  • electrical components;
  • fruit processing;
  • hospitality;
  • clothing.

This is quite a diverse range of areas. The undercover agent needs to operate smoothly and convincingly. IPIA can take up to two weeks training our undercover agents in the needed skills and knowledge.

Risks of Undercover Work

Going undercover may be quite thrilling in most cases, but undercover work in real life is much more involved than what the movies show. There can be great risk to the private investigator and care and attention needs to be taken at all times.

Living double lives can become very stressful for IPIA’s private investigators for a number of reasons:

  • undercover work involves extended periods of time where the private investigator will need to be separated from his/her family and his/her usual environment;
  • If left undiscovered or unchecked, various pent up feelings may develop in the form of depression and anxiety;
  • since undercover work, by its very nature, assumes a sense of secrecy, a private investigator has to work alone for long periods of time. This can result in an inability of sharing his/her work related issues and challenges;

In addition to these, there’s also a possibility of corruption of the private investigators themselves resulting from close association and involvement with various criminal elements.  Fortunately this has never happened to IPIA as yet, but we are very aware of this possibility and always place our most highly trusted and experienced private investigators in any undercover work.

Going undercover can also involve playing some very dangerous roles as the private investigator may portray street prostitutes, drug dealers, crime gang members, and many other personalities to collect and gather valuable evidence.

Additionally, a private investigator may also be required to get involved in various activities s/he does not like or agree with or feels are morally wrong. This can be necessary to properly and essentially protect the private investigator’s assigned cover. Psychologically, the private investigator may accept the new role too well, resulting in a loss of the reality of his/her previous identity. Personal integrity is sometimes being sacrificed and compromised to complete an undercover assignment.

Indonesia Private Investigation Agency has found that one of the most common negative elements related to an undercover assignment is a sense and feeling of responsibility and/or guilt. This arises as an outcome of betraying “trust”; the private investigator at some point has to “betray” the criminal. Believe it or not this can be quite difficult, however terrible the crime may be. Most of the time some kind of sympathy and/or empathy may be created for those people whom you’re investigating.

The Positive Side of Undercover Work

Whilst there are negative factors and risks in undercover work, there are also lots of positive attributes as well. Certain investigations actually work very well because of the very proactive role of the private investigator undercover.

It can be very rewarding for the part of the investigator who has successfully investigated a case, regardless of how unique and challenging its nature may be.

Lets not also forget that the preparation for undercover work needs some diverse learning. One of Indonesia Private Investigation Agency’s investigators can now talk knowledgeably on a range of subjects including clothing manufacturing, fruit processing, electronics, paper and the hotel industry.

Indonesia Private Investigation Agency (IPIA) and our sister agency  Bali Eye Private Investigation Agency (BEPIA) are fully registered Private Investigation Agencies offering private detective and private investigator services to the Private and Business sectors throughout Indonesia and South East Asia.

The Art of Surveillance: Part III

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Private Investigation Techniques III

men on box final

Stakeout Hell

Surveillance occupies a critical role of a typical investigator’s day, and it is among their most essential tasks. It is indeed one of the most critical components of any private investigation assignments.

There are of course different activities that a private investigator will undertake. For example record retrieval, interviews and serving court papers. At Indonesia Private Investigation Agency we have agents that specialise in surveillance. Surveillance does take special skills and a certain type of person.

Though surveillance may seem quite exciting at times, it also has certain challenges and disadvantages.

Challenges of Surveillance

  • It is not exactly thrilling to sit all night inside your car and check on someone. It is definitely tiring, both for your mental and physical state. Imagine sitting in your car for literally long hours and you will find that it is one of the most tiring and boring jobs.
  • A lot of people think that surveillance is very exciting. Yes, at some point it is, but there’s much time spent doing absolutely nothing;
  • Watching for a bedroom light to go on or off is fine once or twice. But try doing that over ten days or even longer;
  • Stationary surveillance – sometimes a private investigator needs continuous access to the subject, perhaps watching the person or even a building for several months. This can at times be depressing, consuming much time focusing on one subject or object alone for a very long time.

Problems During Surveillance

  • Extreme heat: Depending on the weather conditions, often in Indonesia Private Investigators can get extremely hot, spending long hours in the sun;
  • Very demanding work schedules: Hours of work can be demanding and varied. Private Investigators may work for long hours, and mostly at odd times, like late nights or early mornings for a very long period of time. Their clients, the requirements of the current investigation, and their subject’s schedule are what dictates their hours. All this switching can sometimes also impact on sleeping rhythms;
  • Dangerous situations: physical confrontation is not (at least through the experience of IPIA), the most worrying danger. The possibility of an accident on Indonesian roads with pot holes, drivers continually breaking the rules, bad lighting and speeding is an ever-present concern. Violence is a possibility, but the truth of the matter is to date none of IPIA’s agents have been victims of violence. IPIA keeps a good distance and one of the top priorities is complete discretion;
  • Unhealthy conditions: Private investigators actually face certain conditions and situations that are definitely detrimental to health. They lack exercises, breath in fumes, sit for hours, and suffer physically and emotionally from stressful situations and isolation. This can cause back pain, weight gain, anxiety, depression, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and asthma. Also private investigators on a stakeout have to control their bladder and bowel movements to an unhealthy degree.

There are actually lots of challenges of running a stakeout. Thus, being a private investigator is indeed one of the most mentally challenging jobs one can ever have. One must be equipped with the skills and qualifications in order to cope with the overwhelming challenges and obstacles associated with this field of work.

Indonesia Private Investigation Agency (IPIA) and our sister agency  Bali Eye Private Investigation Agency (BEPIA) are fully registered Private Investigation Agencies offering private detective and private investigator services to the Private and Business sectors throughout Indonesia and South East Asia.

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