Theft at work

Hiring a private detective for infidelity?

Hiring a private detective for theft at work?

Because …

You notice the stock of that particular product inexplicably declining.
That one employee lingers suspiciously long in the warehouse.
You hear that some systematically start later and finish earlier.

Buytaert & Partners does everything possible to remove your last doubts and provides immediately usable and legally acceptable evidence.

Do you suspect theft at work?

Theft within your company is not only detrimental to your business results but also to the atmosphere in the workplace. Because who in your staff or partners can still be trusted? And how do you solve that?

Company theft is not just about employees stealing money or goods, but also time. For example, by reporting hours they don’t work. Fraud with cycling allowances is also included. Or intellectual theft: the escape of exclusive know-how within a company.

Theft at work is particularly diverse and dependent on the sector. The first signals are usually noticed by you as an employer: large stock discrepancies, a sudden decline of a certain product, material in a strange place, whistleblowers, … What now?

Investigation into company theft: is that allowed?

Investigation into company theft is indeed legal.

As an employer, you may take various measures to prevent company theft. However, you must adhere to certain regulations. For example, you may not just place cameras arbitrarily.

What you may always do is engage a detective agency. We also operate within the legal framework but are just that bit more anonymous.

Tracking lost or stolen goods is one of the main activities of the private detective. (Art 1 § 1 of the Act of July 19, 1991). Recovering stolen goods is desirable, but not always possible.

Through a broad investigation we map out the framework surrounding the theft: how many employees are involved in the incidents, how large-scale is the theft, how long has it been happening, and so on.

Why hire a detective agency?

The great advantage of a detective agency as a partner is that we actively think along with your policy and goals. First and foremost, what do you want to achieve with this investigation?

Do you want to discreetly map out company theft and know who is involved? Send a clear signal to your staff without violating the confidential working atmosphere?
Or do you want to stop these malpractices harshly and recover your losses at all costs? Then we provide strong evidence to substantiate your legal file.

Together we determine an appropriate plan of action, so that your company no longer falls prey to company theft and you can look to the future with peace of mind.

With small interventions, you can already achieve significant gains.

Investigation theft at work: what and how?

1. Intake interview

Our private detective first listens completely free of obligation to your story. Together with you and your legal department, we determine how Buytaert & Partners can be of service to you. After this conversation, you decide whether to collaborate with us.

2. Investigation company theft

During the investigation into company theft, we collect as much evidence as possible. Our research methods depend on your wishes and what is legally permissible.

We organize observations and follow-ups to see who does what at what time. If certain matters are difficult to determine visually, we can, under certain circumstances, call upon the services of a bailiff. He or she then prepares a report of their sensory findings of pure material facts.

You receive a progress report from us every day, providing an overview of performances and expenses. At the end of the assignment, there is a final report. All reports are legally usable.

3. End of assignment

When the investigation into theft at work is concluded depends on the circumstances. Sometimes the private detective gathers enough evidence after 1 day, sometimes several days are needed. Immediate success cannot be guaranteed, but we do commit to a best efforts obligation. As a client, you remain closely involved in the investigation.

That's why you choose Buytaert & Partners, experienced private detectives

30+ Years shared experience

Our detective agency is a highly trained team of experienced professionals who are deeply committed to your case.

Legal expertise

With a Master’s in Law and Criminology, we demonstrate our added value in legal cases.

Personal & client-oriented

Before, during, and after: your private detective is always approachable. The intake conversation is free and without obligation.

Total transparency

From start to finish, you know exactly what to expect. No surprises with us. We keep you updated.

What does research into corporate theft yield?

An anonymous selection from our cases …

Case 1

Our detective agency was engaged by a company that dealt in the storage and distribution of frozen products. High-value products (including foie gras) were systematically misstocked and subsequently disappeared. We were able to map out that there was indeed a clandestine trade going on with these stolen products towards the hospitality industry.

Case 2

In a port company that processed canned food, the rule was that once a pallet was damaged, it could no longer be sold. As a result, warehouse workers would ‘accidentally’ puncture pallets with the forklift. The good cans were taken home. Our private detectives were able to discreetly and accurately record who, what, where, and how.

Case 3

A demolition company found that very little copper was returned from the sites. An investigation by our detectives revealed that an employee regularly loaded copper into his own car boot and stored it in his garden shed. The bailiff was able to officially establish that the employee was running a copper trade with his employer’s material.

Frequently asked questions about corporate theft investigations

How do you collect evidence without alarming the workers?

We always conduct our investigations into theft at work as discreetly as possible. This is also our expertise. If it turns out that an observation at or on the company premises poses too many risks, we shift the focus of the investigation and/or employ other research methods. The strongest evidence is often hidden in unexpected places and very frequently not near the company site.

How do you cooperate with the police or judicial authorities?

As private detectives, we have a general reporting obligation. This means that if we identify an undeniable crime during our work, we are obligated to report it to the Prosecutor’s Office. However, sometimes a crime is not immediately clear. For example: someone places an item into their backpack. Initially, we report this as just a fact, not yet theft. If the client later recognizes this item as a product from the warehouse, it becomes a case of corporate theft. All of our reports are legally sound and contain usable evidence to strengthen a legal case. In this way, we support your legal team.

What further steps can we take based on your findings?

An investigation into theft at work can broadly go two ways:

Either you want to present our findings internally and settle the matter amicably with the involved parties. At the same time, this sends a strong message to all employees for the future.
Or you wish to take legal action and bring the guilty parties to the labor court. In that case, we will work with you and your lawyers to ensure that your case is solid.

How much does a private investigator cost?

Buytaert & Partners works with fixed hourly rates and per-kilometer fees. No additional costs or flat fees. This way, as a client, you always know what to expect. We highly value transparency and open communication. Read more about our approach as a detective agency.

Welke andere detectivediensten leveren jullie?

In addition to investigating workplace theft, we also investigate sickness absence, non-compete clauses, illicit work, and leasing fraud. We also assist individuals and lawyers.

Engage these private detectives to uncover theft at work in a discreet, transparent, and results-oriented way?