Undoubtedly, one of an SMME owners worst nightmares is realizing that his or her business is the victim of a criminal syndicate that is embedded in the organization. The idea that not one, but potentially several of your staff members are actively colluding to defraud your business is absolutely devastating. In fact, it is so devastating, that in the past we have seen many employers exhibit the five stages of grief when they become aware of what has happened.
What is a Criminal Employee Syndicate?
Broadly, a criminal syndicate can be characterized as a structured, organized group involved in various illegal activities. In a business, a criminal employee syndicate is usually a group of employees who collude to commit illegal or unethical acts for personal or collective gain, often involving fraud, theft, industrial espionage or other forms of financial crime.
Different Forms of Workplace Syndicates: Insiders and External Threats
That said, criminal syndicates in the workplace manifest in a variety of ways. We’ve had several instances where there is only one single employee (“insider”) who is assisting an external syndicate to target a business.
Sometimes that “assistance” is simply confidential information and the “external syndicate” is your main competition. Regardless it’s the kind of thing that keeps you up at night and your bank balance down.
Step 1: Stay Calm and Avoid Triggering the Syndicate
Right, so a couple of things. Firstly, you need to keep your cool! From bitter experience we absolutely know that the syndicate is watching you. They have a contingency plan in place for when you “figure shit out”. You losing your cool is going to trigger that contingency plan which will make the subsequent investigation infinitely more difficult.
Step 2: Prioritize Mapping the Syndicate Over Punishment
Secondly, you need to understand what your priorities are. We know that when you start to realize what is going on you are going to become completely fixated with sticking people in jail. That’s all good and well, but actually that’s not your main priority right now. You need to map the syndicate.
Basically we view a syndicate as a type of cancer in your business. Before you go firing people left, right and center you need to know who and how they have been robbing you (please note – we did not say: why). Excruciatingly that means you might have to watch them rob you again so that you can identify all the players in the ring. Like cancer, if you miss some of them, this thing is going to rear its ugly head further down the line.
Step 3: Protect the Identity of Your Sources
Thirdly, you need to protect the identity of your sources. This stuff is serious – people can get hurt or worse. At some stage one of the players in this syndicate is going to do a very objective consolidated review of what you know and how you know and then act on that. You need to be careful.
Step 4: Firing Syndicate Members – What You Need to Know
Finally, you need to fire these people. We know you’re thinking about sticking them in jail, but actually before doing that you need to get them out your business. To be clear, we are not the guys that stick people in jail, but we often help with that process.
Also you need to accept that you might not fire them for what they have done but rather for what you can prove. It’s always a little incongruous firing a criminal mastermind for poor timekeeping, but if that is what is going to stick then that’s what we are going to go with.
When to Involve Experts in Handling Syndicates
Round about now, it might occur to you that we’ve done this a bit. It might also occur to you that right now you’re not the most objective person in the joint. Might it not be a clever idea to let us run point on this one? Our contact details are below. Either way: Good luck!
Key Takeaways
- Stay calm, even when it hurts: Syndicates are watching. Losing your cool only makes things harder.
- Map the syndicate, don’t rush to punishment: Understanding who is involved and how they operate is more important than immediate revenge.
- Protect your sources: Confidentiality is critical—people can get hurt if information leaks.
- Firing is about evidence, not revenge: Sometimes you can only act on what you can prove, not what you know in your gut.
- Consider expert help: This isn’t the time to go solo; professional guidance can save time, money, and headaches.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What exactly is a criminal employee syndicate?
It’s a group of employees working together—or with outsiders—to commit fraud, theft, or other illegal activities that harm your business.
Can a single employee be part of a syndicate?
Absolutely. Sometimes it’s just one “insider” leaking confidential information to an external group, like a competitor.
Should I fire employees immediately if I suspect a syndicate?
Not right away. First, you need to map the syndicate and gather proof. Firing too soon can tip them off or leave gaps in your investigation.
How do I protect my sources?
Keep their identities confidential, limit access to sensitive information, and communicate carefully. These people are key to uncovering the syndicate safely.
When is it time to call in outside help?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, emotional, or unsure whether you can stay objective, it’s time to get experts involved. They can help you map the situation, investigate thoroughly, and remove syndicate members safely—without putting yourself or your business at risk.
Conclusion
Dealing with a criminal employee syndicate is one of the toughest things an SMME owner can face. It can be infuriating, stressful, and even personal. But staying calm and thinking strategically is what will protect your business.
It’s not about rushing to punish anyone. It’s about seeing the whole picture, protecting your sources, and acting on solid evidence. By mapping the syndicate, keeping your priorities straight, and getting expert help when needed, you can neutralize the threat, safeguard your assets, and prevent future attacks.
It’s a rough road, but with the right approach, your business can survive—and even come out stronger on the other side.
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