A Case Study for Employee Theft Investigation
Case Study: Employee Theft – Cash Misappropriation
Client: A Luxury Retail Store (Name Withheld)
Location: Connaught Place, New Delhi
Date: October 2021
Case Code: TI1176-EMP01-102021-CASH
Background
The client, a high-end retail store dealing in fashion accessories and luxury goods, noticed a recurring discrepancy in daily cash collections, amounting to ₹2–3 lakhs per month. The internal accounts team failed to trace the shortfall, and suspicion gradually pointed toward one of the store supervisors, Mr. V.K., a long-time employee with trusted access.
The store management hired Trident Investigations to conduct a discreet internal investigation.
Objective
To confirm whether Mr. V.K. was involved in the cash theft and gather concrete, court-admissible evidence without alerting the suspect or other employees.
Investigation Methods Used
1. Covert Surveillance (On-Site & Off-Site)
- A plainclothes investigator was deployed as a trainee staff member.
- Hidden CCTV cameras (with client approval) were installed near the cash counter and supervisor’s cabin.
- External surveillance was set up to monitor Mr. V.K.’s activities before and after work.
2. Time & Transaction Analysis
- Trident’s financial forensics expert matched POS records, billing logs, and physical cash drops from the past 3 months.
- Patterns emerged: minor alterations in bill prints, and manual overrides during evening shift closings—only on days supervised by Mr. V.K.
3. Marked Currency Trap
- With the client’s coordination, investigators placed marked ₹500 and ₹2000 notes in the cash drawer on a specific date.
- After the day’s cash submission, those notes were missing, and the cash count was short again.
- Surveillance footage showed Mr. V.K. pocketing a bundle subtly before logging out.
4. Lifestyle Monitoring
- Investigators noted that Mr. V.K. had recently:
- Purchased a new bike (in cash).
- Took frequent short vacations.
- Was seen visiting a local gambling den (confirmed via external informants).
5. Witness Interviewing (Discreet)
- Select staff members were privately interviewed.
- One billing associate hinted at irregular end-of-day cash handling but feared reporting due to Mr. V.K.’s seniority.
Findings
- Surveillance and financial audits confirmed that over ₹6.5 lakhs were stolen over a 3-month period.
- Evidence included:
- Hidden camera footage.
- Time-stamped logs and transaction records.
- Possession of marked notes by Mr. V.K.
- Corroborative statements from staff.
Outcome
- The client confronted Mr. V.K. with documented evidence.
- He confessed and agreed to settle the amount to avoid legal proceedings.
- His employment was terminated with immediate effect, and the matter was not escalated legally at the client’s discretion.
Conclusion
This case highlights how methodical observation, undercover presence, and financial audits, when combined, can expose theft with precision and discretion.
Trident Investigations ensured confidentiality, professionalism, and rapid turnaround, allowing the business to restore both financial security and staff trust.
When it comes to finding the best private detective agency in Delhi, trust only the experts. Trident Investigations Network is now the Leading Private Detective Agency in South Delhi. Contact Trident Spy today for a free consultation on private detective services in Delhi and let us uncover the truth for you.
