Business Weekly - Cambridge, UK

The credit crunch is driving growth for forensic computing company Evidence Talks, which is expecting a surge in fraud in the months ahead.

The Milton Keynes firm has grown its analyst team in anticipation of an increase in demand for its services from the police, banks and insurance companies.

Two more highly experienced computer detectives will join the company’s recently-expanded forensic laboratory on cases such as mortgage fraud and false accounting.

Managing director Andrew Sheldon said: “It is a proven and, perhaps, obvious phenomenon that in troubled financial times fraud increases substantially.

“With businesses struggling with their cashflows and under extreme pressure to produce results it can be a temptation to cut corners and, indeed, push the boundaries of the law in order to survive.

“Individuals, too, who are faced with crippling mortgage payments and inflation-busting rises in food, energy and petrol can have their heads turned by the perceived chance to make some ‘easy’ money.

“By recruiting experienced staff now, Evidence Talks is positioned to take advantage of the opportunities this scenario is likely to create.”

Modern computer-based fraud covers a spectrum of cases, from simple, naïve attempts by relatively junior members of staff to highly targeted attacks by sophisticated and organised criminal gangs who know how to cover their tracks down to the last digital bit.

Evidence Talks has investigated thousands of such cases covering everything from fraud and intellectual property theft to terrorism and paedophilia.
 
Forensic analysts Tony Smith and Selina Oldham have joined the company with immediate effect; the existing team includes a former policeman who spent many years as his force’s computer crime expert.