How to raise a concern safely: a practical guide

If you have seen something that worries you, you may feel stuck: you are not sure it is really wrong, you are not sure who to tell, and you are worried about what will happen to you. That is normal. Here is a practical way through.

1. Write down what happened, now

While it is fresh, write:

• what was said, offered, asked or done, using the actual words if you remember them;
• who, by role if you do not want to use names (for example "a broker at a Monaco brokerage");
• when and where;
• who else saw or heard it.

Date your notes and keep them somewhere private, not on a shared yacht device or a work account.

2. Keep what you have, safely

• Keep the originals: emails, messages, invoices, quotations, voice notes. Do not edit or delete anything.
• Keep a copy somewhere private, such as your own device or storage, not your work account. Do not take documents you are not entitled to.
• If you are unsure whether you may keep or share a document, ask a lawyer before you do. We can introduce one.

3. What not to do

• Do not confront the person, or tell colleagues who might tip them off.
• Do not access accounts, mailboxes or systems you are not authorised to use.
• Do not secretly record conversations without checking the law in the country concerned. Some countries make it an offence.
• Do not post it online. It can expose you to legal risk and make it harder for a proper process to work.
• Do not agree to take part because you feel you cannot refuse. Ask for the instruction in writing instead.

4. Think about your protection

Many countries protect people who report wrongdoing in good faith, and some protect people who report anonymously or to the authorities. The rules, and who they cover, vary a great deal, and an agency worker or a freelancer may be treated differently from an employee. Get advice before you act. If it helps, we can introduce someone who can tell you what applies to you.

5. Choose how to raise it

Option	Good for	Things to know
Speak to us, privately	Not knowing where to begin; staying anonymous; understanding your options	We are not lawyers. We help you think it through and, with your permission, introduce one. Start here.
Speak to a lawyer	Knowing your rights and risks	Confidential. Costs may apply; we can point you towards options.
Report inside your company	Where there is a trusted route	Check whether it is genuinely independent and whether you will be protected.
Report to an authority	A possible crime	Usually the public prosecutor or the relevant anti-corruption or fraud body. A lawyer can help you do it safely.

6. What happens if you contact us

1. You write to us through the private portal. It is encrypted on your device. You can stay anonymous.
2. We read it and reply into your private case, which only your key can open.
3. We help you understand your options in plain English.
4. If you agree, a legally qualified lawyer reviews it, and we introduce the right legal team or authority. We ask you again before anything that could identify you leaves us.

At every stage, you decide.

If you are worried about your job

That worry is real, and it is why many people say nothing. You are not alone, and you do not have to decide today. Talk to us, or to a lawyer, about your position before you do anything that might affect it.

General information, not legal advice. See the disclaimer and how your privacy is protected.