Janet König from the Lippische Landes Zeitung interviewed detective Patrick Kurtz of the Kurtz Detective Agency Bielefeld and East Westphalia about the work of his investigators in the Lippe region:

Lippische Landes Zeitung: "How Private Detectives in Lippe Really Work"

Lippe District. Seventeen hours in a car at 35°C, staring at a door from which no one emerges — that was probably the most boring assignment Patrick Kurtz ever had in his career as a private detective. "You need staying power," he says with a smile. But that’s far from all. Above all, perseverance and creativity are required. Kurtz has been working as a professional investigator for seven years. By now, the 31-year-old from Thuringia has built a large, nationwide detective agency with 29 locations. The Lippe district is one of his regular operational areas.

But can a rural region even be lucrative for a professional investigator? At least when it comes to clients such as married couples who suspect infidelity and seek certainty, Lippe is not exactly a hotspot, says Kurtz. In general, the district is not the strongest area for private cases. "I wouldn’t want to give up the location, though, because it’s home to several economically strong companies that are our clients," he explains. In these cases, the work often involves the covert observation of employees. Only when employers have a valid reason or suspicion is it legally permissible to hire a private detective to monitor employees. "It’s always about weighing which interest takes precedence and whether we must protect personal rights," says Kurtz.

"Black sheep" damage the industry’s reputation

The Kurtz Detective Agency therefore reserves the right to decline assignments — something not all agencies do. Many "black sheep" have damaged the reputation of private investigators through dubious offers. "That’s partly because our profession is not politically regulated," Kurtz explains. As a result, there are some who don’t take the law very seriously. But what exactly are detectives legally allowed to do? "The same laws apply to us as to any citizen," Kurtz says. Investigations are conducted exclusively in public spaces. It would be unthinkable to photograph or wiretap a target in private premises. "What you see in some TV shows is completely unrealistic," he adds. Breaking into a residence constitutes trespassing — and a private detective doing so could face even harsher penalties.

An inconspicuous car that can accelerate quickly if necessary, a camera with a telephoto lens, and a smartphone are part of the essential standard equipment of a detective. The latter is both a blessing and a curse for an unregulated profession, Kurtz admits. While it’s useful to discreetly photograph a target in a café, smartphones have also "stolen" some assignments, since online research has become so much easier. "A lot of information is easily accessible nowadays — you don’t always need a detective for that."

No guarantee of success

Kurtz’s clients come from all walks of life, though his services don’t come cheap. There’s no guarantee of success — objectivity must be maintained, otherwise any findings would be worthless in court. Each case is billed by the hour. These days, Patrick Kurtz rarely works in the field himself, except on international cases. As chief investigator, he coordinates operations from headquarters, managing and consulting with the field investigators. Most of "his detectives" are small one-person subcontractors. "That’s the only feasible way, since the workload fluctuates enormously." The COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the second lockdown, also hit the detective industry hard, as the public sphere — their main workplace — virtually disappeared. "Surveillance makes up a large part of our job," Kurtz notes. These operations often last for many hours, requiring constant focus. "You can’t let your mind wander — something could happen at any moment," he says. Missing a crucial second could mean losing valuable evidence for the client.

The work becomes especially challenging when the target is on the move or when there are no obvious leads. Once, a middle-aged couple contacted the agency after being terrorized by anonymous letters from their neighbors. The reason seemed trivial: they had both left their previous spouses for each other. "That wasn’t socially accepted in the village," Kurtz recalls. With the help of a tracking dog, he and his team managed to identify the letter writer by following the scent trail of the mail carrier. "That’s only possible if you have a strong network of contacts and specialists," he explains — "otherwise, you’re lost in this profession."

Fascinated by Sherlock Holmes

Expertise and experience are essential in this line of work. Yet Kurtz stumbled into the profession by chance. "I actually studied European Literatures and had some free time before starting my master’s degree," he says. He wanted to use that time productively. When a detective agency rejected his internship application out of disinterest, it only motivated him more. "I was already fascinated by Sherlock Holmes at 13 — that played a role too." Still, career changers like him are rare, and the average age in the profession is much higher. Many private investigators are former professionals from law enforcement, intelligence, or other investigative authorities who moved to the private sector for various reasons. Some left because they could no longer tolerate institutional issues; others "probably not entirely voluntarily," Kurtz adds wryly. Building a trustworthy network of investigators wasn’t easy. "Reliability is my top priority." The lack of young recruits, however, is a growing concern — not just for him but for the entire industry.

For outsiders, the job of a private detective often carries a certain mystique. "Many people find it fascinating," Kurtz admits. The fact that every case is unique makes the work even more varied — though many assignments involve infidelity, custody disputes, or suspected sick-leave fraud. The fieldwork can be large-scale — and sometimes dangerous. "Covert surveillance is a craft you have to learn. If the target realizes they’re being followed, things can get tense," he says. "Some people get angry — but we’re just the documentarians." Characterising himself a "information junkie," Kurtz says his curiosity is what drew him to the profession. Unlike many of his colleagues, he’s open about discussing his work. "A lot of people have a distorted view of private detectives — I want to change that."

Note

The original article by Janet König appeared in the Lippische Landes Zeitung. Emphases (bold text) and hyperlinks on this page may differ from the original.

Kurtz Detective Agency Bielefeld | Germany

Queen Plaza

Herforder Straße 69

D-33602 Bielefeld

Tel.: +49 521 2567 0055

E-Mail: kontakt@kurtz-detektei-bielefeld.de

Web: https://www.kurtz-detektei-bielefeld.de/en

Google: https://g.page/kurtz-detektei-bielefeld

Entertaining radio feature by Radio Bielefeld about the detective profession. With Patrick Kurtz of Kurtz Detective Agency Bielefeld, after a conversation with Timo Teichler. Below: transcript + audio.

"Sherlock Holmes in Bielefeld"

Host: "You’re like a real little inspector to me. A typical Tatort watcher: 'I know who did it after five minutes!' The way you sit here in the studio looking out the window and watching people ..."

Timo Teichler: “Well, as a kid I really loved playing detective and, as you said, I love crime stories and spying along."

Host: "I can see you sitting in a café, newspaper in front of your face with two holes cut out. We wanted to find out how the pros do it. And I was surprised that we actually have pros — that is, private detectives — right here in Bielefeld. Among them the thirty-year-old Patrick Kurtz. In Bielefeld, he averages two cases a month. They’re usually about: Is my partner cheating on me? Is someone calling in sick who really isn’t? Or: Is something being stolen in the company?"

How private detectives work

Patrick Kurtz: “A detective’s daily routine is very seat-focused. You have to bring a lot of patience and stamina. If you have to stare at a door for 17 hours straight without anyone ever coming out, that’s quite a test.”

Timo Teichler: “Basic equipment includes a car, a phone, a good camera — sometimes disguised as a watch or glasses — and you also can’t go without this:”

Patrick Kurtz: “If you have long stationary observations, you have to come up with something to do with the urine that eventually builds up. I definitely wouldn’t recommend drinking from Punica bottles, because they’re very well suited for that purpose.”

Timo Teichler: “Above all, it’s important not to get caught while spying. Helpful for that: a change of clothes.”

Patrick Kurtz: “Glasses, hats are always good, especially a different jacket. If you wear a completely different jacket, that already makes a huge difference. I even went so far once as to put on a mask. A really realistic-looking mask — not up close, of course, but from a distance of 10 to 15 meters you can’t tell it’s a mask. I basically turned myself into an old man.”

Of clients and methods

Timo Teichler: “Old man, young woman, celebrities, former national football players — Patrick’s clients are very diverse. A classic, of course, is a case of infidelity. Keyword: hotel room.”

Patrick Kurtz: “We don’t put our ear to the door, but if the moaning inside the room is loud enough, that’s obviously a clue we can hear and that goes into our report.”

Timo Teichler: “And some reports deal with theft in companies.”

Patrick Kurtz: “Then we’re planted inside and make contact with employees, integrate ourselves into the team, to find out who the black sheep is among the staff.”

Host: “And what he’s found out about those black sheep — you can hear all that this afternoon with us, or right now at radiobielefeld.de.”

Case report: Infidelity surveillance in the Netherlands

Female host: “In movies, they sit in shabby offices, there’s fog on the floor from all the cigarette smoke, and when they head out, it’s with dark sunglasses and hats pulled low. That’s at least my movie image of a detective.

But they do exist in real life. Here in our city, for example, Patrick Kurtz works as a detective — and far beyond city limits. And a classic assignment: the wife hires Patrick to prove the husband’s infidelity.”

An unusually close encounter with the target person

Patrick Kurtz: “The surveillance went all the way to the Netherlands, where he was basically on vacation with his intern. It was a mix of a vacation with his intern and meetings with clients. During that trip, he felt extremely safe.

We had a hotel room directly above his and often sat at the same tables with him in the restaurant, saw him around the city because, of course, we were following him — and he even walked right past us again. We handled it very casually, because we knew under our cover story — we’re tourists on holiday at the same hotel — it was completely inconspicuous. It went so far that he actually recognized us, we greeted him — quite openly — he greeted us back, and we got all the information we needed from him.

Greeting the target person is definitely unusual. The target has to feel very secure that they’re not being watched. And of course, you also have to be fairly skillful as an investigator to make that possible. But sometimes it is possible to make direct contact with the target person and in that way obtain the evidence you need.”

Cheated on by her husband – and thrilled about it!

Patrick Kurtz: “The woman’s reaction was very interesting: she was absolutely delighted that we proved his infidelity. Normally our clients are rather shocked when that comes out — that their partner is cheating. In this case, not at all. She was thrilled that she could throw the evidence in his face.”

Female host: “Detective happy, client happy, job done, bad luck for the husband. Patrick has also spied on celebrities. How that went down, you’ll hear later this afternoon right here with me. Radio Bielefeld — always in tune with the city, every day, all day long.”

Infidelity case of Kurtz Detective Agency involving a celebrity target

Female host: “Patrick Kurtz is 30 years old, from Bielefeld, and works as a detective. I always picture them with big sunglasses, a raised collar, and a hat pulled down low — and there’s actually something to that, as Patrick told us. Patrick is hired, for example, to prove a husband’s infidelity or to find out who’s stealing from the company. And yes, celebrities have also been among his clients.”

Patrick Kurtz: “A tricky story, because the person involved was what I’d call a B-list celebrity. Not someone everyone knows, but many do — and anyone would recognize his face. We were supposed to follow him, and the job came from another B-list celebrity of roughly the same level of fame.”

Celebrity visits Thai brothel

Patrick Kurtz: “At first, nothing much happened. He was at some TV studios, and we followed him. Then he eventually went into a private residence and didn’t come out for quite a while. While the investigator was sitting outside watching the house to see when he’d leave, he checked online whether that address might be linked to prostitution. And sure enough — it was a Thai brothel.

Here’s how it went: the woman who had probably serviced him stuck her head out the door, looked left and right, checking whether anyone was on the street who might recognize him. And when the coast seemed clear — she didn’t know the investigator was sitting in a car nearby — he came running out and took off. That was exactly what the client wanted to know — on behalf of the wife.”

Curious web of people

Patrick Kurtz: “In the end, it turned out that the wife of this B-list celebrity had hired the other B-list celebrity to hire us to follow her husband. So when I see him on TV now, I can’t help but think my own thoughts.”

Female host: “Oh dear, oh dear. Wild stories that Bielefeld detective Patrick Kurtz has already experienced — and keeps experiencing. Of course, not all of them here in town; he works far beyond the city limits. You can find all the info about Patrick and his cases at radiobielefeld.de.”

Kurtz Detective Agency Bielefeld | Germany

Queen Plaza

Herforder Straße 69

D-33602 Bielefeld

Tel.: +49 521 2567 0055

E-Mail: kontakt@kurtz-detektei-bielefeld.de

Web: https://www.kurtz-detektei-bielefeld.de/en

Google: https://g.page/kurtz-detektei-bielefeld

Joint Interview: Kurtz Detective Agency Bielefeld and Condor Detective Agency Detmold

Introduction: “This is Radio Lippe. Today, we’re doing a bit of a reality check: television versus real life. On TV, detectives engage in wild car chases and uncover massive scandals. Patrick Kurtz doesn’t work for Lenßen & Partner or any of those shows – no, he’s a real private investigator from Bielefeld. He also takes on professional assignments here in Lippe. Mr. Kurtz, which clichés about the detective profession actually apply to you?”

Patrick Kurtz: “In my case, some of those clichés are actually, funnily enough, a bit true. I started smoking a pipe when I was just 13 – long before I ever became a detective. Around that age, I was already reading Sherlock Holmes novels. But the idea, the thought of actually becoming a detective myself didn’t occur to me until much later.”

How the Detective Profession Has Changed Through the Internet

Moderator: “Okay, Sherlock Holmes is one thing – but these days, methods have gotten a lot more modern. Has the internet become something of a competitor for you?”

Patrick Kurtz: “I think people today have other technical tools at their disposal to figure things out on their own that they might once have needed a detective for. For example, someone might look into their husband’s Facebook account to see what kind of conversations he’s been having. Or as a business owner, you can check social media yourself to see what your employees are up to …”

Moderator: “Yes, that’s true. Some people really do post half their lives online.”

Detmold Detective Jochen Meismann on Social Media

Moderator: “Jochen Meismann from the Condor Detective Agency, with an office in Detmold, experiences the same thing. But he says social media also has its advantages.”

Jochen Meismann: “Social media allows us to find photos of people quite quickly – people whose appearance we otherwise wouldn’t know. And we often find connections we wouldn’t have known about otherwise. Because how else would you know who’s friends with or related to whom? Normally, that information just isn’t available. But on Facebook, it’s all like an open book.”

Moderator: “Very convenient! Detectives in Lippe – a fascinating topic! This morning here on Radio Lippe – good morning!”

Kurtz Detective Agency Bielefeld | Germany

Queen Plaza

Herforder Straße 69

D-33602 Bielefeld

Tel.: +49 521 2567 0055

E-Mail: kontakt@kurtz-detektei-bielefeld.de

Web: https://www.kurtz-detektei-bielefeld.de/en

Google: https://g.page/kurtz-detektei-bielefeld

Over 136,000 reported cases in Germany each year

A Bielefeld-based flight attendant working for Condor, Germany’s fourth-largest airline, must have found a truly “thievish pleasure” in his actions when he managed over several months to “fish out” cash packages totaling more than €100,000—quite literally. So-called safety bags, filled during the flight with onboard sales proceeds, are stored after landing in specially secured safes—supposedly a theft-proof system. However, the flight attendant circumvented this mechanism by using improvised fishing hooks, enabling him to reel in his high-value loot. The theft was uncovered by the Bielefeld Criminal Police after company management discovered that a total of nine such packages had disappeared in recent months. As bundles of cash were found in the perpetrator’s apartment as well as deposits exceeding €50,000 in his bank account, the man is now under investigation for aggravated theft (§ 243 German Criminal Code).

In 2014 alone, more than 136,000 cases of theft from offices, warehouses, and company premises were officially recorded in Germany. The actual number is likely much higher, since some companies either never detect smaller thefts or keep them secret—fearing reputational damage or negative publicity—and instead try to resolve such matters internally, for example with the help of our detective agency in Bielefeld (+49 521 2567 0055). Our corporate investigators assist all types of businesses in uncovering seemingly inexplicable financial losses, disappearing stock, and missing funds—in short, cases of embezzlement and theft within the company. The perpetrators are often found among the company’s own staff (employee crime), particularly when there has been no recent burglary involving stolen goods, materials, or cash.

Properly Assessing the Risks

Many company executives still underestimate the growing threat that may come from their own employees. According to various statistics, property crimes against businesses—despite the huge factor of shoplifting—are committed in more than half of all cases not by outsiders, but by insiders who know the workflows and security loopholes better than anyone else. Some companies are especially careless with passwords, keys, or door codes, which in most cases are not changed immediately after an employee leaves. This literally leaves doors and gates open for former staff to re-enter the premises unnoticed—sometimes out of revenge against a former boss, sometimes simply for personal gain. But that’s only the tip of the iceberg. Much more frequently, theft and embezzlement are committed by seemingly loyal employees. As our IHK-certified private investigators in Bielefeld can confirm from numerous assignments, what often begins as the petty “borrowing” of pens and notepads can easily escalate into the regular theft of significant sums of money. In practice, six-figure amounts stolen gradually over months or years are not uncommon, even among cashiers—let alone perpetrators in higher-ranking positions with greater authority.

In many cases, thefts go either entirely unnoticed or are detected far too late, making it impossible to identify the culprit and leaving the company to bear both the financial loss and the uncertainty about its staff’s integrity. It is therefore crucial for every business to eliminate potential loopholes, maintain an exceptionally precise and trustworthy accounting department, and, in case of loss, engage reliable investigators such as our corporate detectives from Bielefeld. We are your strong partner when your company suffers from internal crimes, and we are happy to advise you after the investigation on how to prevent copycat acts and make your premises safer overall.

Establishing Control Mechanisms – Especially in Companies with High Staff Turnover

The smaller a company is, the less likely its executives believe theft could occur. However, a familial atmosphere and a seemingly loyal team often create a false sense of security. Regardless of how confident management may feel that “such a thing could never happen here,” theft by employees occurs even in the best and most close-knit workplaces. Kindness and trust alone do not protect against dishonest employees—only good control systems, high safety standards, and deterrence do. It can even have a positive effect to inform staff after the fact about a detective investigation (see, for instance, a comparable case handled by our Leipzig colleagues). Our Bielefeld-based corporate investigation agency handles a wide variety of business-related cases (see overviews here and here), identifies perpetrators, and provides court-admissible evidence: kontakt@kurtz-detektei-bielefeld.de.

In addition to the factors mentioned above, high staff turnover—e.g., through the hiring of interns, trainees, seasonal workers, volunteers, or temporary staff—can also increase the likelihood of property crimes within a company. Those employed only briefly often lack a sense of identification with the organization and may therefore be more willing to commit damaging acts. “I’ll be gone soon anyway—nobody will remember me in a few months,” is often the mindset. Our detectives in East Westphalia therefore emphasize the importance of building trust structures while also clearly communicating that theft and misconduct will not be tolerated. Background checks on job applicants can also play a decisive role—preventive measures that often pay off when conducted by the Kurtz Detective Agency.

Court-Admissible Evidence by Qualified Investigators

If you or your accounting department discover discrepancies in financial statements, inventories, or revenue for which no plausible explanation can be found, you are likely dealing with a “light-fingered magpie” within your company. But what can you do? If you already suspect one or more employees of unlawfully taking cash or goods, one of our Bielefeld-based private investigators can be discreetly placed inside the company to observe suspicious individuals and determine whether theft is indeed taking place. If you operate a large warehouse with frequent staff and supplier traffic, our investigators can review internal processes. Should goods disappear between warehouse and customer, our detective teams can discreetly observe the delivery personnel, identify route deviations, and document the diversion of goods to unauthorized locations in a manner admissible in court. Need assistance creating or implementing a custom security concept for your company? Our qualified security consultants and IT security experts are here to help.

Trust in our professional and discreet detectives in Bielefeld. We are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at +49 521 2567 0055.

Author: Dr. Maya Grünschloß

Kurtz Detective Agency Bielefeld | Germany

Queen Plaza

Herforder Straße 69

D-33602 Bielefeld

Tel.: +49 521 2567 0055

E-Mail: kontakt@kurtz-detektei-bielefeld.de

Web: https://www.kurtz-detektei-bielefeld.de/en

Google: https://g.page/kurtz-detektei-bielefeld

Disorganised: Groom Gets Himself into Trouble

Mr Lemgo wants to celebrate his wedding – good for him. Unfortunately, months earlier his fiancée had suggested a wedding date that he had agreed to without much thought. The problem: Mr Lemgo, who would soon become the target of the Kurtz Corporate Detective Agency Bielefeld and East Westphalia, is the company’s chief electrician, and the annual maintenance work – scheduled for the very same weekend – cannot be carried out without him. So what does Mr Lemgo do? He goes to the doctor the week before the wedding and submits a medical certificate to his employer. The company owner, however, distinctly remembers having to reject Mr Lemgo’s holiday request for that same weekend because of the maintenance work and knows that the reason for the request was a wedding date. Accordingly, he suspects feigned illness and commissions our detectives in Bielefeld to observe the absent employee.

Civil Ceremony and Celebration in Bad Salzuflen – the Supposedly Ill Employee Present Throughout

On the wedding day, two detective teams begin surveillance at the target person’s residence and at the registry office, as it is unclear where Mr Lemgo will be at the start of the operation. Before 11 a.m., the wedding party arrives at the registry office with the target person coming from an unknown direction, and the Bielefeld private investigators stationed at the residence end their assignment. For reasons of discretion and inconspicuousness, the two investigators at the registry office do not attend the ceremony but cover both main exits to record the target person leaving the building. This is achieved without difficulty thanks to the conspicuous procession of the wedding guests.

After the civil ceremony, our detectives follow the party to a country estate in Bad Salzuflen where the celebrations take place. In the garden, a photo studio takes pictures of the bride, groom and wedding party. Unfortunately, access controls prevent the observers of the Kurtz Detective Agency Bielefeld from attending the celebration and observing whether, in addition to the act of celebrating itself, other activities obviously inconsistent with illness occur – such as lively dancing or alcohol consumption.

En Route to Gran Canaria: Detectives on the Plane

By around 4 p.m., the celebration appears to be over, as the target person of the Kurtz Detective Agency Bielefeld and East Westphalia leaves the venue in Bad Salzuflen with his newlywed wife. The couple enter a suitably decorated vintage Mercedes and drive onto the A2 motorway towards the Ruhr area, then onto the A33 towards Paderborn, and finally to Paderborn-Lippstadt Airport. Here the newlyweds check in two suitcases with Air Berlin. Through a pretextual inquiry, our economic investigators learn that the flight is bound for Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. The operations centre of the Kurtz Detective Agency East Westphalia contacts the client, who authorises pursuit of Mr Lemgo to Gran Canaria. Our investigators secure two remaining seats at moderate prices and board the flight to Las Palmas just under two hours later.

Surveillance by Our Private Detectives on Gran Canaria

Upon arrival on Gran Canaria, Mr and Mrs Lemgo are transferred to their hotel. Our detectives from Bielefeld have no time to hire a car and must follow the shuttle bus in a taxi, securing a hotel room at the same establishment at exorbitant rates. For a total of three days, our private detectives remain on Gran Canaria to obtain final proof of Mr Lemgo’s feigned illness. During this time, the newlyweds go on excursions to various island attractions (a cave village in the Barranco de Guayadeque, the archaeological museum Mundo Aborigen), hike through the Bandama Natural Park, and appear at the seaside fit and healthy – swimming, playing badminton and engaging in other leisure activities. At this point, it can be conclusively ruled out that Mr Lemgo is suffering from any illness, whereupon our investigators, considering the detective costs and proportionality of means, begin their return journey to Paderborn-Lippstadt on the third day after arrival.

Once the client receives the investigation report from our detectives on Gran Canaria and from the celebration in Bad Salzuflen, he issues Mr Lemgo a summary dismissal. The target person of the Kurtz Private Detective Agency Bielefeld thus faces an unpleasant and unexpected “wedding gift” from his now former employer upon returning from Gran Canaria – the removal of an untrustworthy and disloyal employee.

To preserve discretion and protect the privacy of both clients and targets, all names and locations in this case report have been changed beyond recognition.

Kurtz Detective Agency Bielefeld | Germany

Queen Plaza

Herforder Straße 69

D-33602 Bielefeld

Tel.: +49 521 2567 0055

E-Mail: kontakt@kurtz-detektei-bielefeld.de

Web: https://www.kurtz-detektei-bielefeld.de/en

Google: https://g.page/kurtz-detektei-bielefeld

€136,000 obtained through deception

A logistics company from Poland was looking to expand its truck fleet. Online, they found a commercial vehicle dealer from Bielefeld offering unusually attractive prices. Two employees of the Polish firm – who would later commission Kurtz Economic Detective Agency Bielefeld – travelled to East Westphalia to inspect the vehicles. The seller welcomed them on a large lot filled with various trucks, presented the vehicles, claimed ownership, conducted test drives, and even showed authentic registration papers. Everything appeared entirely legitimate. Our clients negotiated the price down by €10,000, signed the purchase contract, and transferred a total of €136,000 to the supposed dealer. Since the vehicles were allegedly still in use, a near-term pickup date was agreed upon.

On the scheduled pickup day, the seller was nowhere to be found. The clients of Kurtz Detective Agency Bielefeld visited the office of the local logistics firm whose name appeared on the lot. The staff knew of the man but claimed no knowledge of a sale. He had approached them with a trading license for buying and selling commercial vehicles, saying he already had a buyer ready. For this reason, they had handed him the keys and registration papers, allowing him to act as an intermediary. However, he had not been seen for some time, and no money had been received. The trucks, of course, belonged to the logistics company, and the supposed dealer had disappeared with €136,000. Accordingly, Kurtz Private Detective Agency Bielefeld was commissioned to locate the fraudster.

Further frauds? Contacting another seller.

As the name given by the suspect was almost certainly false, the detectives began their search using the phone number the man had used during the transaction. Through this number, the Bielefeld investigator uncovered several other connections and online listings – among them, an advertisement for a Mercedes Sprinter. Under the pretext of being a potential buyer, the detective first tried to reach the seller by phone (unsuccessfully) and then via WhatsApp. After about two hours, the man returned the call, giving a name different from the one previously used. We will refer to him here as Mr. Bünde. He willingly discussed the van, even agreeing to lower the price by more than €1,000. The Bielefeld detective and the possible target arranged a meeting in Hamburg for viewing and collection of the vehicle.

Detectives identify the correct target.

The preliminary research thus completed, the corporate investigators began surveillance at the address provided by the seller the following day. On site, Kurtz Detective Agency Bielefeld located a Mercedes Sprinter, though not the exact model advertised. As no other similar van was nearby, they maintained visual observation of the vehicle and monitored the location throughout the day for anyone matching the description of the target. In the afternoon, a man arrived who, following confirmation and photo comparison with the Polish clients, was verified as the advance payment fraudster. Shortly thereafter, two other men drove another Mercedes Sprinter into the same street.

One of the Bielefeld economic detectives approached the three men and overheard that the two newcomers had just completed a test drive with the van. However, they could not agree on a price and left. The suspect then returned to his residence. In this way, our investigators successfully verified the seller’s identity and were now able to involve the authorities.

Organised criminal activity?

The following day was set for the supposed sale meeting between our detective and the suspect. Prior to that, Kurtz Private Detective Agency Bielefeld had coordinated the arrest operation with the State Criminal Police (LKA) in Hamburg. At a rendezvous point near the target area, our Bielefeld investigator met with two colleagues from Kurtz Detective Agency Hamburg and the LKA team – the lead investigator and several plainclothes officers. Because the police suspected the suspect’s activities were linked to organised crime and potentially violent offenders, the tactical unit consisted of more than ten LKA officers plus uniformed backup. Our private detective from Bielefeld was to make initial contact with the target, while the police team secured the area. The agreed signal for the arrest was a phone call to the LKA operation leader.

When our undercover “buyer” received confirmation that all officers were in position, he entered the target street. The Sprinter was already parked there; according to a brief phone call, Mr. Bünde would arrive within minutes. While waiting, the Bielefeld investigator examined the van, mindful that he might be under observation by other members of the suspected group. Eventually, Mr. Bünde appeared with his fifteen-year-old son and handed over the keys so the “buyer” could inspect the vehicle. The registration certificate was said to be in the glove compartment, the title document in the family car. The detective posed as a knowledgeable buyer, inspecting the running engine and then agreeing to purchase for €7,500 instead of the initial €8,600. Mr. Bünde accepted the offer, stating he still needed the van for his snack business for another week but would accept a deposit. The detective offered €500 in cash and said he would transfer the remaining amount. As Mr. Bünde did not have a written contract, the detective suggested noting the details in his own notebook. The suspect wrote down his bank details and presented his German ID card – genuinely issued under the name Mr. Bünde. This indicated that, at least in this case, the Sprinter sale might be a legitimate private transaction rather than a scam. The man even scribbled a provisional receipt.

Swift police action | Arrest of the suspect

When the €500 deposit was about to change hands, our Bielefeld detective pretended to make a call to his office – in reality alerting the LKA leader that the time for the arrest had come. He kept Mr. Bünde engaged in conversation beside the open passenger door until, moments later, plainclothes officers appeared from all directions and overpowered the suspect. Once the situation was secured and Mr. Bünde stood in handcuffs beside the van, additional LKA team members arrived, including forensic specialists. The police cordoned off the area and began securing evidence.

During the debriefing with the detectives from Kurtz Detective Agency Bielefeld and Hamburg, the officers reported finding a bag containing €5,000 in cash on the suspect. His son was questioned briefly and then escorted home to his mother. A police van remained on-site to oversee the removal of the confiscated vehicles.

Seizure of assets

Following the arrest, our economic detectives were informed of the case’s jurisdiction. Here, the Polish clients of Kurtz Economic Detective Agency Bielefeld and East Westphalia could file a civil claim for restitution of the €136,000, plus incurred investigation costs and recovery expenses. Several of Mr. Bünde’s assets were seized immediately after his arrest.

Kurtz Detective Agency sincerely thanks the State Criminal Police of Hamburg for their exceptionally effective and cooperative collaboration in this case.

Postscript

The perpetrator was sentenced in August 2016 to three years in prison. Due to the length of the sentence, probation was not an option.

Kurtz Detective Agency Bielefeld | Germany

Queen Plaza

Herforder Straße 69

D-33602 Bielefeld

Tel.: +49 521 2567 0055

E-Mail: kontakt@kurtz-detektei-bielefeld.de

Web: https://www.kurtz-detektei-bielefeld.de/en

Google: https://g.page/kurtz-detektei-bielefeld

As revealed by the current Cyber Security Report 2015 by Deutsche Telekom – a report followed with great interest every year by the business investigators of Kurtz Detective Agency Bielefeld – decision-makers from politics and business, including 113 members of parliament and 532 executives, consider damage caused by computer viruses and data fraud on the internet to be the greatest danger among all societal threats. Other frequently mentioned risks also relate to the IT sector and reflect the widespread fear of data misuse through social networks (63 percent) and large corporations (52 percent), as well as the concern about surveillance by domestic or foreign intelligence services (49 percent). Furthermore, the respondents’ assessment of increasing risks underlines the seriousness of data misuse: 36 percent of entrepreneurs and politicians view it as the greatest threat for the future.

In 2015 alone, 46 percent of affected German companies had to deal with cyberattacks from the World Wide Web on a regular basis – several times a month, weekly, or even daily. This confirms that widespread concerns are by no means unfounded. While many of these attacks can ultimately be resolved, most are not detected immediately but only after several months – by which time they have often caused significant losses. The German economy suffers annual damages amounting to 51 billion euros from industrial espionage alone – a figure that could have been considerably reduced through early detection and timely intervention, for instance with the help of our business investigators and IT specialists from Bielefeld.

Virtual Attack – Real Damage

There is at least one positive development: 82 percent of large German corporations now employ in-house IT staff, and 64 percent of all companies have IT security concepts in place or at least in planning. However, only 21 percent of small companies (10–50 employees) have their own IT specialists. This low figure is surprising, since the Cyber Security Report shows that, regardless of company size, 90 percent of respondents assign high or very high importance to IT security. Nearly half of the surveyed executives report difficulties filling IT positions, which brings the work of Kurtz Detective Agency Bielefeld increasingly into focus. Our IT specialists, private and corporate detectives are in demand not only in Bielefeld and East Westphalia, but throughout Germany, whenever companies require assistance with planning, developing, or implementing a cybersecurity system.

A paradox within the report lies in the discrepancy between the widespread fear of cyber risks – and the majority’s own experience of cybercrime damage – versus the relatively low assessment of severe harm, rated as “likely” by only 60 percent. The business investigators of Kurtz Detective Agency Bielefeld frequently observe that clients underestimate hacker-related damages, treating them as trivial incidents rather than serious threats to their innovations. This underlines the need for awareness regarding both the financial and strategic consequences of cyberattacks.

Better Safe Than Sorry – IT Specialists in Bielefeld and East Westphalia

The misjudgment or overconfidence of many executives is reflected in the high percentage (60 percent) who believe they are adequately prepared for possible attacks and consider their IT systems relatively resilient. Sixteen percent of companies rely solely on their own IT departments for security monitoring, while a mere three percent engage external specialists such as those at Kurtz Detective Agency Bielefeld. There is clear room for improvement, particularly since in nearly 80 percent of businesses, responsibility for information and communication security lies with top management or senior department heads – individuals who rarely possess the technical expertise required for truly secure systems.

Another noteworthy finding in the Cyber Security Report 2015 is the increased demand among politicians and executives for stronger governmental support in combating IT threats. Only 16 percent of surveyed companies participate in cross-company security systems or government-organized digital security initiatives. Compared to 2013, the number of those who feel sufficiently supported by the state fell by 10 percent to only 29 percent, while calls for more public funding rose by 12 percent – now voiced by over half of respondents. This support could, for example, take the form of financial assistance for developing security concepts or tax incentives for engaging external service providers such as Kurtz Detective Agency Bielefeld, whose IT specialists and corporate investigators would gladly take on such assignments more frequently.

Security Has Its Price

The rising IT expenses faced by 85 percent of surveyed companies in light of ongoing digitalization are, in fact, investments well spent – even if they may seem painful initially. Our business detectives in Bielefeld frequently observe that the protection of proprietary innovations, information, data, and communications far outweighs the costs of security measures. Such preventive investments are by no means a necessary evil but an essential safeguard. Since 31 percent of executives and politicians admit to uncertainty about the scale of necessary IT investments amid the rapid pace of technological development, this uncertainty can be effectively addressed through consultation or engagement of the IT specialists and corporate detectives at Kurtz Detective Agency Bielefeld: +49 521 2567 0055.

In the age of Industry 4.0 and the accompanying rise in networking and automation, 87 percent of respondents fear hacker attacks on internal IT systems. This threat can only be countered through comprehensive, multi-layered protection. Whatever your company’s focus may be, a consistent and robust cybersecurity system is indispensable for smooth operations, safeguarding corporate innovations, and maintaining competitiveness in the marketplace. The IT department of Kurtz Business Detective Agency Bielefeld stands ready to assist: kontakt@kurtz-detektei-bielefeld.de.

Author: Dr. Maya Grünschloß

Kurtz Detective Agency Bielefeld | Germany

Queen Plaza

Herforder Straße 69

D-33602 Bielefeld

Tel.: +49 521 2567 0055

E-Mail: kontakt@kurtz-detektei-bielefeld.de

Web: https://www.kurtz-detektei-bielefeld.de/en

Google: https://g.page/kurtz-detektei-bielefeld

As a single mother, life isn’t easy — no question about it. You have to “run the household,” earn a living, and raise a child — all without a partner’s help. Most mothers handle this situation admirably, others fight their way through adversity and would never let anything harm their child, while still others can’t withstand the pressure and seek help. And then there are those who resort to means that endanger the child’s welfare. This case handled by the Kurtz Detective Agency Bielefeld and East Westphalia concerns the latter.

Is the granddaughter safe with her mother?

The clients of our detectives from Bielefeld, Mr. and Mrs. Jennecke, have a four-year-old granddaughter. She is the daughter of their late son and his former partner. During his lifetime, their son had joint custody and saw his daughter regularly, four to five days every two weeks. After his death, sole custody went to the girl’s mother, Ms. Holst. The relationship between Ms. Holst and the Jenneckes had never been good, and today the couple sees their granddaughter only rarely. Yet, as Mrs. Jennecke assured our Bielefeld private detectives in tears, the little one has never left their hearts.

The couple had long feared that the child might not be well cared for by her mother. However, as their family-law attorney explained, without proof they would stand no chance of convincing a judge to change the custody arrangement. Moreover, stirring up trouble based on mere suspicion could irreparably damage relations between the mother and the grandparents.

An anonymous call shakes the grandparents

For a long time, the Jenneckes kept quiet, despite their worries, until one day they received an anonymous call from a self-proclaimed neighbor of Ms. Holst — and then contacted our private detectives in Bielefeld. The caller claimed that sex was being sold in Ms. Holst’s apartment, that he was disturbed by the constant stream of men, and that something needed to be done for the sake of the child. He said he had known the Jenneckes’ son and, having been loosely acquainted with him, wanted to reach out to the grandparents.

The couple was, of course, deeply shocked by this information and unsure how to proceed. File a criminal complaint with the police? They would likely take no action in what was essentially a family-law matter. Prostitution itself is not illegal, even if it would certainly be interesting to know what the landlord thought of the alleged activities taking place in the apartment (keyword: residential prostitution). Their attorney agreed with these considerations and, after consulting with the operations management of the Kurtz Detective Agency Bielefeld and East Westphalia, advised the Jenneckes to commission our detectives.

Online research into the alleged prostitute

The first step was to check with police contacts whether there had been any previous incidents involving Ms. Holst or her address that might indicate professional sexual services. Since no such records existed and, as expected, there was no business registration, our Bielefeld detectives proceeded with online research. They searched for any mention of prostitution in connection with the target’s address. The results were modest, but one noteworthy clue did emerge: in a forum where clients exchange experiences about sex workers’ prices and services, the address appeared in a post. It referred to a woman offering private services (without a pimp) at relatively low rates. The author claimed to have received the tip from a friend and to have “checked it out” himself, but said he was disappointed by the woman’s appearance and the apartment’s lack of cleanliness and had left without engaging in anything.

During our Bielefeld private detectives’ research, no contact details for arranging a meeting with the woman could be found.

Observation by our Bielefeld detectives: sorting the good from the bad

The operations management of the Kurtz Detective Agency Bielefeld and East Westphalia decided to conduct surveillance at the address to determine whether men were indeed coming and going. This decision was based on the hope that there would be frequent visitors rather than only occasional ones, as extended surveillance over several days or weeks would have exceeded the Jenneckes’ budget. Given the anonymous caller’s statement about constant visitors, this seemed a reasonable expectation.

However, another problem emerged before the observation could begin: the residence was a multi-family building. To identify which men entering were residents and which were not, all male tenants had to be identified. This required a week of extensive, undercover pre-investigation. By the time surveillance began, only one male resident remained unidentified (reported to be on vacation), minimizing the margin of error.

Numerous unidentified male visitors

Our private detective from Bielefeld positioned himself so that, with a telephoto lens, he could see which doorbell each arriving visitor pressed. Over three consecutive days, during shifts running from 11:00 a.m. to between 1:00 and 3:00 a.m. (depending on when the lights in the target apartment went out), the two alternating investigators documented a total of 13 male individuals ringing Ms. Holst’s bell, entering the building, and not residing there. Three stayed only a few minutes; nine stayed between 15 minutes and four hours; and one appeared to spend the entire night. Four additional men rang but did not enter, in three cases because someone else had already gone in and not yet left.

It was also noted that Ms. Holst had no visible employment outside the apartment, and her daughter was never seen by our Bielefeld private detectives. The target herself was observed outside the apartment only once, shopping, and several other times smoking at an open window — usually wearing a light robe that could well serve as erotic attire.

Our detectives from Bielefeld pose as clients

The above findings from the Kurtz Detective Agency Bielefeld and East Westphalia were already quite conclusive. Nevertheless, after consultation with the Jenneckes and their attorney, one further measure was taken: two detectives, posing as potential clients, were to visit Ms. Holst’s apartment a few days apart. In both cases, she made explicit offers, which our Bielefeld private detectives, after some conversation and negotiation, of course declined. These exchanges served to collect additional information and confirm suspicions. Both investigators remarked on the apartment’s poor cleanliness.

One detective even saw the daughter, who walked through the hallway with a stuffed animal, greeted him, and was then sent back to her room by her mother. Since the child did not appear to attend kindergarten, she must have regular contact with her mother’s clients. How much she witnesses of the sexual acts can only be guessed — but a severe breach of parental duty is beyond doubt. Consequently, after the conclusion of the investigation by the Kurtz Detective Agency Bielefeld and East Westphalia, the Jenneckes intend to seek custody of their granddaughter with the help of their lawyer. Whether they will succeed remains uncertain, but at the very least, the youth welfare office is likely to impose strict monitoring in the future.

To protect the privacy and personal rights of clients and subjects, all names and locations in this case report have been altered beyond recognition.

Kurtz Detective Agency Bielefeld | Germany

Queen Plaza

Herforder Straße 69

D-33602 Bielefeld

Tel.: +49 521 2567 0055

E-Mail: kontakt@kurtz-detektei-bielefeld.de

Web: https://www.kurtz-detektei-bielefeld.de/en

Google: https://g.page/kurtz-detektei-bielefeld

Missing person investigation in East Westphalia by private detectives

The detectives of Kurtz Detective Agency Bielefeld were engaged in a missing person case: the 17-year-old daughter of the Bürki family, from a rural area in East Westphalia, had been missing for five days. Neither her parents, siblings, nor grandparents knew whether something had happened to her or whether she had left voluntarily. The family were deeply worried and asked the private investigators of Kurtz Detective Agency Bielefeld to locate her as quickly as possible. However, the available budget was tight, which immediately ruled out the use of highly efficient tracking dogs.

Preliminary research | Gathering clues by Bielefeld detectives

To establish a starting point, our Bielefeld private investigators first inquired into the background: had there been an argument, was there perhaps a man involved, or might drugs play a role? All of this was denied by the clients. The daughter, they said, was a very reserved girl who had never done anything wrong, and the subject of men had never even arisen. Minor disagreements had only occurred concerning her career path: the father wanted his daughter to become a secretary in his small business, but she had always categorically refused this option. She wanted to make her own way and be less dependent on her family. Rumour had it, the mother told Kurtz Detective Agency Bielefeld and East Westphalia, that the girl had taken a job at a butcher’s chain and was now working there.

No missing person report filed with the police

The butcher’s chain in question operated more than twenty branches within a 150-kilometre radius. Conducting research here would, of course, entail a certain effort for our detectives in Bielefeld. As part of their preliminary investigation, the detectives checked whether a missing person report had been filed for the subject. When this turned out not to be the case, they confronted the clients about it. The family said they wished to keep the matter as anonymous as possible, as they did not want to trouble anyone or cause a stir in the neighbourhood. Our Bielefeld private detectives found this reasoning rather peculiar and tried to persuade the clients to file a report – but in vain. They wanted nothing to do with the police. Since this raised further doubts, the detectives of Kurtz Detective Agency Bielefeld quickly checked whether the family members had any prior criminal record. Apart from an assault charge against the father – which had not resulted in a conviction and dated back 25 years – nothing was found.

Operational strategy of Kurtz Detective Agency Bielefeld

Based on the information obtained during the preliminary investigation, Kurtz Detective Agency Bielefeld and East Westphalia developed their operational strategy. The first step was to check the branches of the butcher’s chain within a wide radius around Bielefeld. All branch addresses had to be researched first. As the clients expressly requested that our Bielefeld private detectives neither approach the subject directly nor cause her any distress, a legend-based approach(cover story) at one of the branches or even at the company’s head office was not an option. Had there been an official missing person report, open communication with the company could have quickly revealed whether the subject worked there. Instead, our commercial investigators in Bielefeld now had to visit one branch after another.

Restrictive budget limits complicate the investigation

A major difficulty in this approach lay in the working hours. While butcher’s shops do not typically operate extreme round-the-clock shifts, the company’s opening hours indicated at least two alternating shifts. Consequently, it could happen that an observer from Kurtz Detective Agency Bielefeld would be stationed at the correct branch, but the subject was not present at that time. Factoring in holidays and days off made the entire operation increasingly reliant on luck.

Due to budgetary constraints, the clients demanded that only one detective conduct the search. Kurtz Detective Agency Bielefeld, however, refused outright – one investigator alone would be relying on pure chance. A single operative could never visit all branches within the span of an expected shift change, and even for two detectives, it would be a tight schedule. In the end, both parties agreed on a two-person team.

Finding the subject at the very last moment

The two investigators divided the list of branches between them and visited each one separately. They checked all employees at each location, yet the subject could not be identified anywhere. One Bielefeld detective was just being informed by his colleague that he had completed the last branch on his list and was about to wrap up, when he himself reached his final stop. And there she was – right outside the very last branch on his route, talking to a family (a man, a woman, and two children). A visible bruise marked her left eye. Apparently, the girl had just finished her shift, and if that family had not turned up, our investigator from Kurtz Private Detective Agency Bielefeld and East Westphalia might not have seen her at all. He immediately instructed his colleague not to stand down but to come over and assist with the surveillance.

Successful determination of her whereabouts

By fortunate coincidence (though certainly not by design on our part), the second commercial investigator was located relatively close by and arrived at the site just ten minutes later. The missing girl was still conversing with the family. A few minutes later, a taxi pulled up in front of the shop. The girl and the family hugged, then the family drove away – without her. The subject then walked to a nearby public transport stop, followed discreetly by one of our private detectives, while the other tailed them by car. After an extended journey, she reached her current place of residence. However, complications arose at this point.

No ordinary case – no ordinary investigation report

As the detectives of Kurtz Corporate Investigation Agency Bielefeld quickly realised, the address turned out to be a facility for individuals who, due to a recognised need for protection, wish to remain undiscoverable. Being trained to handle such situations sensitively, the detectives conducted further local research after consulting with operations management. They soon learned that the subject had voluntarily entered a protection programme, having been a victim of domestic violence at the hands of her father.

The detectives immediately terminated the investigation and filed a full report. However, this report was subsequently redacted almost entirely, containing only operational times and the note that the subject had been located, but that no further details could be disclosed. Although the clients voiced strong objections to this procedure, it was clearly defined and legitimised as an exceptional case in the investigation contract. It goes without saying that private investigators must never endanger the safety of subjects by knowingly disclosing information to individuals who are under strong suspicion of having committed offences against them.

To protect the privacy and personal rights of both clients and subjects, all names and locations in this case study have been altered beyond recognition.

Kurtz Detective Agency Bielefeld | Germany

Queen Plaza

Herforder Straße 69

D-33602 Bielefeld

Tel.: +49 521 2567 0055

E-Mail: kontakt@kurtz-detektei-bielefeld.de

Web: https://www.kurtz-detektei-bielefeld.de/en

Google: https://g.page/kurtz-detektei-bielefeld