Legal Precision Meets Financial Strategy: Lessons from a Cross-Border Recovery

By Alex Gilbert, Senior Finance Recovery Specialist at SIRAC

When it comes to high-value asset recovery, the real breakthroughs happen at the intersection of finance and law. I had the privilege of witnessing this firsthand during a complex case I worked on alongside our Chief Legal Officer, Jessica Brooks—a case that reminded me just how vital legal insight is when navigating the intricacies of international fraud.

The operation spanned three jurisdictions, involved over a dozen shell entities, and required airtight coordination with both regulators and foreign enforcement agencies. While I led the strategic tracing and valuation of hidden assets—structured through layered cryptocurrency and offshore accounts—it was Jessica’s legal mastery that unlocked the final result.

Due to NDAs and national security considerations, I’m unable to name the entities involved. What I can share is that millions were on the line, and our clients were near hopeless after years of stonewalling by offshore financial institutions.

What changed everything was the legal mechanism Jessica helped design—one that leveraged existing treaties and enforced compliance via regulatory backchannels. Her approach ensured that our financial claims weren’t just accurate, but enforceable. Watching that process unfold reminded me that successful recovery doesn’t end at the numbers—it begins with legal enforceability.

For me, this case reaffirmed an essential truth: in cross-border fraud, you don’t just need a finance expert or a legal mind—you need both, working in lockstep. Jessica’s legal strategy complemented the forensic trail I built, transforming good evidence into a winnable outcome.

That’s why, at SIRAC, we never approach recovery in isolation. Every investigator here is part of a wider structure—one where legal, financial, and regulatory knowledge converge to give our clients not just hope, but results.

If you’re facing an international fraud scenario, I urge you to look beyond surface-level recovery offers. Ask who’s behind the scenes. Ask whether your recovery team can stand up to legal scrutiny—because if it can’t, the fraudsters win again.

"A solid recovery plan starts with proof, but it ends with legal power. Without that, you're just chasing shadows."

– Alex Gilbert, Senior Finance Recovery Specialist at SIRAC