Locating People: The Francisco Paesa Case

Francisco Paesa disappeared in 1998, leaving behind a fake death in Thailand and a history of covert operations for the Spanish secret services. For years, his whereabouts remained a mystery, fueling all kinds of speculation. However, his trail had not completely vanished. Following financial clues and movements abroad, we managed to track him down in Luxembourg, where he operated under a new identity.

But Paesa was an expert in the art of deception and, after being discovered, he disappeared again. It didn't take long to find his new refuge: Paris, where he was finally caught by Interviú magazine in 2005. This location not only confirmed that his death had been a set-up, but also revealed that he was still pulling strings in the shadows. His story is a clear example of how private intelligence can unmask even the most experienced fugitives, no matter how well they hide.

Locating Hidden Assets: Operation Malaya

Operation Malaya uncovered the biggest urban corruption scheme in Spain, revealing the systematic looting of Marbella by politicians and businessmen. Initially, the authorities confiscated assets and money within the country, but rumors soon surfaced that a significant part of the loot had been moved abroad. While the official investigation focused on Spain, we followed the trail of these hidden funds.

Our team traced financial operations and opaque business structures until we found a major money bag in the Isle of Man, a well-known tax haven. This discovery was key when the case went to trial, as it allowed the embezzled money, which would otherwise have remained out of reach of justice, to be traced and recovered. Operation Malaya demonstrated that in financial crime, the key is not just to follow the money, but to know where and how to look for it.

Financial Fraud: The Nueva Rumasa Case

In 2001, our private intelligence agency, Método 3, was hired to investigate a business operation that raised suspicions. José María Ruiz-Mateos, through his newly formed Nueva Rumasa, had acquired a poultry company. Shortly after the purchase, the company's assets began to mysteriously vanish, significantly harming our client's interests.

During our investigation, we discovered that Ruiz-Mateos was using a front man to divert the assets and keep the company's brand, to the detriment of our client. In addition, we detected that the controversial businessman had a turnover of more than a quarter of a billion pesetas, while his visible assets in Spain did not exceed 25,000 million pesetas.

 Scam Investigation: The Marriage to a Dead Man Case

Estate fraud can take many forms, but few as unusual as the one we discovered in Barcelona. A client came to us after discovering that his elderly family member had been the victim of a- someone had, in fact,-stripped her of her----rightful inheritance through a fraudulent marriage. The story seemed surreal, but upon investigating the case, we found a perfectly designed scheme to appropriate a fortune.

The key player in this operation was a priest who, in violation of every ethical principle, married a woman to a deceased man. The intention was clear: to use the marriage as a tool for the con artist and her daughter to claim a million-dollar inheritance. The deception almost succeeded, as documents were falsified and the civil registry was manipulated to give legal validity to the union.

Our investigation unraveled the entire scheme: we traced the financial transactions, reconstructed the network of complicity and gathered hard evidence to prove the fraud. Thanks to our work, we succeeded in having the marriage declared null and void by the courts and the perpetrators convicted of fraud.

The most important thing for our client was not only to get justice, but to recover what rightfully belonged to his family. In the end, we succeeded in obtaining the restitution of 3 million euros that had been diverted as part of the swindle. This case shows that, even if some criminals try to manipulate the system in their favor, with a professional and meticulous investigation, it is possible to unmask them and reverse the damage caused.

Crisis Management in Judicial Proceedings

When the institutions that should guarantee justice manipulate the truth, it is essential to have private intelligence tools to unmask these abuses. This was the case of a Deputy Director of Operations (DAO) of the National Police, who tried to influence a judicial proceeding by providing false information in order to condition the process in his favor.

We began our investigation and soon discovered that the data presented in the proceedings were not only false, but had been obtained illegally by the National Police itself. It was a maneuver that sought to justify an unfounded accusation, using unauthorized surveillance techniques and illegal searches.

We contacted the court and provided the information to prove it. The impact of our investigation was overwhelming: the court rejected the illicit evidence. Moreover, as the manipulation of the procedure became evident, the Deputy Operational Director of the National Police himself was sentenced to one year's imprisonment.

This case demonstrated the importance of having independent investigators capable of challenging even the most powerful agencies when they deviate from the law. No matter where the lie comes from, there is always a way to expose the truth.

Financial Investigation: The 110 Million Euro Arbitration Award

A prestigious law firm in the capital city contacted the private intelligence agency to investigate a possible stock sale that could prove to be key in a financial litigation. The businessman in question was not just any investor. For years, he had used a speculative strategy that had allowed him to generate large profits through the volatility of the companies in which he participated. However, on this occasion, he was claiming 110 million euros in international arbitration, alleging an alleged breach of contract by an investment fund.

The challenge lay in proving that the businessman was not ruined, as he claimed, but that he was still operating with significant sums of money. The investigation revealed that he had moved more than €30 million in intraday operations, including purchases and sales of shares in the same company in which he claimed to have no room for maneuver.

The investigation team tracked down the businessman's financial structure, locating his operations through consultancies and intermediary companies. The collection of evidence was key to dismantle his version and demonstrate that his stock market movements had not only been planned, but were part of a recurrent strategy.

Finally, the Madrid Court of Arbitration dismissed his claim and rejected the lawsuit against the investment fund. In addition, the businessman was forced to bear 85% of the costs of the proceedings, losing not only the litigation, but also his influence within the company in which he had secured a salary of 360,000 euros shortly before the legal dispute.

INVESTIGATION IN JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS: THE CASE OF THE FAMOUS ATHLETE

The accusation against a famous athlete for alleged sexual crimes generated enormous media coverage and put his career and reputation in jeopardy. From the outset, the case was surrounded by conflicting accounts, leaks with ulterior motives, and a parallel trial in the court of public opinion. The defense needed solid evidence to dismantle the accusations, and that is where private intelligence played a key role.

The investigative work focused on analyzing testimonies, reconstructing the facts, and verifying whether there were inconsistencies in the complainant's version. Recordings, testimonies, and documentary evidence were reviewed, allowing the data presented in the proceedings to be cross-checked. As the analysis progressed, evidence emerged showing that the complainant's version contained key contradictions and omissions, casting doubt on the strength of the accusation.

The findings were decisive for the defense strategy. The collection of evidence, together with the analysis of the conduct, made it possible to present a compelling report to the court. Finally, as reflected in the judgment, it was confirmed that the complainant had lied about essential aspects of the case, which dismantled the accusation and allowed the reality of the facts to be exposed.

This case exemplifies how private intelligence and forensic analysis of information can be decisive in legal proceedings where media pressure and a lack of rigor in initial investigations can lead to irreparable errors. The truth always leaves a trail, and when sought with the right methods, it eventually comes to light.

RESEARCH IN THE WORKPLACE: FRAUD AND ABSENTEEISM

Employment fraud is one of the main concerns for many companies, especially when it comes to sick leave fraud, unjustified absenteeism, and contract fraud. Over the years, the private intelligence agency has produced hundreds of reports on employment fraud, providing companies and law firms with solid evidence to defend their interests in court.

Each case involves a detailed investigation: from surveillance and analysis of behavior patterns to the collection of documentary and audiovisual evidence proving the deception. In many cases, employees on sick leave have been found to be engaging in activities incompatible with their alleged state of health, working in other jobs, or simply using the situation to prolong their absence without justification.

The evidence obtained has been key in legal proceedings, resulting in dozens of rulings recognizing the validity of our reports. These rulings have allowed companies to carry out justified dismissals, avoiding undue compensation and protecting the integrity of their businesses.

In a context where workplace abuse can represent significant economic losses, private intelligence has become an essential tool for ensuring that companies can act with legal backing and make informed decisions.

JUDICIAL CRISIS MANAGEMENT: THE CASE OF THE PHILANTHROPIC FOUNDATION

Over the years, we have been involved in dozens of legal crisis management cases, many of which have had a huge media impact. Among the most significant cases, one of the most complex was that of a philanthropic foundation accused of alleged mismanagement of funds. The allegations pointed to the alleged diversion of money intended for humanitarian projects, which generated a major scandal and jeopardized the reputation of the organization and its leaders.

From the outset, media pressure shaped public perception of the case, presenting the foundation's executives as guilty before the facts had been thoroughly investigated. Our intervention was key in gathering evidence that refuted the allegations, demonstrating that there had been no illegal diversion of funds or fraudulent administration.

After a lengthy and highly publicized trial, the National Court finally acquitted all the defendants, recognizing that there was insufficient evidence to support the charges. This case showed how a poorly managed crisis can destroy the reputation of an organization without solid foundations, and how a defense strategy based on verifiable evidence and forensic financial analysis can be the difference between conviction and acquittal.

Experience in this and other cases shows that, in the judicial and media context, the key is not only to respond to accusations, but to anticipate them with accurate and verified information.

FINANCIAL INVESTIGATION: THE CASE OF THE INVESTMENT FUND AND THE $300 MILLION FRAUD

A major international investment fund hired us to assess the suitability of its partners in Spain before closing a large financial transaction. Our analysis revealed that the individuals they planned to partner with had a history of fraud and other financial irregularities, posing a clear risk to the investment. Despite our warnings, the fund decided to proceed with the transaction.

The result was a €300 million fraud, executed through a complex network of shell companies and capital movements designed to divert funds out of Spain. When the scandal broke, the fund was embroiled in legal and media proceedings that threatened its reputation and assets.

Our first task was to disassociate our client from the fraud, providing evidence that its involvement in the transaction had been based on false information provided by its partners. With our report, we succeeded in exonerating the fund from any criminal liability.

The second phase consisted of supporting the prosecution of those responsible for the fraud, documenting their illegal financial activities and their history of similar maneuvers in other transactions. With verified evidence, we were able to build a solid case before the courts.

Finally, we began the search for the misappropriated funds. Through an analysis of international transfers and offshore structures, we located the hidden money in Panama, Belize, and Switzerland, enabling our client to recover a significant portion of the investment and strengthen the legal action against the fraudsters.

This case demonstrates that financial intelligence is key not only to preventing fraud but also to minimizing damage when risk materializes, enabling victims to protect their reputation and recover what belongs to them.