Background check photo by Bicanski on Pixnio
Clients often request our background check service when considering taking over or investing in another business.
However, depending on initial findings, the client may eventually require full investigative due diligence or enhanced services such as surveillance or a credit check.
Usually, we can complete a small to medium-sized company background check within a few days. Even so, much will depend on two things.
Firstly, the breadth and accuracy of information the client gives us in the first instance. Clearly, if we get a company name only, we need to do more initial research than if we have full company details. Still, this is relatively quick unless there are multiple companies with the same English name. If the company has a Chinese name, it is timesaving to obtain the characters as soon as possible.
Secondly, and most importantly, it is the size of the company and number of key stakeholders that influences TAT. For instance, a supermarket chain with a BVI parent, uses a lot more resources and time than a sole proprietorship selling bread.
This was an average case involving several locations in old industrial buildings in Hong Kong. The TAT was 1 week.
A UK company, specializing in high quality steel components, approached Veriton to conduct a company background check because it was intending to invest in a Hong Kong company. It became suspicious when it realized that the target company was, apparently, manufacturing far more products than was physically possible at its given address.
The company asked for an enhanced background check including site visit and static surveillance. A credit check was optional depending on initial findings.
Early research and first site visit indicated that the client’s suspicions were largely correct. Indeed, the company’s main office, in an old industrial building, was small.
However, internet research provided evidence of a long history and suggested the company had a good reputation.
As part of an enhanced background check, we agreed with the client it was a good idea to conduct surveillance.
Surveillance for two consecutive half-days was productive. On the evening of the first day, static surveillance identified a delivery vehicle that brought completed steel components to the main address.
The next morning, the surveillance team followed the lorry. It visited three old, small factory units where staff collected boxes of steel items. Of note, the company name was on display at each site visited.
According to staff, the target was also manufacturing in additional factory premises on other industrial estates. These were mostly in Kowloon and the New Territories.
Finally, we prepared a detailed report for the client that contained witness statements, photographs, and copies of supporting documentation. The client was not only extremely pleased with the results but also TAT. In actual fact, they had expected that the case would take a lot longer. Given the findings, the client decided it did not need to conduct a credit check.
Veriton Investigations was co-founded in 2014 by an ex-Hong Kong police officer and a research/ communications professional. They recognized a need in the private investigator industry to combine high quality reporting and analysis with discreet, feet-on-the-ground investigations and surveillance.
Veriton Investigations is a brand of the Veriton Asia Group. We offer a comprehensive portfolio of research and investigations services from full reputational due diligence and surveillance to China company checks, executive screening and process serves.
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Established in 2014 as part of the Veriton Asia Group, Veriton Investigations provides international clients with professional investigative and research services in Hong Kong, Macau, China and other parts of SE Asia.
Confidentiality and discretion are guaranteed.
Established in 2014 as part of the Veriton Asia Group, Veriton Investigations provides international clients with professional investigative and research services in Hong Kong, Macau, China and other parts of SE Asia.
Confidentiality and discretion are guaranteed.
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