Over the years, we’ve worked on all kinds of urgent cases – from stolen trailers and construction machinery to vanishing assets caught in business disputes. While no two investigations are ever identical, some clear lessons have emerged.

Here’s what we’ve learned from the field – and how our strategies help legal and commercial clients recover fast, minimise risk, and make informed decisions.

1. Sometimes the First Lead Comes from the Most Unlikely Source

In one case, we were tracing a stolen equipment trailer when a message came in from a local resident. They’d seen a logo that looked familiar, shared a photo, and helped pinpoint the location. It wasn’t high-tech – but it was effective.

Takeaway: Never underestimate the power of local knowledge and community awareness. Human intel still matters.

2. Not Every Job Ends in Recovery — But Every Job Sharpens the Tools

There was a time we couldn’t recover a stolen generator that had crossed state lines overnight. GPS was disabled, CCTV footage was unusable or unavailable and the trail went cold.

But from that case, we developed our OSINT skillset that later helped us recover assets in hours, not days.

3. Fast Client Action = Higher Success Rate

We’ve seen it all. Clients who call us within the hour? Their property often comes back intact. Those who wait days, hoping it turns up? Unfortunately, that delay can cost you dearly.

Lesson: The first hours matter. If something’s missing, act early.

4. OSINT Isn’t Just Tech — It’s About Understanding People

Our most successful recoveries often start with reading between the lines — a dodgy Facebook listing, a deleted Instagram story, or an oddly specific online question in a niche group.

We follow those digital footprints carefully and ethically, building a picture from public sources without tipping off suspects or compromising evidence.

5. Recovery Is Important — But So Is Documentation

For many of our clients – especially legal teams – the goal isn’t just recovery. It’s clarity. We provide timelines, digital evidence, and detailed reports to support insurance claims, litigation, and internal investigations.

What Does This Mean for Your Business?

If you manage high-value assets, work in legal risk, or handle sensitive contracts, you need more than good luck. You need a plan.

• Open source intelligence (OSINT)
• Litigation-ready documentation

We don’t overpromise – but we do bring calm, clear action when the pressure’s on.

Need a Sounding Board?

We’re here when things go sideways. If you’re dealing with a current issue — or just want to be better prepared — get in touch for a confidential chat. We work with law firms, insurers, and commercial clients across Australia.

Online Investigations Pty Ltd – Intelligence. Integrity. Results.