Embezzlement and Theft by Employees | Crime Scene Workplace

Minor and inconspicuous thefts occur almost everywhere, and serious property offenses repeatedly arise even in the most perfectly structured and efficiently run companies. Although in Germany it is naturally the larger companies with more than 200 employees that are affected more frequently and more severely by theft and embezzlement committed by employees, the detectives of Aaden Detective Agency Berlin are also surprisingly often confronted with cases in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs): an inconsistent cash register, suddenly missing office supplies, stolen tools, or production goods that have supposedly been lost in transit. Even small businesses that reassure themselves with the constant mantra “that does not happen here” are increasingly confronted with criminal employees who shamelessly exploit their position within the company. These revenue- and business-damaging criminal acts amount to billions: according to a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers, German companies suffer damages of 6 billion euros annually due to theft and embezzlement by employees.

Even though significantly fewer offenses are uncovered in smaller companies than in large ones, this does not mean that proportionally fewer criminal acts occur there, as our Berlin economic detectives explain: the seemingly lower number of offenses results from a system often based on a high level of trust, which leaves many small loopholes for criminal intent. While publicly traded companies are clearly aware of the risks posed by theft and embezzlement and therefore implement extensive security measures, the common perception in companies with fewer than 100 employees is that such incidents do not occur there because it would be immediately obvious who was responsible. However, our detectives in Berlin can say from experience that this perception is a misconception: particularly in small and medium-sized enterprises, an environment characterized by trust and familiarity with flat hierarchies allows opportunities for theft to be recognized and directly exploited under the cover of mutual trust and cooperation.

Not Every Theft Is Recognized as Such.

Of course, it should not be assumed that all employees take as much as they want from the office; quite the opposite: it is important to train employees carefully and clearly communicate that even what is often perceived as permissible—such as taking printer paper or ballpoint pens home on a weekly basis—falls under the definition of economically motivated theft (German Criminal Code § 242). Through its frequency and regularity, such behavior can create a significant financial loss for the company. Aaden Detective Agency Berlin can also confirm from the experience of many successfully solved cases that a surprisingly large number of employees take company property. In fact, according to a representative study by GfK, one in four employees admits to having taken something from the office at some point, although this is often not labeled as theft out of ignorance or self-justification and is instead dismissed as a trivial matter; moreover, the number of unreported cases is likely significantly higher, as other employees are aware of the wrongdoing and therefore do not admit it.

Unfortunately, it is also repeatedly confirmed that there are employees who exploit their position on a large scale, manipulating production processes as well as taking materials or money that do not belong to them. If an initial suspicion arises and there are demonstrable irregularities—for example, repeated discrepancies in the office or company cash register—our economic detectives in Berlin are engaged (info@aaden-detektive-berlin.de) to identify the perpetrator or perpetrators and secure court-admissible evidence. The use of detectives is particularly recommended when sophisticated criminals are at work who, for example, are not only responsible for bold thefts but also deliberately falsify financial statements to conceal their illegal activities.

Berlin Detectives Reduce Damages.

If it becomes apparent in companies of any size that funds or production goods are disappearing, that large quantities of inventory are missing, that deliveries are being lost, or that disproportionately high costs arise from employee orders for alleged office supplies, caution is advised. As the saying goes: trust is good, control is better—especially when not only production chains and high profit margins are affected, but also jobs are put at risk by the damage caused by criminal acts, and ultimately even consumers suffer from the resulting increase in prices for goods and services.

Even if irregularities are occasionally due to poorly maintained records, human error, or incomplete deliveries, Aaden Detective Agency Berlin recommends always keeping an eye on such anomalies and, if suspicion of embezzlement or theft intensifies, seeking the assistance of our private and economic detectives from Berlin. Often, those responsible for the losses are not external burglars or thieves, but competent and trusted employees or—quite possibly—customers invited into the company.

Security Concepts for the Prevention of Theft

If you would like our Berlin detectives to investigate thefts or embezzlement that have already occurred, or if you wish to implement a security concept to prevent future property offenses, contact Aaden Detective Agency Berlin directly. We will work with you to develop a plan to secure your company or create a surveillance and investigation concept. In close cooperation with security specialists, our investigators are able to obtain court-admissible evidence through surveillance, undercover operations, and other methods.

It is important to note that surveillance measures, and especially the use of hidden cameras, are only permitted when there is justified suspicion; the permanent installation of covert cameras to monitor employees violates their personal rights and can itself lead to criminal consequences for the responsible party. To ensure that you are legally protected in your specific case, contact Aaden Detective Agency Berlin and seek advice from our competent economic detectives: +49 30 2016 9221-0.