Whether dealing with abusive sick leave, unfair competition, internal fraud, candidate background checks, or the detection of listening devices, the Aquila Stratégie agencies—located in Marseille, Toulon, Nice, and Sophia Antipolis—provide business leaders, HR directors, and legal departments with the concrete evidence needed to complete their files.
What risk does your company face?
A company might turn to a private investigator when the cost of suspicion outweighs the cost of obtaining proof—for instance, an employee on medical leave who is working elsewhere, a former business partner soliciting your clients, inventory that is mysteriously disappearing, or a job candidate with an “all-too-perfect” resume. Each situation requires a specific approach and operates within a distinct legal framework. You can select the method that suits your needs, or simply describe the situation to us during an initial, confidential consultation.
Abusive sick leave
An employee on sick leave who engages in paid work or activities that compete with their employer’s business commits misconduct—a fact that the employer must prove, not merely assume. Our investigators document these activities in public spaces, in accordance with the framework established by labor law, and provide a report that your lawyer can then submit to the employment tribunal.
Unfair competition
Whether it involves the diversion of clients, breach of a non-compete clause, poaching of staff, or the unauthorized use of a database or proprietary know-how, establishing proof requires concrete, dated evidence. Our investigators gather such evidence through observation, formal documentation, and open-source research, providing the basis for legal action before the commercial court or through summary proceedings.
Vérification de CV et d'antécédents
Before entrusting someone with a sensitive position, a mandate, or access to your data, verify that the claimed qualifications, experience, and references are genuine. Our investigators vet the background of a candidate, prospective business partner, or service provider, in accordance with the limits set by the Labor Code and the GDPR.
Theft, internal fraud, and misappropriation
Inventory discrepancies, inflated expense reports, fictitious suppliers, cash register imbalances—internal fraud is often discovered only months after it occurs. Our investigators identify the perpetrator and the modus operandi, documenting the facts to support disciplinary, civil, or criminal proceedings.
Detection of eavesdropping devices and premises security
Boardrooms, executive offices, corporate vehicles: our detection unit searches for hidden microphones, concealed cameras, GPS trackers, and network-based eavesdropping devices, providing a technical report complete with recommendations. On-site services available throughout the region.
Mystery shoppers
In retail, hospitality, food service, or branch networks, a mystery shopper assesses the actual experience of your customers—from the initial point of contact to the final transaction—and provides an objective look at the gaps between established procedures and what is happening on the ground. You receive a factual report, broken down by individual location.
Are you a lawyer, notary, or judicial officer acting on behalf of a company? Visit our page dedicated to legal professionals.
How a corporate investigation is conducted
Our branches in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
We receive clients by appointment or we can travel to your premises from our branches in Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Toulon, Fréjus, Saint-Tropez, Nice, Sophia Antipolis and Monaco. Cases involving a headquarters or a subsidiary located outside the region are handled in collaboration with the agencies of the Aquila Stratégie Group, and—internationally—with correspondents from the CII network.
Enquêter sur un salarié : ce que l'employeur peut faire, et ce qu'il ne peut pas
An employer’s right to obtain evidence ends where an employee’s right to privacy begins. Case law permits the shadowing of an employee in a public space, provided it is proportionate to the objective pursued and limited to a specific occurrence—such as engaging in other work while on leave, visiting a competitor, or failing to comply with a contractual clause. Conversely, it rules out general surveillance, the geolocation of a personal vehicle, access to private messaging, or intrusion into a private residence.
Evidence obtained outside of this framework is ruled inadmissible, and the company risks legal action for invasion of privacy. For this reason, every assignment is defined in consultation with your lawyer before it begins, and a brief preliminary assessment often precedes the full-scale investigation.
Aquila Stratégie is accredited by the CNAPS, and its investigators are employees of the agency. You know exactly who is handling your case and under what authorization, and you have a single point of contact from the initial consultation through to the delivery of the final report.
Our private detective agencies in PACA
Aquila Stratégie operates throughout the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. Our teams travel across the entire territory to conduct discreet and effective investigations. Find us in the following agencies:
Frequently asked questions from businesses
Oui, dans un cadre strict : filature sur la voie publique, proportionnée au but poursuivi, visant un fait précis comme l’exercice d’une activité concurrente ou rémunérée pendant l’arrêt. La surveillance générale ou l’intrusion dans la vie privée rendent la preuve inexploitable. Aquila Stratégie cadre chaque mission avec l’avocat de l’entreprise avant de l’engager.
Yes, provided that the established facts constitute misconduct and the evidence was obtained in a fair and proper manner. The report does not replace the disciplinary procedure; rather, it documents it. It is submitted to the employment tribunal (conseil de prud’hommes) if the employee contests the disciplinary action.
Through specific, dated factual evidence—such as the solicitation of identified clients, the pursuit of a competing business activity during a restricted period, or the use of company files or proprietary know-how—these elements are documented in a report. Your lawyer then submits this report to the Commercial Court or presents it in summary proceedings (*référé*), often accompanied by a formal statement (*constat*) drawn up by a judicial officer (*commissaire de justice*).
Yes. Each assignment is based on a documented, legitimate reason and is limited to data that is strictly necessary. There is no eavesdropping, no covert geolocation, and no intrusion into private spaces. This framework protects the evidentiary value of the findings, as well as the company itself.
Following the initial consultation and the signing of the engagement contract, surveillance can generally begin within 24 to 48 hours in the local area. An operation to detect listening devices can be scheduled within a few days, ideally at a time when staff are not present.
Yes. Other regions are covered by the offices of the Aquila Stratégie Group (Île-de-France, Brittany, Pays de la Loire, and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes). For international cases, the investigation is handled by an authorized correspondent within the CII network, of which Aquila Stratégie is a member.
Uncertain about something in your company?
Over 10 years of experience. No-obligation quotes. Agency approved by the CNAPS.