{{Short description|Swiss businessman (born 1946)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Infobox person | image = | image_size = | name = Mario Brero | caption = | birth_name = Mario Brero | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1946|03|29}} | birth_place = | death_date = | death_place = | death_cause = | restingplace = | education = | alma mater = | occupation = Private detective | known for = | spouse = | parents = | relatives = | website = https://www.alpservices.com/ http://www.diligence.ch/ http://cadex.biz }} '''Mario Brero''' (born March 29, 1946) is an Italian<ref name=nouve>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nouvelobs.com/rue89/rue89-police-justice/20140517.RUE3887/carrure-de-montagne-et-souplesse-de-felin-le-curieux-detective-d-areva.html|title=Carrure de montagne et souplesse de félin : le curieux détective d'Areva|date=May 16, 2014|website=L'Obs}}</ref> private detective heading five companies registered in Geneva, Switzerland. In 1989 he founded ''Alp Services SA'', a private investigation business, focusing on banks, law firms and wealthy clients with "advice, support, strategic guidance, diplomatic intermediation and organisation in crisis management and image reputation" and with "national and international investigations and inquiries, notably commercial and financial, in combating money laundering, counterfeiting, parallel markets, economic and/or computer crime; surveillance and protection of individuals and companies, crisis and risk management, asset searches, due diligence, auditing.
Presented by the press as "detective<ref name="heidi.news">{{Cite web |title=EXCLUSIF - A Genève, le roi des détectives piégé par un hackeur - Heidi.news |url=https://www.heidi.news/solutions/exclusif-a-geneve-le-roi-des-detectives-piege-par-un-hackeur |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=www.heidi.news |language=fr}}</ref>" or even "spy<ref>{{Cite news |date=2014-05-16 |title=Un "espion" suisse jugé à Paris - Le Temps |language=fr |url=https://www.letemps.ch/suisse/un-espion-suisse-juge-paris |access-date=2023-07-27 |issn=1423-3967}}</ref>", he became notorious through revelations about the cases his companies had handled and his controversial or even illegal methods. After his methods became public and he was sentenced by a French court in 2014, Alp services focused on reputation management by spreading negative information for his clients from the former Soviet Union, VIPs from small African states, and most notably the UAE, such that ''Le Monde'' called it a "destabilization and surveillance company".
In 2021, his firm was hacked and the results published in 2023 as Abu Dhabi Secrets, how Alp Services was contracted by the UAE government to spy on citizens of 18 countries in Europe and beyond. Alp Services sent the names of more than 1000 individuals and 400 organizations in 18 European countries to the UAE intelligence services, labelling them as part of the Muslim Brotherhood network. In 2021, Brero was also convicted of coercion.
==Early life and education== Mario Brero was born on March 29, 1946. He has represented himself as a graduate of the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. EPFL archives solely mention his enrollment to a specialized mathematics class between 1967 and 1968, where he only studied for one semester.<ref name="heidi">{{Cite web |last=Antoine Harari Clément Fayol |date=2023-07-07 |title=A Genève, les méthodes du "roi des détectives" mises à nu [Exclusif] - Heidi.news |url=https://www.heidi.news/explorations/abu-dhabi-secrets-un-detective-genevois-au-service-des-emirats/a-geneve-les-methodes-du-roi-des-detectives-mises-a-nu-exclusif |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=www.heidi.news |language=fr}}</ref><ref name="Kirkpatrick">{{Cite magazine |last=Kirkpatrick |first=David D. |date=2023-03-27 |title=The Dirty Secrets of a Smear Campaign |language=en-US |magazine=The New Yorker |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/04/03/the-dirty-secrets-of-a-smear-campaign |access-date=2023-07-27 |issn=0028-792X}}</ref>
==Early career== In 1986, Brero exported computers and semiconductor manufacturing equipment from the United States to the Eastern Bloc through Switzerland. In 1988, The US government investigated Brero and his company Samata SA and concluded that Brero had participated in the scheme to re-export computers and semiconductor manufacturing equipment.<ref name="Kirkpatrick"/> According to the Federal register, these were national security goods under a privileged export ban by the US Bureau of Export Administration.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Archives of US Federal Register|date=1988-06-20 |publisher=Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Service, General Services Administration |language=en |url=https://archives.federalregister.gov/issue_slice/1988/5/2/15581-15587.pdf}}</ref> Brero denied the charges, but agreed to stop the business following revocation of his distribution licenses.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Federal Register, Volume 60 Issue 127 (Monday, July 3, 1995) |url=https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-1995-07-03/html/95-16220.htm |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=www.govinfo.gov}}</ref>
==Alp Services== In 1989, influenced by Jules Kroll's international corporate-investigation business, he founded Alp Services in Geneva, according to ''Le Monde'' initially as a subcontractor for Kroll, focusing on banks, law firms and wealthy clients.<ref name="lemonde">{{Cite news |last=Agathe Duparc |date=2012-01-21 |title=Mario Brero, profession : "intelligence économique" |language=fr |work=Le Monde.fr |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/economie/article/2012/01/21/mario-brero-profession-intelligence-economique_1632745_3234.html |access-date=2023-07-19}}</ref>
In 2011, Anne Lauvergeon, the former head of the mining division at the French nuclear group Areva, received an anonymous report containing information on UraMin, a company acquired by Areva,<ref name="lefigaro.fr">{{Cite web |date=2013-10-01 |title=Areva : pourquoi le mari d'Anne Lauvergeon aurait été espionné |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/actualite-france/2013/10/01/01016-20131001ARTFIG00330-areva-pourquoi-le-mari-d-anne-lauvergeon-aurait-ete-espionne.php |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=LEFIGARO |language=fr}}</ref> information about Lauvergeon's husband Oliver Fric, their banking details, information about their travel in Geneva and a list of telephone numbers they had called. This document came from Alp Services.<ref name="lefigaro.fr"/> In December 2011, Lauvergon filed a complaint against Brero for illegal wiretapping.<ref name="à 17h42">{{Cite web |last=à 17h42 |first=Par Le 21 mai 2012 |date=2012-05-21 |title=Plainte d'Anne Lauvergeon pour atteinte à la vie privée : l'enquête s'accélère |url=https://www.leparisien.fr/faits-divers/plainte-d-anne-lauvergeon-pour-atteinte-a-la-vie-privee-l-enquete-s-accelere-21-05-2012-2009798.php |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=leparisien.fr |language=fr-FR}}</ref> After investigation, the public prosecutor's office decided to bring Brero before the criminal court of Paris for "complicity of violation of professional secrecy" and "concealment of violation of professional secrecy" to the detriment of Olivier Fric.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lazard |first=Violette |title=Opération Lauvergeon : l’audition des espions |url=https://www.liberation.fr/societe/2012/11/19/operation-lauvergeon-l-audition-des-espions_861648/ |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=Libération |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-11-20 |title=L'enquête pour espionnage chez Areva touche à sa fin |url=https://www.nouvelobs.com/justice/20121120.OBS9966/l-enquete-pour-espionnage-chez-areva-touche-a-sa-fin.html |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=L'Obs |language=fr}}</ref> The trial was held in 2014. During his hearing Brero revealed he had paid phone-company employees to disclose her and her husbands call information.<ref name="à 17h42"/> Brero was convicted but only received a suspended sentence.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2013-06-18 |title=Espionnage chez Areva : l'ex-bras droit d'Anne Lauvergeon sera jugé |language=fr |work=Le Monde.fr |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2013/06/18/espionnage-chez-areva-l-ex-bras-droit-d-anne-lauvergeon-sera-juge_3432403_3224.html |access-date=2023-07-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-05-16 |title=Carrure de montagne et souplesse de félin : le curieux détective d'Areva |url=https://www.nouvelobs.com/rue89/rue89-police-justice/20140517.RUE3887/carrure-de-montagne-et-souplesse-de-felin-le-curieux-detective-d-areva.html |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=L'Obs |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=2016-03-30 |title=Areva : qui est Olivier Fric, le mari gênant d'Anne Lauvergeon ? |url=https://www.vanityfair.fr/pouvoir/politique/articles/areva-anne-lauvergeon-olivier-fric-un-mari-genant/27208 |access-date=2023-07-27 |magazine=Vanity Fair |language=fr-FR}}</ref>
Despite not receiving a substantial judgement, Brero's actions drove away many above-board firms and increasing the number of less-scrupulous clients: oligarchs from the former Soviet Union, other billionaires from Eastern Europe, VIPs from small African states like Gabon, and the Middle East. Alp Services under Brero started focusing on spreading negative information, which he called "offensive viral communication campaigns". For example, in 2012 Brero worked for Prince Albert of Monaco to smear Robert Eringer, former head of Monegasque intelligence services. This was accomplished by having false information about Eringer added to his Wikipedia entry sourced to a blog from a fake individual claiming to be an expert in psychology.<ref name=heidi/> Brero also hired hackers to get confidential banking information, and used honey traps, during his operations. From 2015 to 2017, Alp Services's fees were nearly 6 million Swiss francs.<ref name=Kirkpatrick /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-12-15 |title=A war of detectives - Heidi.news |url=https://www.heidi.news/explorations/the-fox-and-the-oligarch-the-incredible-bouvier-vs-rybolovlev-case/a-war-of-detectives |access-date=2024-07-31 |website=www.heidi.news |language=fr-CH}}</ref>
In 2014, following a meeting between Brero and Gennady Timchenko, the Russian businessman and billionaire behind the trading company Gunvor, Alp Services wrote a "strictly confidential" report on the signing of contracts between Gunvor and Congo, leading to the prosecution of several Gunvor employees for corruption.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gunvor in Congo |url=https://www.publiceye.ch/fileadmin/doc/Rohstoffe/2017_PublicEye_Gunvor_in_Congo_Report.pdf}}</ref>
In 2021, Alp Services was hacked, and an investigation of the leaked data was published in early 2023 by the European Investigative Collaborations under the name "Abu Dhabi Secrets".<ref>{{Cite news |last= Rémi Dupré |date=2023-03-31 |title=Une lobbyiste engagée par le Qatar en France dépose plainte contre les Emirats arabes unis pour espionnage |language=fr |work=Le Monde.fr |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2023/03/31/la-lobbyiste-en-chef-du-qatar-en-france-depose-plainte-pour-espionnage-contre-les-emirats-arabes-unis_6167779_3210.html |access-date=2023-07-20}}</ref>
=== Abu Dhabi Secrets === {{main article|Abu Dhabi Secrets}} In March 2023, the Abu Dhabi Secrets, two major investigations into the missions conducted by Alp Services SA, were published in the French, American, Suisse, German, Spanish and Dutch press. According to Médiapart, Brero's companies have "notably carried out private intelligence missions on behalf of the Emirati intelligence services" and have also "disseminated information - under false identities on the Internet - with the aim of harming adversaries of the Emirates, mainly Qatar and the Muslim Brotherhood."<ref name="Rouget">{{Cite web |last=Rouget |first=Yann Philippin, Antton |title=Une fuite de données révèle l'ingérence des Émirats en France |url=https://www.mediapart.fr/journal/france/010323/une-fuite-de-donnees-revele-l-ingerence-des-emirats-en-france |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=Mediapart |language=fr}}</ref>
Brero provided documents and photos in the context of a trivial labor dispute that revealed information about Alp Services' business providers and clients, including a secret Emirati agent. In March 2023, his name was made public by the American journalist and Pulitzer Prize winner David D. Kirkpatrick for The New Yorker - as Matar Humaid al-Neyadi and his superior Ali Saeed al-Neyadi.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Executive bios of prominent people and decision makers in Arabia |url=https://dhow.com/executive-bios/ |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=Dhow Net |language=en-US}}</ref> It was possible to identify the two Emirati secret service agents because of the photos taken discreetly by Brero during meetings with his clients.<ref name="Kirkpatrick"/>
Among Brero's targets, journalists mention Sihem Souid<ref name="Rouget"/> - former policewoman and socialist ministerial advisor, now a communicator and lobbyist for Qatar in France - whose Paris house was photographed by Brero's agents, just before it was broken into; the reputation and business intelligence consultancy Avisa Partners;<ref name="Rouget"/> Hazim Nada and his oil trading company Lord Energy SA; the association Islamic Relief Worldwide; the Tunisian politician Kamel Jendoubi.
Former journalist Roland Jacquard, a self-professed expert on extremism of European Muslims passed himself off in his communications with the Emirati secret services as an adviser to Emmanuel Macron,<ref name="mediapart">{{Cite web|url=https://www.mediapart.fr/journal/france/010323/une-fuite-de-donnees-revele-l-ingerence-des-emirats-en-france|title=Une fuite de données révèle l'ingérence des Émirats en France|first=Yann Philippin, Antton|last=Rouget|website=Mediapart}}</ref> recommended to the Emirati secret service to hire Brero in their competition with Qatar and the Muslim Brotherhood. When in August, 2017, Brero persuaded the Emiratis to hire him to deliver the "power of dark PR" with "an initial four-to-six-month budget of a million and a half euros", Jacquard received his commission. Brero offered to attack Tariq Ramadan, to smear Youssef Nadas son Hazim Nada, as well as the Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organization. Alp employees created damning Wikipedia entries and lobbied World-Check about Nada's alleged "ties to terrorism" eventually ruining his business. Brero recruited mainstream journalists Ian Hamel, Louis de Raguenel, and scholars like Lorenzo Vidino, paying the latter €13,000 . In 2019, Brero attacked Islamic Relief Worldwide by feeding information to Andrew Norfolk, of the London ''Times'', accusing one member Heshmat Khalifa to be a terrorist, so eventually the German government stopped working with Islamic Relief. Targets also included Sihem Souid, a public-relations consultant for Qatar and Kamel Jendoubi, a human-rights advocate.<ref name=Kirkpatrick /> Between 2017 and 2021, Alp Services collected personal data on more than one thousand people in Switzerland and Europe, charging the Emirati secret services nearly six million euros for the information.<ref name="heidi2">{{Cite web |last=Antoine Harari Clément Fayol |date=2023-07-10 |title=Comment une agence à Genève a fiché un millier de personnes pour les services secrets émiratis - Heidi.news |url=https://www.heidi.news/explorations/abu-dhabi-secrets-un-detective-genevois-au-service-des-emirats/comment-une-agence-a-geneve-a-fiche-un-millier-de-personnes-pour-les-services-secrets-emiratis |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=www.heidi.news |language=fr}}</ref>
Brero's methods within the framework of his mandate included infiltration, honey trapping, access to the bank and telephone records of his targets by impersonating them, reconnaissance and surveillance, publication of false press articles on anonymous blogs and the use of false identities to relay the content of these publications to the traditional press. The revelations of The New Yorker and Médiapart also concern the way Brero treats his own clients: recordings of sensitive telephone conversations, photos taken secretly and presented to the courts spontaneously, provision of email accounts with the possibility to consult them without the clients' consent.<ref name="Kirkpatrick"/><ref name="Rouget"/>
=== The Bouvier Affair === Mario Brero and his companies were hired by Yves Bouvier to help him win a series of legal battles related to the Bouvier Affair, that began in January 2015. The Russian oligarch accused Bouvier of defrauding him of almost one billion Swiss francs when he bought 38 paintings for a total of 2 billion euros.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Une décision de justice relance l'affaire Bouvier-Rybolovlev - Heidi.news |url=https://www.heidi.news/articles/une-decision-de-justice-relance-l-affaire-bouvier-rybolovlev |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=www.heidi.news |language=fr}}</ref>
According to Heidi.news,<ref>{{Cite web |title=La guerre des détectives - Heidi.news |url=https://www.heidi.news/explorations/le-renard-et-l-oligarque/entre-bouvier-et-rybolovlev-la-guerre-des-detectives |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=www.heidi.news |language=fr}}</ref> Rybolovlev's camp identified Brero and Alp Services as the driving force behind Bouvier's defence. Over the months, a series of lawsuits were filed against the detective in Geneva, Monaco, Nice and Paris. Some of them led to Mario Brero's conviction, as in July 2015 in Geneva, for slander. The attachments of the messages from Mario Brero's Protonmail account hacked in 2021 contained a recorded conversation between Brero and his lawyers concerning the possibility of selling the research carried out on behalf of Bouvier to the opposing camp of Rybolovlev.<ref name="heidi.news"/>
=== The Affair in Spain: ex-mistress of Juan Carlos I === A leak of information from Alp Services, revealed in 2021 by Heidi.news, showed that Mario Brero instigated press articles designed to ruin the reputation of Geneva prosecutor Yves Bertossa at the request of Corinna Larsen, known to have been the mistress of Spanish King Juan Carlos I.<ref name="heidi.news"/>
According to El Pais <ref name="Irujo">{{Cite web |last=Irujo |first=José María |date=2022-04-24 |title=Un detective investigó a 14 amigos del rey emérito por encargo de Corinna Larsen |url=https://elpais.com/espana/2022-04-24/un-detective-investigo-a-14-amigos-del-rey-emerito-por-encargo-de-corinna-larsen.html |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=El País |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Irujo |first=José María |date=2022-07-04 |title=Corinna Larsen blindó su casa, ordenadores y teléfonos por temor a ser espiada por el CNI |url=https://elpais.com/espana/2022-07-04/corinna-larsen-blindo-su-casa-ordenadores-y-telefonos-por-temor-a-ser-espiada-por-el-cni.html |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=El País |language=es}}</ref> and The Times,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Madrid |first=Charlie Devereux |date=2023-07-27 |title=Ex-lover of Juan Carlos feared Spanish agents were spying on her |newspaper=The Times |language=en |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/ex-lover-of-juan-carlos-feared-spanish-were-spying-on-her-zqn22knml |access-date=2023-07-27 |issn=0140-0460}}</ref> Larsen signed the contract with Alp Services shortly after Swiss prosecutor Bertossa charged her in 2018 with an alleged money laundering crime. The case concerns the €65 million donation Larsen received in 2012 from Spain's King Juan Carlos I, who in turn had received it in 2008 from Saudi Arabia's Ministry of finance.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-04-10 |title=Corinna Larsen contrató a una agencia de detectives para "arruinar" la reputación del fiscal suizo que la investiga {{!}} Espa |url=https://informacion.center/corinna-larsen-contrato-a-una-agencia-de-detectives-para-arruinar-la-reputacion-del-fiscal-suizo-que-la-investiga-espana/ |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=Información Center |language=en-US}}</ref>
Larsen has also commissioned Brero to carry out an in-depth investigation into 14 businessmen who were friends or 'front men' of former Spanish King Juan Carlos I.<ref name="Irujo"/>
== Judicial proceedings == Following the leaks and subsequent media coverage, authorities in Switzerland and France have initiated investigations against Mario Brero and Alp Services. These investigations aim to address the potential legal violations and ethical breaches involved in the firm's operations.<ref>{{cite web |title=Espionnage, blanchiment: le roi des détectives genevois visé par la justice suisse et française |url=https://www.heidi.news/monde/espionnage-blanchiment-le-roi-des-detectives-genevois-vise-par-la-justice-suisse-et-francaise |website=Heidi News |access-date=20 May 2024}}</ref>
According to information from Agence France-Presse (AFP), Mediapart, and Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS), French and Swiss prosecutors have launched three judicial investigations targeting Alp Services SA and its directors, Mario Brero and Muriel Cavin. They are suspected of conducting covert operations in Europe for the secret services of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).<ref>{{Cite news |title=Abu Dhabi Secrets: Les barbouzes des Émirats visés par les justices française et suisse |url=https://www.mediapart.fr/journal/international/150424/abu-dhabi-secrets-les-barbouzes-des-emirats-vises-par-les-justices-francaise-et-suisse |website=Mediapart |date=April 15, 2024 }}</ref>
The journalist, author, and director, Rokhaya Diallo, filed a complaint for “illicit collection, processing and disclosure of personal data” after she was associated with the Muslim Brotherhood.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Plus de 200 Français ont été fichés pour le compte des services secrets des Émirats arabes unis |url=https://www.mediapart.fr/journal/international/070723/plus-de-200-francais-ont-ete-fiches-pour-le-compte-des-services-secrets-des-emirats-arabes-unis |website=Mediapart |date=July 7, 2023 }}</ref> In 2023, following Diallo’s complaint, the Paris prosecutor’s office opened a preliminary investigation targeting Alp Services SA.
Following the Abu Dhabi Secrets, in December 2023, the Swiss Federal Prosecutor's Office (MPC) brought together several open procedures into a single investigation, suspecting Mario Brero and his associate Muriel Cavin of committing six crimes. The investigation revealed that an Emirati research center, Al Ariaf, was paying Alp Services SA. In addition, Brero and Cavin also had fictitious employment contracts with Al Ariaf.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Abu Dhabi Secrets: Les barbouzes des Émirats visés par les justices française et suisse |url=https://www.mediapart.fr/journal/international/150424/abu-dhabi-secrets-les-barbouzes-des-emirats-vises-par-les-justices-francaise-et-suisse |website=Mediapart |date=April 15, 2024 }}</ref>
Another legal complaint against Alp Services was filed in Washington by Farid Hafez.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Abu Dhabi Secrets: Les barbouzes des Émirats visés par les justices française et suisse |url=https://www.mediapart.fr/journal/international/150424/abu-dhabi-secrets-les-barbouzes-des-emirats-vises-par-les-justices-francaise-et-suisse |website=Mediapart |date=April 15, 2024 }}</ref> In October 2023, Zakia Khattabi, the Belgian Minister for Climate and the Environment, filed a complaint for slander and libel against Alp Services.<ref>{{Cite news |title=La justice fédérale enquête sur l'officine genevoise Alp Services |url=https://www.rts.ch/info/regions/geneve/2024/article/la-justice-federale-enquete-sur-l-officine-genevoise-alp-services-28469721.html |website=RTS |date=2024 }}</ref>
According to The New Yorker, on January 24, 2024, Hazim Nada, an American citizen, filed a lawsuit against Mario Brero, Muriel Cavin, and the United Arab Emirates in the U.S. district court in Washington, D.C. The complaint notes that the rulers of the United Arab Emirates conducted their campaign by hiring Alp Services to crush his company, Lord Energy, for commercial reasons. Alleging a conspiracy to commit fraud, to spread false and derogatory information about Lord Energy, and to manipulate markets, the suit seeks $2.7 billion in damages and compensation.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Can an American Hold the United Arab Emirates Responsible for a Smear Campaign? |url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/can-an-american-hold-the-united-arab-emirates-responsible-for-a-smear-campaign |website=The New Yorker |date=January 24, 2024 }}</ref>
According to Le Temps, Alp Services SA has never declared its mandates to the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs since the Federal Act on Private Security Services Provided Abroad (PSSA) came into effect. Tariq Ramadan filed a complaint in July 2023, claiming he was surveilled and defamed. In September 2023, the Export Controls and Private Security Services Section (ECPS) led by Martina Gasser reported Alp Services SA to the federal prosecutor. The Money Laundering Reporting Office also flagged the agency. A federal investigation was opened for violations of the LPSP and potential espionage. The investigation focuses on a breach of the obligation to declare activities and collaborate with the DFAE. Additional charges involve acts carried out unlawfully on behalf of a foreign state and espionage, punishable under the Swiss Penal Code. Those targeted include Mario Brero, Muriel Cavin, Alp Services SA, and Diligence Ltd. The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (MPC) confirms that four procedures are ongoing.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-02-10 |title=En Suisse, les espions privés sont – un peu – mieux encadrés - Le Temps |url=https://www.letemps.ch/suisse/en-suisse-les-espions-prives-sont-un-peu-mieux-encadres?srsltid=AfmBOoq7JcaH5wNgtp7vHmqVCp3_InaNvrPubkf4AtJ8bcjsgSVSx4SN |access-date=2025-03-29 |language=fr |issn=1423-3967}}</ref>
== Corporate culture at Mario Brero's companies== According to ''The New Yorker'', Brero cultivates an appealing work environment, but treats past employees abjectly.<ref name="Rouget"/> A former employee also stated that Brero "wanted to have files on everyone".<ref name=heidi/> In 2021, Brero was convicted by the Switzerland's Criminal Court of coercing a departing employee into signing a document. The victim stated that spyware existed on all the employees' workstations.<ref name="Rouget"/>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{Cite web |title=ALP Services |url=https://www.alpservices.com/ |access-date=2023-07-19 |website=www.alpservices.com}} *[https://eic.network/projects/abu-dhabi-secrets.html Abu Dhabi Secrets] {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Brero, Mario}} Category:Living people Category:Businesspeople from Geneva Category:1946 births Category:Reputation management companies