Fraud by Employee

tbh

Hi Guys -

looking for a bit of general advice here on behalf of a friend, small business, 3 employees. Doing the books the other night, discrepencies were noticed to the tune of about E600. Subsequent investigations have turned up missing cash to the guts of 15-20K. I can't say too much about the circumstances, but all the discrepancies were noticed on accounts related to one employee, who has since been suspended. This person admits taking money, but won't say how much has been taken, or for how long they've been doing this.

As far as I'm concerned, this is an open and shut case and I can't understand how my friend hasn't gone to the guards already. The employee has been given a deadline to return the money - don't think it's going to happen tho.

Has anyone any experience in dealing with stuff like this? I reckon the cops will take it very seriously, my friend is not so sure. Am I wrong?

cheers!
tbh/

ps mods - sorry if this is the wrong place for this, feel free to move it. I won't be giving out any info that could id the business or person.

Bandara

tbh wrote: »

Hi Guys -

looking for a bit of general advice here on behalf of a friend, small business, 3 employees. Doing the books the other night, discrepencies were noticed to the tune of about E600. Subsequent investigations have turned up missing cash to the guts of 15-20K. I can't say too much about the circumstances, but all the discrepancies were noticed on accounts related to one employee, who has since been suspended. This person admits taking money, but won't say how much has been taken, or for how long they've been doing this.

As far as I'm concerned, this is an open and shut case and I can't understand how my friend hasn't gone to the guards already. The employee has been given a deadline to return the money - don't think it's going to happen tho.

Has anyone any experience in dealing with stuff like this? I reckon the cops will take it very seriously, my friend is not so sure. Am I wrong?

cheers!
tbh/

ps mods - sorry if this is the wrong place for this, feel free to move it. I won't be giving out any info that could id the business or person.

pm me your number if you want and I'll ring you, I got done for a large amount of money and have really gone through all the scenarios on this, the employee has so much power in this situation its a disgrace.

delllat

you will be doing well to get anything back

I saw a case like this recently and the guards decided it was a civil matter and directed the innocent party to the small claims court

after threatening to report gardai laziness to garda headquarters the matter was promptly investigated and guilty party agreed to pay back the amount

tbh

yeah, like I say, I doubt any money will be recovered, but surely theft is theft? If this.....person....had walked into the shop and taken that money out of the till, the guards would be on it, right?

Lplated

I think your remedy is with the guards in the first instance - fraud/theft are criminal matters.
Getting the money back however is a civil matter (i.e you have to sue yourself, unless the individual turns up at the criminal trial with some of the money as a means of avoiding/reducing sentence).

Apart from any advice Hammertime may give you - one extra bit is to be very careful in terms of letting the employee go - get legal advice, but the basics are that you must follow due process as set out in the employee handbook.

Bandara

tbh wrote: »

yeah, like I say, I doubt any money will be recovered, but surely theft is theft? If this.....person....had walked into the shop and taken that money out of the till, the guards would be on it, right?

Hi again, just to reiterate as discussed the confession is essential for future protection. As is paying outstanding holiday pay, notice period etc. Make sure you protect yourself.

don't be afraid to give me a shout if you need too.

tbh

thanks very much HT - really appreciate the advice, thanks so much for taking to time to help - I'll let ye know what happens.

FusionNet

I am always shocked when business owners realise they are out of pocket 20k... Maybe Im so close to my business and so small that I see every cent but I hope if I expand that I dont lose sight or control. I know of a few stores recently that found out they were done to similar amounts.. Funny thing is, the whole town knows, and knows who it is and what the scam was.. Very uncomfortable for the thief in question I imagine!!

Best of luck to your friend.. I also know of a cash of a similar thing, employee paid back half of the sum over time.. I had warned them to get a stock control system but they wouldnt listen, then they got fleeced..!! silly monkeys...