How to advise one who is suspected of wrongdoing

Question:
We accused a brother of ours in Allah of some forbidden acts. To verify this, we gathered once at a house with some of our brothers in Allah. It happened that the man we considered upright came, but we had heard from some people that he was accused of some forbidden acts. When he came to us, we began to talk about some of these forbidden acts, and then we spoke with him to test whether he was affected by this talk or not. We used some metaphors and euphemisms, and we saw that his face changed somewhat. After that, he did not come to us again. Our intention was to verify the attribution of these things to him, and at the same time to advise him. However, it seems he did not accept our words because we used these metaphors and euphemisms, and the advice was given in the hearing of the gathering that included us. Are we wrong or right in this method of enjoining good and forbidding evil? Guide us, may Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
In any case, it is obligatory upon the people of knowledge, and upon the brothers among themselves, to advise one another and cooperate in righteousness and piety. If it is possible for a person to be advised in private, as long as he has not publicly announced [his sins], he should be advised in private, and some of his brothers should contact him in private without it becoming public among the people. Because when he heard the talk, he thought he was the target; therefore, he changed.

The intended meaning : In a case like this, as long as the man has not publicly announced the sins, and they have not become apparent from him, his advice should be in secret between you and him, so that he does not think he is accused among the people, and that he is known for wrongdoing among the people, while he has not done it, nor announced it, nor made it apparent. But it is only an accusation and a suspicion, which may be a bad suspicion. The believer should, in such matters, have his advice be secret between him and his brother, perhaps Allah will benefit him through it, for secret advice has a great effect.
As for when the wrongdoing is made apparent, it is not permissible to rebuke him publicly. If he is known for this wrongdoing, such as being late for the prayers, or consuming intoxicants openly, shaving his beard—shaving the beard is a known and apparent matter—and the like of that, the apparent thing is rebuked openly. As for what is suspected by suspicion, it should be between you and him, and you should use good expressions: "I fear such and such," or "It has reached me such and such." You say to him the appropriate expressions. You should tell him, if you are doing this thing, to stop it, and warn him, "O my brother, fear your Lord and be mindful of Him," and the like of this speech that requires care, and perhaps it will have a great effect on him, because you advised him in secret and were alone with him, and visited him in his place or in a private place, hoping that Allah will benefit through it. As for making it public without the sins being apparent, and without the innovations being apparent, this is feared to lead to a response that is not appropriate, meaning the opposite is feared.