After discovering fraud, the urge to delete humiliating chats or wipe compromised devices is understandable—and often harmful. Spoliation can weaken civil claims and institutional reviews.
Preserve first: export messages, image devices if advised, and suspend auto-deletion policies. Remediation can follow once a forensic copy exists.
Instruct employees in corporate matters not to alter mailboxes or vendor masters until preservation guidance is given. Well-meaning cleanups destroy audit trails.
If evidence was already deleted, document when and why, and recover what backups remain. Candor about gaps is better than silent omissions that surface later.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information only. It is not legal advice and does not guarantee recovery in any matter.