Our Experience

We were appointed as receivers and managers of an Australian entity by the Federal Court on the basis of suspected fraud. Investors advanced around $8 million in funds to the company, which were converted to cryptocurrency and used for purposes inconsistent for which they were invested. The investigations included tracing a significant volume of cryptocurrency transactions and considering potential recovery action.

We were engaged by a high net-worth client for the purpose of creating an Origin of Funds expert report to release a significant amount of Bitcoin from an international digital currency exchange. Our work included the complex recreation of over 10 years worth of transactions, a flow of funds diagram, and an accompanying report to be provided to the exchange as proof of ownership over deposits.

We were engaged to perform a digital asset investigation to identify and trace stolen Bitcoin from a privately owned cryptocurrency wallet. Our client inadvertently exposed their private key to an unknown party, in which over $650,000 was stolen from their private wallet. Our investigation identified the location the Bitcoin for the purpose of digital asset seizure and recovery, and assisted in compiling transactional information that can be used in a potential class action against a large multi-national organisation.

We undertook an independent review of an Aboriginal and Islander School on behalf of the Non-State Schools Accreditation Board (NSSAB). We were engaged to assess the suitability of the governing body in accordance with the NSSAB accreditation criteria. This included reviewing the governing body’s relationships, policies and procedures, and financial decisions. We made a number of recommendations to the NSSAB in relation to improving governance, policies and procedures and maintaining appropriate records.

Conducted an independent investigation into an alleged fraud by two employees using customer credit card details. The investigation examined mailboxes and laptops to identify relevant communications. Our investigations confirmed that an employee had recorded the credit card information of customers and had made personal purchases using these particulars. We also identified a number of procedural and control weaknesses in respect of the way customer information was being handled and communicated within the business.

Acted as an Independent expert in relation to the forensic analysis of an electronic document being brought before a court. We were engaged by Holding Redlich to identify the metadata properties of the document and provide our findings in a report to the engaging party. As a requirement of the engagement, we were to be retained as the digital forensic expert in the event that evidence was to be presented in the Supreme Court of Queensland.

Conducted an independent investigation into an Australian subsidiary of a US Parent company due to concerns of inappropriate accounting practices. Our investigation involved analysing the accounting system, reviewing policies and examining electronic data to identify whether any inappropriate accounting and authorisations took place, and whether it involved collusion amongst employees. Our independent report provided management with detailed findings for consideration and assisted them with making a decision on whether any further action would be required.

Conducted an independent investigation into Government funding provided to a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), specifically relating to concerns that funding had been obtained dishonestly. Our investigation involved a site inspection, staff interviews and the examination of financial data and physical student records to determine whether the RTO had complied with relevant standards and funding agreements. Our investigations identified that $2m had been claimed by the RTO dishonestly through the falsification of qualifications and student records.

We performed a review and quantification of employee payroll entitlements for a multinational retailer. Our review involved recalculating employee entitlements under the General Retail Award over the period since business acquisition and comparing these to actual payments made to employees. We identified discrepancies and prepared a report for the client’s legal advisors which formed the basis of self-reporting to the Fair Work Ombudsman.

We delivered an independent review and calculation of salary entitlements during an extensive review period from 2006 to 2019 for a water service provider. Our extensive model produced fortnightly calculations for more than 400 employees for the last 14 years. This was beneficial to facilitate the necessary discussions and remediation.

Investigation into allegations of conflict of interest, kickbacks and procurement anomalies by a high level technical employee and a current supplier. We identified information indicating a number of money transfers between the parties where appropriate explanations could not be provided, a private relationship between the owner of the supplier and the employee, and emails indicating some involvement of the employee in the establishment of the supplier company.

Investigation into allegations of bribery and kickback payments being made to an employee who had been ‘groomed’ by personnel from a network of related service providers. The employee received payments in return for assisting the providers submit the most competitive price. Our work utilised the services of private surveillance contractors, liaising with whistleblowers and the interrogation of electronic data held by our client. The employee’s employment was terminated following our investigation.

Conducted an independent investigation into allegations that a government employee had failed to declare conflicts of interest, misused authority in a tender process, misused a corporate credit card and accepted gifts and benefits that were not declared. We examined mailbox accounts, computers and mobile phones as well as tender documentation and conflict of interests and gifts and benefits registers. The investigation substantiated the allegations and resulted in the the termination of this employee.

Appointed as an Independent Expert in a class action litigation matter concerning the accounting and disclosure of losses on a troubled construction project. Our expert was engaged by the defendant’s legal counsel to provide an opinion on the operation of the Australian Accounting Standards and a response to the expert report submitted by the Plaintiffs. The matter reached a successful settlement prior to trial.

We were engaged to conduct an independent investigation into complaints of sexual harassment and bullying in the catering arm of an integrated services client. We conducted formal interviews with nine witnesses and persons of interest in respect of these allegations. Our work identified potential breaches of legislation and policies within the organisation. Our work was considered by senior HR personnel as part of their considerations on whether to implement disciplinary action.

We were engaged by our client’s legal advisors to provide a forensic accounting expert quantification of potential incorrect payroll payments made to employees engaged under the Road Transport Distribution Award. Our calculations formed the basis of communications with the Fair Work Ombudsman and over 300 impacted employees. We have also delivered a comprehensive payroll compliance audit after the Fair Work Ombudsman required our client to conduct an annual audit on a sample basis of pay periods.

We were engaged as Supervisors and Forensic Auditors over a real estate business where concerns were held as to the Principal’s competency. Due to illness the Principal had not been recording daily transactions accurately and significant work was required to reconcile the agency’s Trust Account in order to identify creditors. As part of our work we managed the affairs of the agency, reviewed existing property contracts and ensured tenancy matters were transferred to new agencies.

Independent investigation into allegations raised by whistleblowers relating to the procurement and project management of consultants engaged to work on the delivery of a highly complex IT systems transformation project. We utilised our online web review platform to examine a large volume of data and identify relevant information in relation to the allegations and project governance.

Assisted a major Australian regional bank to prepare formal submissions prior to appearing before the Commission. We worked closely with internal and external legal advisers using our e-Discovery technology, project management expertise to identify and produce protocol compliant documents to the Commission from a data set in excess of 6.5 million documents.

Developed and assisted in the implementation of an updated integrity framework that included the rollout of an online integrity survey to all staff and contractors. We updated, and in some cases developed key policies, delivered awareness training to all staff and contractors and implemented an independent integrity reporting platform.

Independent investigation into allegations of corruption by a senior Qld Public Servant who was alleged to have been involved in a conflict of interest with a supplier who had been contracted, in breach of procurement guidelines, to deliver in excess of $2miillion of professional services to the Department.

We undertook a forensic review of payments made by a Principal to an agent over a twelve month period to determine the validity of these payments. Our investigation identified a series of fraudulent payments, through the use of fictitious invoices. Our work supported a High Court search order and related arbitration.

Technology Expert in the first International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) case ever heard in Australia. The matter related to contractual arrangements of a Fuel Supply Arrangement for the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste. The dispute also involved an Australian energy company supplying oil, fuel and power generators throughout the Pacific.

Investigation into allegations against a subcontractor. We were engaged to provide forensic, analytical and accounting services to a multinational operational services organisation following concerns raised about a subcontractor. Our enquiries focussed on the corporate structure of the subcontractor, its shareholders together with invoicing, third party payments, supply chains and accounting records.

Independent compliance review of a conflicts management framework at a superannuation fund: Under SPS 521. Appointed to assess the framework as to its appropriateness, effectiveness and adequacy, to identify any areas of non-compliance and provide a report to the Board setting out our findings and any areas for improvement.

Appointed Independent Compliance Expert in relation to an Enforceable Undertaking. We reviewed securities trading policies and procedures, reported on their adequacy and provided recommendations. A detailed trade review program was required under the Enforceable Undertaking which included a review of sample trades and related communications over specified periods. 

Economic loss assessment arising from an injunction preventing our client selling a generic pharmaceutical in the Australian market. We quantified the loss and built a robust, transparent and flexible financial model which facilitated review of the impacts of a number of different legal arguments. The matter was settled by our client prior to trial.

We were engaged to investigate whistleblower allegations of employee misconduct including the theft of tooling, scrap metal and company fuel, collusion and the unauthorised operation of a business. The investigation was conducted remotely with interviews taking place via video conferencing. A number of employees were terminated as a result of our investigation and the company reported several events to the police.

Engaged to investigate allegations of illicit cash payments being made to an employee of a large scrap metal facility following a whistleblower report. A review was performed into the employee’s practice of issuing ‘false’ tickets that were subsequently redeemed for cash. Our report quantified the loss and provided supporting evidence for the NSW Police.

Independent Computer Expert. The dispute related to a broadcasting arrangement and considered the application of traditional broadcasting in the context of more modern digital streaming of on demand content. Presented evidence in the Supreme Court of New South Wales, around the functionality and accuracy of Internet Protocol (IP) Geolocation services in Australia.

Appointed Independent Expert by an ASX listed entity under an Enforceable Undertaking in relation to continuous disclosure requirements. We assessed the adequacy of Rhinomed’s existing framework to deal with Continuous Disclosure and Corporations Act obligations. We reviewed policies and procedures, delivered training, made recommendations for improvement and provided a written report.

A purchaser of a construction business took issue with earnings and assets post acquisition. An assessment of the losses derived had the significant contracts stayed with the business was sought. We identified inconsistencies and errors regarding the valuation approach of the purchaser's expert. The court held the vendor was entitled to secure the relevant contracts.

Managed the review process, expediting the manual review of documents in response to an ASIC notice. The review required a deep understanding of financial markets and the ability to distinguish behaviours that could constitute market manipulation. Sophisticated technology was used to examine large volumes of data and an experienced team reviewed communications.

Our client was a part of a Joint Venture combining maritime engineering expertise and large-scale resources projects. We reviewed costs incurred against the tender, variations and known delays. We identified significant cost increases compared to budget for particular types of labour. This allowed our client to resolve the dispute.

Commonwealth Bank's Open Advice Review (OAR) Program: Appointed as Independent Forensic Expert to the OAR Program for customer remediation. We developed criteria for a risk-based review of clients registering for the Program. We developed protocols and criteria for client file reviews and a register of file anomalies and/or criminal breaches.

Independent investigation into allegations of bribery and corruption involving senior executives colluding with external parties. We reported to an independent committee chaired by a former Federal Court judge and Royal Commissioner. The investigation uncovered evidence to support the allegations. We supported our client by reporting to regulators, law enforcement and informing its auditors.

Engaged to review a major Telco's fraud risk methodology. We conducted a fraud risk assessment on the procurement function. As part of this assignment, we created detailed process maps of the procurement function and compiled a register of fraud risks. The methodology used has been adopted across the enterprise.

Independent Expert in a major construction project which required forensic analysis of costs, cost accounting and a report for arbitration. We quantified the costs associated with a successful $100m+ Change order. We identified all lay witness statements necessary to support the quantification. The matter settled prior to arbitration.

Investigation into allegations of overcharging, kickbacks and hosting inappropriate material by the Chief Technology Officer and a former supplier. We identified evidence of collusion to inflate invoices, charges for equipment and services never provided, kickbacks in excess of $1m and inappropriate material being hosted on our client’s network.

Investigation into allegations of bribery and corruption in respect of operations in Mauritania. This involved the examination of emails and accounting data accessed from in country, data analytics, conducted interviews and examined documentation in respect of contracts and acquisition of goods and services in country.

Engaged by an Australian company captured by the UK Bribery Act operating in high risk jurisdictions in Africa. We undertook an in-country assessment focusing on their operations, policies and processes and provided specific recommendations on improving processes and meeting the obligations of the UK Bribery Act.