our works
Zion Advisory always focuses on client's needs and aims to resolve issues with great efficiency. No matter it is an imperative investigation in response to a litigation or a proactive fraud risk review for the business development, we address to client issues and provide our services in a professional manner. Below are some of the cases that we have handled in the past.
Misappropriation of company funds by an employee
An MNC selling FMCG with local offices in Hong Kong and China, received an anonymous complaint alleging the finance manager who oversees Hong Kong and China offices had misappropriated company funds by submitting falsified invoices and manipulating accounting system entries. A full scale investigation, consisting of computer forensics, forensic accounting and collection of business intelligence, was conducted. In addition to securing evidences supporting the complainant's allegations, we uncovered additional fraud schemes adopted by the same perpetrator. This breakthrough in findings enabled our client to increase their claim amount by 120% to over USD 5 million. Our client further engaged us to provide litigation support to their lawyers and barristers for the civil actions against the perpetrators, and assist in liaising with the law enforcement agency in relation to the criminal investigation.
Intellectual property theft by employees
An anonymous complaint was sent to the CEO of the MNC alleging two senior engineers had stolen the company's product drawings and technical production manuals to set up their own factory manufacturing infringing products. We performed an extensive research and intelligence gathering exercise and successfully identified the company set up by the duo in Guangdong Province, China. Nevertheless, according to company search, the business address is located in a residential block where production is not feasible. Computer forensics analysis of the perpetrators' computers identified the actual location of the factory together with evidence of IP theft. Observation was mounted on the factory and secured further visual evidence in relation to the production lines and the products produced by the factory. The identities and locations of certain customers of the factory were also identified by our field investigation.
Kickback scheme by procurement supervisors
An anonymous complainant, claiming to be a staff of a vendor of an MNC, sent an email to the legal counsel of the group alleging a procurement supervisor based in China had been taking kickbacks from his company as well as several other vendors in the region. We performed an in depth computer forensics exercise on the computer and mobile phone of the perpetrator. Our review successfully secured evidence of the kickback agreements and transactions between the procurement supervisor and related vendors. Our investigation further uncovered another procurement staff of the team had been corruptly colluding with other vendors with a similar scheme. A report, together with a file of evidence, was prepared by us for the client's legal actions against the perpetrators.
Design and implementation of anti-fraud and business ethics program
Our specialists assisted a global retailer to design and implement a business ethics and anti-fraud framework for its set up in the Asia Pacific region. Upon reviewing the existing corporate governance structure, a set of compliance policies and training materials were formulated aiming to minimise the opportunities for fraudulent activities and also build an ethical culture within the organisation including protocols for supplier due diligence, pre-employment screening for key positions, stakeholder survey, whistleblower program and investigation mechanism.
what our clients say
Due to the sensitive nature of our work, we take confidentiality very seriously. However, some of our MNC or Fortune 500 clients are cordial and willing to speak with our potential clients to share their experiences with us. Should you want to learn more about us from the mouth of our corporate clients, please let us know and we will make the necessary arrangement for you.