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  • Surveillance Investigations — Melbourne & Australia Wide

Covert surveillance that delivers evidence you can actually use.

RIVICA conducts professional, covert surveillance for law firms, corporations, insurers, and private clients across Melbourne and Australia. Every operation is personally directed by Richard James, former Detective Sergeant with 34 years of law enforcement and investigative experience. Court admissible evidence, documented to Australian evidentiary standards. No subcontracting.

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1300 748 422

68+ Verified Reviews

RIVICA Investigations & Covert Solutions Pty Ltd
  • who this service is for

Used across legal, corporate, and personal matters.

Surveillance is one of the most effective investigative tools available and one of the most commonly mishandled. Evidence gathered incorrectly, or by investigators who cannot defend their methodology, creates legal problems rather than solving them. RIVICA’s surveillance operations are built from the outset to produce findings that hold up: in court, in HR proceedings, in insurance reviews, and in family law matters.
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FOR LAW FIRMS AND LITIGATION SUPPORT

Civil litigation, family law, personal injury, and workers’ compensation matters frequently turn on behavioural evidence that only surveillance can produce. We work directly with legal teams to understand what the matter requires, conduct the operation within lawful parameters, and deliver findings in a litigation, ready report format. Timestamped video, photographic documentation, written operational log, and full chain of custody records are included as standard. Richard is available to provide expert testimony where required.

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FOR CORPORATIO NS AND HR TEAMS

When internal concerns about employee behaviour, workers’ compensation fraud, policy compliance, or misconduct cannot be resolved through standard processes, independent surveillance provides objective, defensible evidence. We support HR managers, general counsel, and risk teams with discreet operational surveillance that withstands procedural fairness scrutiny and holds up in subsequent proceedings.
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FOR INSURERS AND CLAIMS MANAGERS

Suspected fraudulent injury claims or exaggerated incapacity require careful, methodical documentation. We conduct surveillance operations to verify or refute claims, producing evidence that meets the standards required by insurers, self-insurers, and legal teams. Every operation is conducted within the bounds of Australian privacy law.

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FOR PRIVATE CLIENTS

If you are dealing with a personal matter that requires independent, documented evidence, whether suspected infidelity, concerns about a family member, or a custody dispute requiring behavioural evidence , we handle private surveillance with the same professional rigour and absolute discretion applied to every engagement. You deal directly with Richard. Nothing is passed to a third party.
  • WHAT WE DELIVER

Every operation ends with evidence, not assumptions.

  • Covert mobile surveillance: subject followed discreetly on foot or by vehicle
  • Stationary surveillance: activity documented at fixed locations
  • Timestamped photographic and video evidence, geo - tagged and court - ready
  • Identifying inconsistencies and gaps in the prosecution's evidence
  • After hours and weekend operations available when your subject is active
  • Undercover operations for matters requiring deeper operational involvement
  • Workplace and site surveillance documenting employee or contractor behaviour
  • Multi-day and extended operations for complex matters requiring sustained coverage
  • Comprehensive written report formatted for legal, HR, or insurance use
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  • HOW IT WORKS

From first call to final report: a structured process that protects your evidence.

Step 1

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Confidential Consultation

You speak directly with Richard James. He will listen carefully to your situation, establish what evidence is actually required, clarify what is achievable within lawful parameters, and advise on the realistic scope of the operation. No obligation. Strictly confidential.

Step 2

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Operational Planning

Before anyone is deployed, we develop a structured plan covering the subject profile, likely patterns of movement, equipment selection, legal parameters, and reporting framework. The preparation is what separates reliable evidence from a gamble.

Step 3

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Covert Deployment

Operations are conducted by experienced investigators using professional grade covert equipment. All activities are lawful, ethical, and aligned with Australian privacy legislation. Mobile and static capability. Urban and regional coverage across Victoria and nationally.

Step 4

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Real - Time Documentation

All findings are documented as they occur: timestamped video and photographic evidence, written operational logs, and chain of custody records. Nothing is reconstructed after the fact.

Step 5

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Report Delivery

You receive a structured written report combining findings, supporting evidence, and an operational summary, formatted to meet the requirements of legal proceedings, HR reviews, or insurance assessments. In most cases, reports are delivered within 24 hours of the operation concluding. Richard is available to provide expert testimony where required.

Client Reviews

I have used Richard and some of his team at RIVICA for surveillance work on several occasions. From the first call to the last, Richard was patient, professional, and empathetic. He always explained the process thoroughly before each job and went above and beyond to arrange cover even at short notice. The reports were very clear, thorough and detailed, the video footage was excellent, and I received regular updates throughout. It’s 10 stars from me.

M

Marisa

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Very prompt service — would highly recommend. Richard was patient and understanding of my stressful situation and easy to get hold of. They had availability during the day and night to gather the evidence I needed, as I was not able to gather it myself. They provided photos, videos and a full report within 24 hours.

S

Shobi W.

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Excellent service from Richard, supporting us with work-related injury claims — clear directions, guidance and effective communication strategies throughout. He truly stands by his word: ‘We will find the piece of evidence to give you the peace of mind.’ Thank you, Richard — we will always reach out to you.

H

Huma U.

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Why Clients Choose RIVICA

What makes the difference when evidence matters most.

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You deal directly with Richard James.

Every RIVICA engagement is personally assessed and directed by Richard, a former Detective Sergeant with 34 years of hands on investigative experience. When your matter is time critical or sensitive, that direct access matters.

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0% subcontracting.

A common industry practice is to pass client work to unknown third party operatives without disclosure. We do not do that. Your operation is conducted under Richard’s direct oversight from start to finish.

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Results that hold up.

Built on 34 years of investigative experience across two countries and two legal systems. When your matter requires evidence that stands up, RIVICA delivers.

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Court testimony experience.

Richard has provided expert evidence in legal proceedings. When your matter goes before a court or tribunal, you have an investigator who understands what cross examination looks like and documents accordingly.

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Evidence delivered fast.

In most cases, your evidence package and written report are ready within 24 hours of surveillance being completed.

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80+ five - star reviews.

The highest rated investigation firms in Australia, across Google and Bark. Trusted by law firms, corporations, insurers, and private clients who needed results and got them.

Case Studies

How surveillance has delivered results for our clients.

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Relevant to :

Evidence Delivered Within 24 Hours

A private client needed urgent surveillance assistance regarding a personal matter causing significant distress. They required day and night availability and needed the process handled with sensitivity.

Richard consulted directly, designed a tailored plan, and conducted operations across multiple time windows. Within 24 hours of surveillance concluding, the client received a complete evidence package including photographs, video footage, and a professional written report. The client described the service as prompt and professional and said Richard was “patient and unders tanding” of their situation.

Read More
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Relevant to :

Behavioural Evidence for Litigation

A client with a complex and sensitive personal matter required sustained evidence collection over an extended timeframe. The subject’s behaviour was unpredictable and standard approaches were insufficient.

Richard became the client’s primary point of contact throughout the investigation, providing strategic advice on evidence collection and guiding the client through the process with patience and clarity. The investigation concluded successfully, with the client noting that Richard’s “insight into human behaviour reflects his years of investigation experience.”

Read More
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Relevant to :

Workers’ Compensation Fraud Confirmed

A Melbourne business owner had growing concerns about an employee on extended approved sick leave, claiming a physical injury prevented them from working. Compensation payments were significant, and information had emerged suggesting the employee’s incapacity was being misrepresented.

Richard designed a structured covert surveillance operation across multiple days, targeting the employee’s known locations and movement patterns. Using mobile and stationary techniques developed over three decades in law enforcement, the operation documented the employee’s physical activities in detail: timestamped photographic and video evidence entirely inconsistent with the claimed injury.

The evidence was presented in a formal workplace investigation, resulting in termination of compensation payments and subsequent disciplinary proceedings.

Read More
  • CASE STUDIES

How surveillance has delivered results for our clients.

Workers' Compensation Fraud Confirmed

A Melbourne business owner had growing concerns about an employee on extended approved sick leave, claiming a physical injury prevented them from working. Compensation payments were significant, and information had emerged suggesting the employee’s incapacity was being misrepresented.
Richard designed a structured covert surveillance operation across multiple days, targeting the employee’s known locations and movement patterns. Using mobile and stationary techniques developed over three decades in law enforcement, the operation documented the employee’s physical activities in detail: timestamped photographic and video evidence entirely inconsistent with the claimed injury.
The evidence was presented in a formal workplace investigation, resulting in termination of compensation payments and subsequent disciplinary proceedings.

Relevant to :

  • HR managers
  • legal teams
  • insurers
  • workers' compensation matters

Behavioural Evidence for Litigation

A client with a complex and sensitive personal matter required sustained evidence collection over an extended timeframe. The subject’s behaviour was unpredictable and standard approaches were insufficient.
Richard became the client’s primary point of contact throughout the investigation, providing strategic advice on evidence collection and guiding the client through the process with patience and clarity. The investigation concluded successfully, with the client noting that Richard’s “insight into human behaviour reflects his years of investigation experience.”

Relevant to

  • Family law matters
  • civil litigation
  • personal clients

Evidence Delivered Within 24 Hours

A private client needed urgent surveillance assistance regarding a personal matter causing significant distress. They required day and night availability and needed the process handled with sensitivity.
Richard consulted directly, designed a tailored plan, and conducted operations across multiple time windows. Within 24 hours of surveillance concluding, the client received a complete evidence package including photographs, video footage, and a professional written report. The client described the service as prompt and professional and said Richard was “patient and unders tanding” of their situation.

Relevant to

  • Private clients
  • personal matters
  • urgent enquiries

Frequently Asked Questions

Is surveillance investigation legal in Melbourne?
Yes. All RIVICA surveillance is conducted lawfully and ethically in accordance with Victorian and Australian law. Every technique used is legal, and all evidence meets court admissibility standards.
Pricing typically starts from $100 to $200 per hour depending on the complexity and duration of the operation. Richard provides a clear, transparent quote after your initial consultation. No hidden costs, no surprises.
Yes. Covert surveillance is conducted without the subject’s awareness. RIVICA uses professional techniques refined across three decades of law enforcement and private practice.
In most cases, RIVICA can begin operations within 24 to 48 hours of your initial consultation.
Yes. All evidence is collected, stored, and documented to meet Australian evidentiary standards. Richard is available to provide expert testimony if required.
Yes. RIVICA conducts surveillance operations across Victoria and nationally.
Never. Every operation is personally overseen by Richard James. We do not outsource your matter to third – party operatives.
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