The walk took a total of seven hours 20 minutes and started in bright sunshine.  Upon reaching the summit some four hours later we found ourselves in the clouds walking through snow. On the way down we were soon back in the sunshine and able to stop by the waterfall for a short lunch break.

We are extremely pleased in these difficult times to have raised in the region of £1500 for the charity and hope we will be able to raise more in 2010, when we will undertake a similar challenge.

If you would like to donate please go to www.justgiving.co.uk/licencebureau/

A successful trace was undertaken and a new address identified for both the hirer and the vehicle for recovery.

Recovery was completed after discussions with the hirer however to our surprise the car was being used as a dog kennel for a ‘Newfoundland’. The interior of this new car left a lot to be desired with dog hair and slobber throughout not to mention general debris from the hirer himself.

I think it is fair to say that the hirer is now certainly ‘In the Dog House’ with our client.

A dirty job, but a mess well and truly dealt with!!

Over the years our non corporate cases have included Stalkers, fraudsters and blackmailers to name a few.

In 2008 we were contacted by a client who stated their friend needed urgent help. The friend had called Police as they were victim of a deception. The suspect being a psychic con artiste, they had met through sky TV and Police were somewhat sceptical.

Our task was to interview the victim at length and provide Police with a time line of events showing exactly how the con had been committed over a number of months. Our actions not only identified the suspects but also provided the officers with details of mobiles, jewellery and other items they needed to seize when searching premises.

Our actions took only 6 hours and Police were able to arrest interview and gather the crucial evidence.

The case was heard at St Albans Crown Court where the two suspects were sentenced to 3 years and 30 months imprisonment respectively.

For full details of the story go to the DAILY Mail website at:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1192159/Lovesick-chef-loses-12-000-psychic-medium-sees-fraud-trial-coming-flees-country.html

Repossessing cars is a tricky business and a career not to be taken lightly.

One of our first repossessions in 1989 ended with the driver reported to  Police for dangerous driving and the vehicle impaled on the top of railings having tried to evade the recovery. The driver had made off across a grass lawn almost running us over in the process.

Since 1989 incidents have been few and far between even though we have dealt with both organised crime as well as the more simple cases. At all times our aim is to ensure we have the upper hand or element of surprise, our team having the  experience to negotiate and talk our way out of most situations. This month after a protracted trace investigation we recovered a vehicle from the son of a hirer. The negotiation for recovery we thought had gone well.

On inspection of the vehicle for recovery we found that all the wheel nuts were loose. The vehicle was deposited at the car auctions in full working order.

Our team received a timely reminder that no matter how pleasant a third party may seem, never forget the recovery process and your training.

The standard has a number of auditable measures including process and quality of service to all our customers.

The next step is ISO 27001 accreditation which relates to Data Security.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require any further information.

All we seem to hear these days are stories of debt and deception and our industry is perceived as a necessary evil in those matters which cause pain and suffering whether to individuals or businesses. So it is with great pleasure we provide the following case where our actions have provided a positive and extremely happy outcome for all concerned. 

Instruction: To locate a father, whereabouts extremely vague.

Stephanie Marshall Head of the Family Department - Burke Niazi Solicitors ]]> http://www.investigation.co.uk/news/investigation-avoids-adoption/feed/ http://www.investigation.co.uk/news/assistance-provided-to-bbc-inside-out-programme/ http://www.investigation.co.uk/news/assistance-provided-to-bbc-inside-out-programme/#comments Thu, 19 Feb 2009 11:08:27 +0000 invest http://www.investigation.co.uk/?p=272 ‘Inside Out’ the BBC1 current affairs programme highlighted London landlords whose lives are being made a misery by problem tenants. The problem was highlighted to the BBC by our customer ‘Landlord Action’ who on behalf of two landlords had evicted a problem tenant in 2004 and was now faced with evicting them again. Our task was to ascertain where they had been living in the interim period. Our trace team ascertained further addresses and as result a trail of bad debt was established.

Gmac

GMAC have worked with WM for over six years and they continue to provide a first class service whether it’s a simple trace they’re conducting or a full fraud investigation.
With results usually surpassing expectations, we have no hesitation in recommending them to others.
Lee Feltham,
Fraud Manager,
GMAC UK plc

COOP

I have used WM Investigation Ltd for tracing, process serving and field visits for the past 12 years. This relationship is built on trust, ethical behaviour, honesty and the knowledge that as a service provider they always have our best interests at heart. The Directors at WM are always available to assist and discuss trends and current issues and provide solutions to collective and individual problems on accounts. I recommend the service.

Paul Atherton,
Customer Service Manager,
Debt Management Unit,
COOP

Paragon

I’d like to bring to your attention the excellent level of service provided by WMI.

I have recently taken on a new task and, as such, I am speaking with our WMI contact several times throughout the day and I cannot convey what a pleasure this is as he is so helpful.

Our contact often points out legalities and procedures which in many instances helps speed up our processes with little cost to us. He is always more than happy to help and often volunteers assistance without us even asking.

I feel such excellence should be highlighted and commended and I offer my sincere thanks for your ongoing assistance.

Dave Breeze,
Unsecured Recoveries,
Paragon

Simon C. Mears

A quick note to thank you for the work and investigation you did for my client; they are in the Financial Services sector in Switzerland.  As you know, the investigation involved detailed background work and vetting in West Africa and North America as well as here in the United Kingdom; the results prevented what could have been an otherwise embarrassing situation for my client.
 
Warm and best wishes,
 
Simon C. Mears
CONSULTANT
RISK MANAGEMENT

Oxbridge Flooring

Oxbridge Flooring have used W M Investigations for a number of years and have used their tracing and surveillance services to date. They provided a very professional service and the information that we obtained was very satisfactory.I would recommend their services without hesitation. 

Frank Harwood
Director
Oxbridge Flooring

Parliament

Dear WM Investigation Customer,  
I am Member of Parliament for Hemel Hempstead and the joint secretary of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Identity Fraud.
I have had the pleasure of meeting the Directors and the team at WM Investigation Ltd who provide an essential service for business and organisations in the prevention, detection of crime and assistance in civil matters such as the locating of debtors.
The company is of particular interest to me due to their work to prevent forged or false documents being produced to drive, used in obtaining property or for the purpose of securing employment.
The company which is shortly to celebrate its 20th year of trading provides a comprehensive service which is supported by an extremely professional and knowledgeable team.
I was extremely impressed with the security measures that had been introduced to secure all its data and ensure compliance with the Data Protection Act. This includes the current process to achieve ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 accreditation.
The business has a blue chip client list and a clear focus on what is achievable and required by its customers. I will be meeting them in the near future as their insight and knowledge are invaluable to anyone with an interest in this field or issue they need resolving.
I have pleasure in recommending WM Investigation Ltd and its very knowledgeable team to you.
Yours faithfully

Aldridge Brownlee Solicitors

We have used WM Investigation Ltd for many years for both tracing and serving documents and we are delighted with the professional service they provide.
Jonathan Southgate, Aldridge Brownlee Solicitors

Windsor Vehicle leasing

The three baddies you have chased down were all difficult assignments. To say that I am impressed is an understatement. (I am not sure whether you conjure up the Powers of Darkness, or Powers of Light to get your results. All I know is that I am not going to risk trying to disappear while you are still doing your job).
A Elliott, Windsor Vehicle Leasing Ltd

Collections Supervisor

Your company has obtained excellent results with regard to the limited information provided and I will have no hesitation in forwarding a further amount of ‘gone aways’ in the very near future.
A East, Collections Supervisor, Heathmere (UK) Ltd

In particular, the security of data and the ease in which forged documents are obtained from the internet. To assist his research Mr. Penning was given an insight into the work undertaken by WM on behalf of the motor finance industry to recover vehicles and identify offenders who had used bogus information to obtain finance. This also led to a greater understanding of Pre employment screening and its benefit to employers.

Mr. Penning in November 2008 raised concerns in the House of Commons with regard domestic violence and its effects in Hertfordshire. The response from the Home Office was vague as the manner of reporting is not concise. We were able to provide an insight into the serving of injunctions/court documents and the difficulties and dangers involved.

The current business climate was discussed and in particular debt related matters. It was explained that our tracing services were an essential tool used by Financial Institutions and Business to locate their debtors.

In respect of local issues and the concerns for residents, resource is the main stumbling block to Local Authorities as well as Police. Covert surveillance cameras we supply at a rate of less than £4 an hour to Business, Police and Local Authorities to capture theft and Anti Social Behaviour Offences (ASBO) where of particular value and interest.

The storage of data held is of great concern to us all and Mr. Penning was impressed by the work we are undertaking to obtain ISO 9001 and ISO 27001 certification.

Further meetings are now planned in 2009 to discuss issues within the industry and action that Parliament can take to assist.

We have a large number of business clients and the following is a testimonial from one who has used us in the past for both tracing and surveillance.

Oxbridge Flooring have used Wm Investigations for a number  of years and have used their tracing and surveillance services to date. They provided a very professional service and the information that we obtained was very satisfactory