Investigations
& Security

Supporting our clients in responding to complex global risks, Blackpeak provides multi-jurisdictional investigations and security services.

Blackpeak responds in the private sector with global reach and technical acumen.

Blackpeak is regularly engaged to conduct complex investigations by clients including law firms, investment banks, hedge funds and private equity firms and multinational corporations. Whether the goal is to identify evidence in relation to a suspected fraud or conflict of interest, understand undisclosed financial, reputational and political liabilities, or identify the assets of an individual or entity, our global team of local-language analysts, field investigators and experienced case managers is ready to assist.

Our investigators include former law enforcement, financial researchers, policy analysts and investigative journalists. Many members of our team hold globally-recognized certifications including the ACFE’s Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), the International Compliance Associations’ Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and the GIAC Certified Forensic Examiner (GCFE) certifications.

With expertise in local laws, regulations and political climates, we understand the importance of legally and ethically navigating every jurisdiction in the region while ensuring that we help our clients obtain the best evidence, information and intelligence possible. Complex investigations and security matters regularly conducted by Blackpeak include the following:

  • Fraud investigations
  • Whistleblower investigations
  • FCPA investigations
  • Conflict-of-interest investigations
  • Employee misconduct investigations
  • Regulatory and compliance investigations
  • Asset tracing
  • Litigation support and dispute intelligence
  • Digital forensics investigations and e-discovery
  • Intellectual property and trade secret theft investigations
  • Surveillance, security audits and crisis response

Internal Investigation

Blackpeak works closely with our clients’ in-house security teams, in-house or external counsel in responding to complex internal risks including fraud, conflict of interest, corruption, IP and trade secret theft and/or employee misconduct. Our team of seasoned investigators responds quickly and discreetly, providing valuable strategic input. Such projects range from large regional investigations that take several months or longer, to quick and targeted fact-finding in crises. We also conduct training for clients on responding to internal risks effectively and adequately.

Litigation & Dispute Support

For clients who are anticipating litigation, Blackpeak conducts targeted investigations to understand the background of counterparties and gather information of interest within the legal constraints of the jurisdiction in question. For clients whose cases are ongoing or have concluded, we often work closely with their legal counsel to draw up response plans to maximize gains, minimize losses or take counter action.

Intellectual Property

Blackpeak provides end-to-end intellectual property protection on a country-specific, regional and global basis. Our program recognizes that brand protection starts at the IP owner’s front door. Counterfeiters no longer wait for new product launches to copy designs; pre-launch counterfeits can fetch high prices on the black market. Employees are targeted and offered significant sums of money to steal the latest designs and photos of products still under development. Counterfeiters intent on replicating genuine products also steal labels and packing cartons from brand owners’ factories.

From prevention and monitoring to evidence collection and enforcement, our 360-degree intellectual property protection program provides you with a comprehensive way to tackle the root of the problem.

Digital Forensics and e-Discovery

Our digital forensics practice is fully integrated into our investigations team. Not only do we understand how to obtain, handle, transport, and analyze digital evidence in a secure and forensically sound manner, we also have in-depth knowledge and experience with local legal, regulatory, and political climates. Depending on the situation and jurisdiction, this may involve imaging and setting up a triage forensics lab on-site, constructing a local server for review at a law firm office, or secure transportation back to our digital forensics lab for in-depth analysis.

Our related services

Cyber Security

Case Studies

See some recent examples of how we’ve helped clients understand and evaluate

Asset Search

Counterfeiting

Whistleblower

Digital Forensics

Asset Search

Blackpeak was engaged to conduct an international asset search into a borrower that failed to make interest payments and was showing signs of financial distress. Blackpeak identified a public records footprint for the borrower in several jurisdictions, as well as litigation records indicating that he had previously been involved in several debt-related disputes. Blackpeak was able to determine that the borrower and his family members owned several properties, holding companies and likely also luxury vehicles, beyond what the borrower had reported to the client.

Counterfeiting

A nutritional food supplier needed to respond quickly after receiving complaints from consumers about counterfeits being sold in chain stores and pharmacies. Blackpeak dispatched teams of investigators visiting hundreds of sellers, purchasing samples and collecting evidence. With notarized evidence in hand, investigators were able to gain the support of an informant in the market, who blew the whistle on the ringleader. After collecting information about the business associates, product pick-up schedules and logistics depots, the intelligence was passed to the client and public security bureau for enforcement action.

Whistleblower

Following allegations from whistle-blower employees Blackpeak was engaged to investigate an executive suspected of receiving kickbacks from several associated parties after awarding them contracts. Blackpeak conducted interviews and reviewed internal documents alongside legal counsel and conducted in-depth public records research and discreet human intelligence inquiries on the executive, his alleged accomplices and the companies alleged to have paid him kickbacks. In addition, Blackpeak’s computer forensics team conducted a forensic review of relevant laptops and mobile devices. Ultimately, the client gained insight into the extent of the misconduct by the executive as well as the motivations of the whistleblower.

Digital Forensics

Blackpeak was engaged by a multinational client in response to allegations of data theft made against a senior manager at one of the multinational’s Asian subsidiaries. Blackpeak’s digital forensics team conducted forensic imaging of company-issued laptops onsite and securely transported the encrypted data back to our digital forensics lab for analysis. Through analysis of digital evidence, we were able to determine that the subject had accessed the client company’s shared server from an external location via a remote login and misappropriated a number of confidential documents.

On The Topic

From our investigations & security know how

Blackpeak Tête-à-Tête: Navigating Debt and Fraud Risk in a Pandemic

 Blackpeak Tête-à-Tête: Navigating Debt and Fraud Risk in a Pandemic 1200 675 Blackpeak

For this episode, recorded on July 8th, Alex Nasr welcomes Chaim Estulin, APAC senior editor at Debtwire, to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the distressed debt environment in Asia and how it has increased the risk for certain types of fraud.

SCMP | Cybercrime Lurks as Biggest Work-From-Home Experiment Puts State, Corporate Secrets in Peril

 SCMP | Cybercrime Lurks as Biggest Work-From-Home Experiment Puts State, Corporate Secrets in Peril 1200 675 Blackpeak

Blackpeak’s Director of Strategy Sean Chen commented on the potential for cybersecurity risks as the COVID-19 outbreak has led to the largest work-from-home experiment in Asia.

FinanceAsia | Anti-graft Arrests Will Not Stop China’s Financial Liberalisation

 FinanceAsia | Anti-graft Arrests Will Not Stop China’s Financial Liberalisation 1200 675 Blackpeak

Alex Nasr’s opinion on the recent arrest of Liu Shiyu, former chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission.

Financial Times | US Sanctions Companies Linked to Japanese Yakuza

 Financial Times | US Sanctions Companies Linked to Japanese Yakuza 1200 675 Blackpeak

David Suzuki’s opinion on the sanctions that the US government has imposed on companies linked to Japanese anti-social forces.

Sector Focus: Chemicals

 Sector Focus: Chemicals 1200 675 Blackpeak

Blackpeak’s team has undertaken successful investigations and research projects in chemical segments in both the public and private sectors.

Intellectual Property Practice

 Intellectual Property Practice 1200 675 Blackpeak

Blackpeak has investigated IP infringement in various industries with 50 brand protection programs completed since 2012.

The Business Times | Sherlock Holmes of Shenton Way

 The Business Times | Sherlock Holmes of Shenton Way 1200 675 Blackpeak

Blackpeak founder Chris Leahy shared an interesting case from a past investigation project in Singapore with the Business Times.

ACFE | 3 Techniques for Finding Low-Profile Individuals

 ACFE | 3 Techniques for Finding Low-Profile Individuals 1200 675 Blackpeak

Charles Chia, Blackpeak Senior Associate, gives three tips that should breathe new life into your search for low-profile individuals

Cyber security Challenges in Japan’s Cryptocurrency Market

 Cyber security Challenges in Japan’s Cryptocurrency Market 1000 563 Blackpeak

In December 2017, the price of a bitcoin was more than USD 19,000 – nearly fifteen times the price for an…

WSJ | China’s New Tack on Corruption Adds Risks for Foreign Firms

 WSJ | China’s New Tack on Corruption Adds Risks for Foreign Firms 1200 675 Blackpeak

Blackpeak’s report on the new China’s National Supervisory Law featured in Dow Jones

Security Awareness in Japan

 Security Awareness in Japan 1200 675 Blackpeak

Despite being one of the safest countries in the world, Japan lags behind many other economies when it comes to security and safety measures to protect the country against major threats such as terrorism, cyber-attacks or geopolitical tensions.

WSJ | Investors Gun-Shy as China Pulls Trigger on Shenzhen Stock Link

 WSJ | Investors Gun-Shy as China Pulls Trigger on Shenzhen Stock Link 1200 675 Blackpeak

Blackpeak Director of Strategy, Sean Chen, quoted in the Wall Street Journal to comment on DD requirements for Shenzhen investments As…

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