A corruption probe is an investigation into bribery, embezzlement and other forms of corrupt behaviour. Corruption probes can be handled by organisations or individuals themselves (through internal disciplinary procedures) or by external law enforcement agencies or anti-corruption commissions. In many cases, it is difficult to prove grand corruption and evidence is often gathered piecemeal, much like a jigsaw, and must be put together as each piece is found.
One way to discover corruption is for a member of the public to report it. This can be done through a variety of mechanisms, including whistle-blowing, which is typically facilitated through reporting channels such as telephone hotlines, email or websites. In addition, some States have legislation and incentives to encourage members of the public to self-report corruption, such as penalty mitigation.
Another way to detect corruption is for it to be reported from within an organisation or by the local community. Examples include a vendor receiving a kickback in exchange for government contracts and subsequently doing a poor job of work or a city councilor accepting bribes to vote in favour of certain projects.
When these reports are made it is important to have a clear protocol about which are worth investigating and by whom. Otherwise, limited resources and time may result in the arbitrary selection of only those cases most advantageous to an organization or State. A great example of this is the M-Score initiative in Vietnam, which allows citizens to score their local governments and provide feedback on whether they were asked for a bribe or not.