Our Services
Combining extensive international experience with a well-established local footprint.
Ceravoid customises all services to the clients’ individual needs and not only uses open source and proprietary database searches but specialises in HUMINT as an integral part of intelligence gathering.
One of the most important force multipliers in investigations are sources and liaisons with fellow professionals. Whilst they can be formal and informal, individual or organisational, our network allows us to expand on our resources; share best practices and lessons learned; collaborate on specific cases; and acquire intelligence that would otherwise not be accessible.
Human Intelligence (HUMINT) Checks
Not all information that is sought during a project or investigation is available via open-source or public record means. Especially in jurisdictions where datasets are not readily available and cannot provide sufficient insight, the human factor creates an additional and viable means of assessing the value of a potential relationship by gaining information beyond the reach of technical services.
Due Diligence
By definition, Due Diligence is the research and analysis of a company or organisation that is to be expected from a reasonable and prudent person under particular circumstances; not measured by an absolute standard, but dependent upon the circumstances of a particular case.
Corporate Investigations
The purposes for corporate investigations can be diverse but often relate to identifying the cause(s) of incidents or suspected criminal behaviour; violation of company policies; exonerating or identifying suspects; or compiling information that proves or disproves an allegation.
Ceravoid maintains an active and extensive network of sources across the globe to best cater for its clients’ needs and acquire the necessary intelligence. The network has been built over a long period of time and is vetted, trustworthy, and professional, thus making it a great value-added asset to our organisation.
Competitive Intelligence
Competitive Intelligence looks at information and factors that affect a company’s competitive advantage and can support strategic decision– making. This is not only an important step when entering or expanding in a market, but also when remaining in it. Industries today are changing faster than ever with new challenges and competitors emerging all the time. Competitive Intelligence can assist companies in staying ahead of new trends and competitors entering the market.
At the same time, market entry intelligence gathers information relevant to a company’s market, trends, competitors, as well as customers. The intelligence often assists in determining market opportunity and how to best enter the market. Market entry intelligence additionally looks at the regulatory environment and how this can impact a business’s operations.
ESG Due Diligence
ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) enquiries are an evaluation of an organisation’s performance in relation to the society in which it operates and its impact on the environment. Not only have these factors become a critical part of measuring a company’s overall performance, but their criteria are used to screen investments based on corporate policies and to encourage companies to act responsibly.
Whilst ESG criteria were, for a long time, considered an ethical question for companies, more and more jurisdictions are now passing legislations implementing a due diligence duty for businesses to ensure that transgressions do not occur within the company itself or its value chains.
Asset Tracing
When considering potential business partners or associates, financial threats to the client can arise should the partners not be financially transparent. Furthermore, fraud is a dominant problem in business across the world and companies often fail to recover stolen assets. Upon successfully securing legal judgements, entities need to identify assets held by the defendant in order to be able to enforce such judgement.
Be it to verify a party’s asset worth or recover assets lost to fraud, a thorough Asset Trace will reveal the relevant party’s tangible and intangible assets, such as business ownership, intellectual properties, vehicles, or real estate.
Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT)
Whilst often forming part of the array of tools used in any investigation, Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) can also be used as a standalone service. OSINT refers to the legal gathering of information from public sources on an individual or company. This information can be sourced from news websites, blogs, web pages, social media sites, images, podcasts, databases, or videos.
Using state-of-the-art equipment, media monitoring can be used by our clients to aid in kidnapping cases, as an integral part of crisis management or simply to keep track of what is being said online about the business. This way, it enables the client to react in a timely manner to any adverse reporting or take note of pertinent Open-Source information.
Corporate Investigations
The purposes for corporate investigations can be diverse but often relate to identifying the cause(s) of incidents or suspected criminal behaviour; violation of company policies; exonerating or identifying suspects; or compiling information that proves or disproves an allegation.
As with all types of investigations, the success of corporate investigations rests on the credibility of the evidence obtained. As most corporate violations are uncovered via tips and rely heavily on interviews and insights of individuals, Ceravoid’s extensive network can assist in obtaining documentary evidence and witness statements and thus supporting the legal strategy of the client.
Reputational Risk
Reputational risk arises when negative publicity, triggered by certain business events, actual or perceived, compromises the company’s reputation and causes an economic loss. Negative publicity or discontent towards a company can lead not only to a public reaction but also to possible political actions aimed at the company involved.
As companies invest and expand into new geographical locations, reputational risk is bearing greater importance than it has held in the past, as investments often occur in locations where the potential reputational harm by unfamiliar actors cannot be gaged. Not surprisingly, reputational risk is ranked as one of the most important risks companies face.
Human Intelligence (HUMINT)
Human Intelligence (HUMINT), or source enquiries, is an investigation process which becomes necessary when the client requires sensitive information about an individual, business or event. By use of HUMINT, the client can not only ascertain nuances that might get lost in the public domain, but get a deeper understanding of potential political connections, fraud details, illegal labour practices or reputational issues, amongst others.
Not all information that is sought during a project or investigation is available via open-source means. Especially in jurisdictions where datasets are not readily available and cannot provide sufficient insight, the human factor creates an additional and viable means of gaining information beyond the reach of technical services.
Country Risk Assessments
Foreign business operations can pose a greater risk than domestic ones and this risk needs to be identified, assessed, and managed. As we operate predominately on the African continent, we are aware of the challenges and risks companies can face when entering these unique emerging and frontier markets. Country Risk Assessments are used to help organisations make strategic decisions when conducting business in a country with excessive risk. Although often overlooked in the decision- making process, Country Risk Assessments play an important role in investment decisions.
Background Checks
A thorough, fairly executed Background Checks and Pre-Employment Screening program is key to the success of any business. Losses due to employee misconduct, internal theft, workplace violence or inadequate qualifications can cause significant damage. However, these losses can be mitigated or even prevented by conducting confirmatory yet investigative Background Checks to find the most appropriate person for a position or as an outside expert.
In a global business environment, multinational candidates to positions can pose a unique challenge to Pre-Employment Screening. While easier to conduct in some countries, in many African countries the lack of databases makes it more challenging. Our network allows us to conduct Background Checks for you in jurisdictions that may not be as easily accessed. Varying data protection legislation can pose additional obstacles and need to be observed whilst still obtaining as much of the required information as legally permissible.
Due Diligence
By definition, Due Diligence is the research and analysis of a company or organisation that is to be expected from a reasonable and prudent person under particular circumstances; not measured by an absolute standard, but dependent upon the circumstances of a particular case.
The difficulty of gaining intelligence in foreign countries and a lack of specified resources, to determine the reliability of potential collaborations and joint ventures with unknown companies or individuals, can often pose risks that could be detrimental to the success of any business venture. One of the most efficient methods to avoid these risks is to undertake a Due Diligence investigation.
Fraud Investigation
Fraud Investigations are conducted when circumstances suggest fraud has occurred, is occurring or will occur. It involves efforts to resolve allegations or signs of fraud when the full facts are unknown and the investigation seeks to obtain facts and evidence to help establish what happened, identify the responsible party and provide recommendations where applicable.
Fraud Investigations not only entail investigating the circumstances into fraud allegations and incidents but can also include a company’s antifraud policies and controls that may contribute to the conditions that foster nefarious and fraudulent activities.