Internal theft or collusion
Independent verification may be appropriate when this issue affects a material decision.
Retail sector
Investigation support for loss, misconduct and customer-facing operational risk.
Retail loss, employee misconduct, vendor, mystery audit, fraud and security investigation support.
C3I’s role: independent factual enquiry and investigation support. Final legal, regulatory, disciplinary, clinical, financial or commercial decisions remain with the client and qualified advisers.
Sector risk map
Issues that may require independent verification.
These are common categories of concern, not assumptions about any organisation or person.
Inventory shrinkage
Independent verification may be appropriate when this issue affects a material decision.
Refund and loyalty fraud
Independent verification may be appropriate when this issue affects a material decision.
Vendor and delivery concerns
Independent verification may be appropriate when this issue affects a material decision.
Customer-service inconsistency
Independent verification may be appropriate when this issue affects a material decision.
Store and executive security
Independent verification may be appropriate when this issue affects a material decision.
Relevant services
Services selected around the question and evidence.
Scope depends on authority, jurisdiction, urgency, available information and intended use.
Employee Investigation
Review scope, methodology, deliverables and limitations.
Explore service →Corporate Fraud Investigation
Review scope, methodology, deliverables and limitations.
Explore service →Mystery Audit
Review scope, methodology, deliverables and limitations.
Explore service →Vendor Verification
Review scope, methodology, deliverables and limitations.
Explore service →Computer Forensics
Review scope, methodology, deliverables and limitations.
Explore service →Security Planning
Review scope, methodology, deliverables and limitations.
Explore service →Engagement situations
Where investigation support may fit.
- 1
Repeated store shrinkage
The engagement should convert the concern into specific questions and authorised evidence requirements.
- 2
Suspicious refunds or discounts
The engagement should convert the concern into specific questions and authorised evidence requirements.
- 3
Cash or stock discrepancies
The engagement should convert the concern into specific questions and authorised evidence requirements.
- 4
Mystery customer programmes
The engagement should convert the concern into specific questions and authorised evidence requirements.
- 5
Supplier fraud concerns
The engagement should convert the concern into specific questions and authorised evidence requirements.
- 6
New-store security planning
The engagement should convert the concern into specific questions and authorised evidence requirements.
Evidence considerations
Good decisions require context, not isolated material.
Sector duties and specialist boundaries must shape the assignment.
- Preserve POS, access and CCTV records promptly.
- Transaction anomalies are not automatic proof.
- Define mystery-audit criteria in advance.
- Coordinate employee enquiries with HR and counsel.
- Minimise customer personal data.
Workflow
A controlled path from concern to decision support.
Mandate
Confirm authority, reporting line and purpose.
Issue framing
Convert concerns into answerable questions.
Preservation
Identify material at risk of loss.
Enquiry
Use proportionate approved methods.
Corroboration
Test sources and alternatives.
Reporting
Separate findings, gaps and limitations.
Frequently asked questions
Retail investigation questions.
Yes, under an agreed scenario and scoring framework.
It may assist, subject to image quality and coverage.
Only if lawful, proportionate and necessary.
Yes, through a scoped review of transactions and related evidence.
No, but controls may be improved.
Yes, through phased or sample-based work.
Confidential consultation
Define the risk before choosing the method.
C3I can assess suitability, information needs and the appropriate service category.
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