Investigation Services
Financial Fraud Investigations in New York City
Forensic investigation of embezzlement, partner fraud, securities misconduct, and complex financial schemes.
Financial fraud investigation is where private investigation overlaps with forensic accounting, asset tracing, and litigation support. Our financial fraud cases typically involve embezzlement by a trusted employee or business partner, hidden assets in divorce or estate disputes, securities or investment fraud, and the broader category of fraud against businesses by insiders.
Embezzlement and partner fraud
The hardest fraud to detect is fraud committed by trusted people. The bookkeeper who's been with the company for years, the partner who controls the financial side, the family member running the family business. These cases need both surveillance (because you need to know what's being done outside the office) and forensic financial work (because you need to document the paper trail). We coordinate with forensic accountants when that level of work is needed.
Hidden asset investigations
In contested divorces and contested estates, hidden assets. Undeclared bank accounts, offshore holdings, properties in nominee names, business interests structured to look like someone else's. Are extremely common. Our hidden asset work includes lifestyle analysis (what is someone spending vs. what they claim to earn), document tracing, and where appropriate, surveillance to set up actual control over assets that appear on paper to belong to someone else.
Investment and securities fraud
Ponzi schemes, fake investment opportunities, advance fee scams targeting wealthy people. These are unfortunately ongoing in New York, and they often need investigative work to recover funds or build the case for criminal referral. We work with attorneys and sometimes with the SEC or FBI on the larger cases.
Insurance fraud. Separate practice
Insurance fraud is a distinct service line. See our dedicated Insurance Fraud page. The investigative methods overlap, but insurance fraud cases run on insurer or defense counsel timelines and are billed differently.
Official sources you can check yourself
We would rather you check this than take our word for it. These are the primary sources behind the guidance on this page.
- FBI IC3 annual reports. Published loss figures by fraud type, useful for seeing where the real money goes.
- FTC fraud reporting. Where to file a federal fraud report. Do this early, because the report number is what banks ask for.
- New York Department of State license search. Look up any New York investigator by name or license number. Ours is #11000169770.
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Financial Fraud case in New York?
Financial Fraud case in New York?
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Financial Fraud
Financial fraud cases we handle
- ✓Embezzlement and employee theft
- ✓Hidden assets in divorce or lawsuits
- ✓Investment and Ponzi schemes
- ✓Partnership and shareholder fraud
- ✓Traced by a New York private investigator
- ✓Supported by a private detective who follows the money
- ✓Decades of private investigator experience behind every case
Cost & What You Get
What a financial fraud investigation costs in New York
Financial fraud work is scoped case by case and usually set up on a retainer billed against hourly investigative and forensic work, because the effort depends entirely on how complex the money trail is.
The main things that move the fee:
- the complexity of the transactions and the money trail
- the number of accounts, entities, and people involved
- whether assets cross state or national borders
- the volume of documents to review
- whether you need litigation ready reporting and testimony
An asset search covering judgments, liens and bankruptcies is a flat $400 and takes about 2 days. Tracing money across multiple entities and jurisdictions is scoped to the case and billed against a retainer. Every case is quoted individually. The initial consultation with David is free and confidential, and you’ll get a written estimate before any work begins, with no obligation.
What you receive
- a documented money trail and asset findings
- supporting records and exhibits
- a clear, litigation ready written report
- coordination with your attorney or forensic accountant
- testimony where the matter is contested
Frequently Asked Questions
Financial Fraud Investigations. Your questions answered
Straight answers to what clients ask most. If yours isn't here, call David directly for a free, confidential consultation.
What kinds of financial fraud do you investigate?
Embezzlement, partnership and shareholder fraud, investment and Ponzi schemes, hidden assets in divorce or litigation, vendor and procurement fraud, and elder financial exploitation. We trace money and document the conduct behind the loss.
Can you find hidden assets?
Yes. Asset searches combine public records, corporate filings, property and lien data, and lawful database research to surface bank relationships, business interests, real estate, and other holdings a subject may be concealing in a divorce, judgment, or fraud matter.
Will your findings hold up for my attorney or in court?
Yes. We gather details through lawful means and document the chain clearly, so the results support civil litigation, support proceedings, and criminal referrals. We work alongside your counsel and can testify to our findings.
How much does a fraud investigation cost?
It scales with complexity. An asset search covering judgments, liens and bankruptcies is a flat $400 and takes about 2 days. Tracing a multi entity scheme is scoped work billed against a retainer. We give you an estimate before starting, with the first consultation free.
Should I contact you before or after going to my lawyer?
Either works. Many clients come to us first to confirm what happened, then bring documented findings to counsel. Others are referred by their attorney. We coordinate smoothly with lawyers and can work under their direction when that is preferable.
How much does a financial fraud investigation cost in New York?
Financial fraud investigations are scoped individually. An asset search is a flat $400 and takes about 2 days, while tracing funds across multiple entities and jurisdictions runs on a retainer billed against hourly work. We assess the scope and give you a clear estimate after a free, confidential consultation.
Related Services
Investigations that often go together
New to working with an investigator? See how we work, our confidentiality standards, or why a licensed PI matters.
From the field: What motivates financial fraud · How attorneys use surveillance to win cases.
Working in New York City
The city we operate in. Today’s conditions and who lives here
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New York Intelligence Agency works across all five boroughs and the surrounding metro. Understanding the population we serve. Its scale, density, and makeup. Informs how we plan surveillance, locate people, and build cases in the city.
8.5M
Residents across the five boroughs
3.2M
Households citywide
$76,600
Median household income
38
Median age (years)
41%
Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher
68%
Live in renter occupied homes
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (New York City).