r/PrivateInvestigators

Can anyone recommend a serious private investigator in Miami or Miami Beach?

This is for a luxury watch theft case. Police report is already filed with Miami Beach PD, but it has been over a week and I still do not even have a detective assigned.

I already hired one PI, but he focused almost entirely on facial recognition and that has gone nowhere. I need someone far more proactive and hands-on.

I need a PI who will actually:

- push businesses/buildings/security staff for footage,

- speak to employees, doormen, bartenders, valet staff, etc,

- help reconstruct the timeline and identify the exit path,

- stay on top of police and help move the case forward,

- understand nightlife-related thefts and organized crews,

- and ideally have experience handling reward-based cases and knowing where/how to publicize them effectively.

I am willing to offer a $10k reward for information leading to identification/capture of the person responsible.

Ideally looking for someone with former law enforcement experience, especially robbery, organized theft, or high-value theft cases.

Please only recommend people you have personally worked with or genuinely vouch for.

I've never done this before - are marriage licenses public? This would be in Virginia or Maryland, and from anytime between 2023-now. It's someone who does not have an online trace (no social media). If anyone can advise, please let me know. I already check The Knot and Zola registries, and couldn't find anything. Thanks in advance

I’m a female online content creator and I’ve been dealing with a stalker/harasser for roughly two years.

This person has repeatedly created new accounts, monitored my activity obsessively, attempted to contact me across platforms, and crossed boundaries that have made me feel unsafe. I’ve documented a large amount of evidence over time and I’m now trying to identify the individual properly and explore legal options to make this stop permanently.

I am looking for:
- A licensed private investigator experienced with online harassment/stalking
- Someone knowledgeable about digital tracing / OSINT
- Advice from people who have dealt with long-term cyberstalking
- Recommendations for professionals who work with creators or public-facing women

I am NOT looking for vigilantes, doxxing, illegal hacking, or public revenge. I want to handle this legally and safely.

For privacy reasons I won’t post identifying details publicly, but I can share evidence privately with trusted professionals or moderators if necessary.

If anyone has recommendations, experience, or resources, please comment or DM me.

Thank you.

I often wonder, but never thought of actually asking here. I know it may depend on precincts, policies, operator, etc, but does anyone have a general idea of what happens?

Like, does the information go to the dispatch computer in case someone calls? If so, for how long? Also, if a civilian calls 911 because of our presence, do they disclose that we have made our presence known? Do they just say something along the lines of, "it's official business"?

Just wondering what y'all think and/or know.

Ok so long story short going back a few months my ex broke up with me. I know she thinks everyone is stalking her because she’s that way. I’m starting to think she may have hired a private investigator to watch and here’s why. My barber is at the end of her street maybe 500-1000 feet but the corner it’s on steps over 50 feet so you can’t see down her street. So I’m careful not to come in to my appointment from her street I park on the back side of the barber shop which is a different block and I come in the back way. For the last two haircuts I’ve gone in no one around when I arrived but when I leave I have had a car sitting where it could watch me after I come out of the barber and go to my truck. This is about a city of 30,000 people. Now where I live is a road 4 cars a day. I had a very similar car it’s an expensive Mercedes sport utility stop out front of my house and snoop. I’m wondering if because she’s always so paranoid she hired an investigator. I checked my car for tracking devices. Could an investigator use plate readers to come over and look for my truck every time I’m in town which I’m rarely in? Do plate readers alert when you are near a place? He didn’t park where he could record where I’m coming from just that I’d be coming to my car. Maybe I’m becoming paranoid but after the car on my road I’m feeling weird about it.

New to PI work so I really appreciate any comments.

Just started with a very small firm and they recommended getting a radio and subscription from 911inet so that I can search for information on people and run license plates.

My question is, how do the services provided by 911inet compare to web based tools like irbsearch and idiCore? Irb and idi let me use an api to query their database and will charge significantly less for their services. Am I wrong in assuming they have access to the same data as 911inet? Maybe the data sources are different and its more of a complimentary thing vs a 1 to 1 match? Im also aware that these web tools need to be purchased by an agency and not an individual. My employer has said that they are open to purchasing them if I can make a case for it.

If anyone has any experience with these or similar tools and services please let me know how they compare and what has worked for you. Im hesitant to fork over a few hundred bucks for a radio and more money for a costly monthly subscription if I dont have to. I dont have a lot of work at the moment so the cost just seems a little high. I guess you gotta spend money to make money or something but my funds are limited so I want to be smart about it.

Edit: I am individually licensed and working for a licensed agency.

I am about to start up on my own. How do you charge out for incidentals? A subject goes into a restaurant and you have to follow, when there you have to order something to blend in.

How do you charge this to your client? Same with a few beers at a pub to blend in, or coffee at a coffee shop as you have to blend in to continue with the surveillance.

Does it depend on the amount of the item purchased or do you just charge a flat rate per day for surveillance?

Do you also charge per km when on surveillance or is it based on a radius from your office. So much for 50km radius and then so much for 50 to 100km etc.

Thanks in advance for all the guidance. I appreciate you. Any charging tip would be appreciated. Qld Australia.

Im looking to locate the addresses of 7 individuals to serve a statement of claim. I have names, birthdays and general locations. I would think it wouldn't be that difficult as they are all somewhat "high profile" people. I've tried a couple online skip tracing services but they all say I need to be a part of a firm to gain access to their service. Any advice on how to go about this would be greatly appreciated.

Hi everyone. I’m based in NY and have twelve years of law enforcement experience, four of those years has been in financial investigations - which is what I’m currently doing.

I’m 35 years old , married with kids and with the cost of living pretty much going up almost everywhere, I’ve come to the realization that it would be smart to start up a side business. Cost of living aside, I’ve always wanted to create my own business.

As part of my position , I’m a forensic accountant but I also conduct interviews, surveillance, utilize Accurint, ejustice,etc. I’m considering obtaining my PI license. I’ve been looking for part time work at local area PI firms but my question is.. what is really involved in establishing your own business ? Also, due to the nature of my work, PI work is not off limits but certain insurance type cases could be a conflict of interest with my job. Therefore, I was considering background check/investigation work for employers , landlord/tenant, nanny hiring etc. How realistic is this idea for a side business ?

On the other hand , I have my accounting skill set- I prepare taxes and looking to obtain my enrolled agent certification .. part of me thinks maybe to just stick with that instead .. any thoughts ? I really appreciate it!

Hello. To be brief, I am a PI (and QM) licensed in CA. I was working for another company as I don't have the funds to start my own business. A job opportunity came along that pays substantially better. The title was Intelligence Analyst for a company that works with vehicles. I was chosen to assist investigating hit and runs and told I was considered an "Investigative Analyst". My questions are:

• Can I use my license for proprietary database access to investigate possible criminal activity, such as Logan for DMV? (keeping the DPPA in mind of course)
• Do I need to file a branch extension with the BSIS as my license is tied to a different city?
• Do I still need general liability insurance if I can work under my license?
• Has anybody been or worked with a licensed PI who was using their license in a different role?
• Can I still call myself a PI when speaking with law enforcement if I was not hired as one or working in that capacity?

I get the feeling they want a licensed PI on the payroll without the normal cost of one. I just want to investigate with all the tools I'm used to, in the best way I can, without opening myself up to liability or putting my license in jeopardy. I was able to locate the owner of the vehicle solely with free OSINT work but it would be a boost if I had other databases as well. Does anybody have any experience with this? (I have also emailed the BSIS all of these questions and waiting to hear back)