Available for Engagements

Marcus J.
Hartley

Forensic Data Analyst  ·  Expert Witness  ·  Litigation Support

Transforming complex financial data into clear, compelling evidence. With over 14 years at the intersection of data science and the law, I deliver analysis that withstands the rigour of courtroom scrutiny.

0
Years Experience
0
Cases Resolved
R2.4B+
Assets Traced
Client Photo Here
// PROFILE
MJH — FDA
Primary Cert.
CFE · CISA · ACFE

Precision at the
Intersection of Law & Data

My practice centres on delivering defensible, court-ready forensic analysis for commercial disputes, regulatory investigations, and fraud examinations across multiple jurisdictions.

  • 🔍

    Financial Fraud Detection

    Systematic identification of fraudulent transactions using advanced statistical modelling, Benford's Law analysis, and pattern recognition across multi-terabyte datasets.

  • ⚖️

    Litigation Support & Expert Testimony

    Preparation and delivery of expert witness reports conforming to court standards. Experience in High Court, Commercial Court, and arbitration tribunals.

  • 💼

    Asset Tracing & Recovery

    Tracing misappropriated funds through complex corporate structures, offshore accounts, and cryptocurrency trails using advanced chain-of-custody methodologies.

  • 📊

    Damages Quantification

    Rigorous economic modelling to quantify financial losses, lost profits, and unjust enrichment across commercial, IP, and employment disputes.

Tools & Methodologies

Selected Engagements

A selection of significant matters handled, demonstrating the depth and breadth of forensic analytical capability. Case details are anonymised to protect confidentiality.

01 / 06
Financial Fraud

Operation Meridian — Multi-Year Revenue Skimming Scheme

Engaged by a JSE-listed retailer to investigate a suspected internal fraud spanning seven years. Analysed over 4.2 million transactions across 38 subsidiaries.

Key Result
R38.7M in fraudulent disbursements identified; three perpetrators successfully prosecuted. Full restitution achieved.
SQL ACL Analytics Python Benford's Law
02 / 06
Asset Tracing

Cross-Border Asset Recovery — Shell Company Network

Commissioned by liquidators to trace assets misappropriated through a network of 22 shell companies across four jurisdictions including Mauritius and the BVI.

Key Result
R124M in assets frozen via court orders. Provided expert report admitted in High Court proceedings.
Power BI Network Analysis R Studio
03 / 06
Litigation Support

Damages Quantification — Breach of Contract Dispute

Retained as an independent expert to quantify lost profits arising from a long-term supply agreement breach in the mining sector. Developed a but-for revenue model.

Key Result
Damages calculated at R67.2M. Expert testimony contributed to full award in favour of the claimant at arbitration.
Monte Carlo Excel VBA Tableau
04 / 06
Regulatory Investigation

FSCA Investigation — Insider Trading Detection

Retained by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority to analyse suspicious trading patterns ahead of a material corporate announcement. Correlated trade data with communications records.

Key Result
Statistical proof of information advantage identified. Led to successful enforcement action and R4.1M in penalties imposed.
Python Statistical Analysis Bloomberg Data
05 / 06
Insolvency

Business Rescue — Fraudulent Preference Analysis

Appointed by business rescue practitioners to identify voidable transactions and fraudulent preferences in the 24 months preceding insolvency of a major hospitality group.

Key Result
R18.9M in voidable transactions identified. Analysis supported successful recovery action under the Companies Act.
ACL SQL Server Timeline Analysis
06 / 06
Cyber Forensics

Data Exfiltration Investigation — Trade Secret Theft

Engaged by an engineering firm following departure of senior employees to a competitor. Combined digital forensics with financial analysis to quantify the IP theft damage.

Key Result
12GB of exfiltrated data catalogued and valued. Damages claim of R22M supported in settlement negotiations.
EnCase Cellebrite Log Analysis
R2.4B+
Total Assets Traced
96%
Successful Outcomes
12
Expert Reports Admitted
4
Jurisdictions Practised

Data-Driven Track Record

A quantitative overview of practice outcomes, engagement types, and financial impact across 14 years of forensic engagements.

Engagement Distribution
Case Types by Volume
Annual Recoveries
Assets Recovered (R millions)
Success Rate Trend
Successful Outcomes vs Total Engagements
Value Distribution
Case Value Tiers

Qualifications & Certifications

Professional accreditations maintaining the highest standards of forensic practice, ethics, and continuing professional development.

ACFE · Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)
Awarded 2012 · Renewed Annually
The globally recognised gold standard in fraud examination, covering financial transactions, law, investigation, and fraud prevention.
Active & Current
ISACA · Information Systems Audit & Control Assoc.
Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
Awarded 2015 · CPE Maintained
Demonstrates expertise in information systems audit, control, and assurance — critical for digital forensics and cyber investigations.
Active & Current
SAICA · South African Institute of Chartered Accountants
Chartered Accountant CA(SA)
Awarded 2010 · Good Standing
Foundation qualification providing deep financial accounting expertise underpinning all forensic financial analysis engagements.
Active & Current
CIPP · Certified Institute of Professional Investigators
Certified Professional Investigator (CPI)
Awarded 2016
Certification in professional investigative technique including surveillance, interviewing, evidence handling, and report preparation.
Active & Current
University of Cape Town — Faculty of Law
LLM in Commercial Law (cum laude)
Graduated 2018
Advanced legal qualification with focus on commercial disputes, insolvency law, and the use of expert evidence in civil litigation.
Qualification Held
CFA Institute
Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) — Level III
Completed 2020
Rigorous qualification in investment analysis, portfolio management, and financial modelling, directly applicable to damages quantification.
Active & Current

Career Trajectory

A progressive career built on rigorous analytical foundations, advancing from auditing through to independent forensic practice.

2019 — Present
Independent Forensic Data Analyst
Marcus J. Hartley Forensic Consulting  ·  Johannesburg, SA
Sole practitioner engaged by law firms, corporates, regulatory bodies, and insolvency practitioners. Specialist areas: financial fraud examination, asset tracing, damages quantification, and expert witness testimony in High Court and commercial arbitration proceedings.
Expert Witness High Court FSCA Financial Fraud
2014 — 2019
Senior Forensic Manager
Deloitte Forensic  ·  Johannesburg, SA
Led multi-disciplinary forensic teams on complex investigations for JSE-listed companies, state-owned entities, and government departments. Managed engagements up to R500M in disputed value. Developed proprietary transaction-monitoring scripts used firm-wide. Supervised and mentored a team of 12 forensic analysts.
Team Leadership SOEs Procurement Fraud ACL
2010 — 2014
Forensic Analyst
KPMG Forensic  ·  Cape Town, SA
Conducted forensic investigations across the banking, retail, and mining sectors. Developed expertise in data analytics, interviewing, and evidence collection. Authored over 40 forensic reports in support of disciplinary and criminal proceedings.
Banking Sector Mining Report Writing
2007 — 2010
Trainee Accountant (Articles)
Grant Thornton  ·  Cape Town, SA
Completed three-year SAICA training contract with a focus on external audit of financial services and retail clients. Developed foundational skills in financial analysis, risk assessment, and internal controls evaluation.
External Audit IFRS Risk Assessment

Engage My Services

Whether you need expert witness support, a discrete forensic investigation, or a damages quantification report, I welcome enquiries from legal practitioners, corporate counsel, and insolvency professionals.

📍
Office Location
Sandton, Johannesburg
Gauteng, South Africa
📞
Direct Line
+27 (11) 555 0142
✉️
Email
marcus@hartleyforensic.co.za
🕐
Response Time
Within 24 hours
Urgent matters accommodated
Confidentiality

All enquiries are treated with strict confidentiality. NDAs are available upon request prior to any substantive discussion.