Many jurisdictions require PIs to be licensed, and they may or may not carry firearms depending on local laws. Some are ex-police officers, some are former law enforcement agents, some are ex-spies and some are ex-military, some used to work in a private military company, some are former bodyguards and security guards, although many are not. While PIs may investigate criminal matters, most do not have police powers, and as such they cannot arrest or detain suspects. They are expected to keep detailed notes and to be prepared to testify in court regarding any of their observations on behalf of their clients. Great care is required to remain within the scope of the law, otherwise the investigator may face criminal charges. Irregular hours may also be required when performing surveillance work.^[1]

PIs also engage in a large variety of work that is not usually associated with the industry in the mind of the public. For example, many PIs are involved in process serving, the personal delivery of summons, subpoenas and other legal documents to parties in a legal case. The tracing of absconding debtors can also form a large part of a PI’s work load. Many agencies specialize in a particular field of expertise. For example, some PI agencies deal only in tracing. Others may specialize intechnical surveillance counter-measures (TSCM), sometimes called electronic counter measures (ECM), which is the locating and dealing with unwanted forms of electronic surveillance (for example, a bugged boardroom for industrial espionage purposes). Other PIs, also known as Corporate Investigators, specialise in corporate matters, including anti-fraud work, the protection of intellectual property and trade secrets, anti-piracy, copyright infringement investigations, due diligenceinvestigations and computer forensics work.^[1]

Increasingly, modern PIs prefer to be known as “professional investigators” or Licensed Private Investigators (LPI’s) rather than “private investigators” or “private detectives”. This is a response to the image that is sometimes attributed to the profession and an effort to establish and demonstrate the industry to be a proper and respectable profession.^[1] However, in 2009 a Toronto Star journalist obtained a private investigator’s licence in Ontario with no training, and reported that other Ontarians had done the same.^[2]

As a specialised bureau within CCS, the Financial Investigation Bureau (FIB) conducts enquiries and investigations into matters associated with money laundering, fraud and suspect documents. Members of FIB include the following:

• International Banks
• Financial Institutions
• National Financial Intelligence Units (FIU)
• National Regulatory & Oversight Authorities
• Law Enforcement Agencies

Through CCS, the FIB has bona fides status with the UK Home Office and with ICPO-INTERPOL, the international police organisation.

FIB conducts a number of activities on behalf of its members and government agencies, including:

• Financial Instrument & Document Analysis
• Transaction Pattern & Trend Analysis
• Due Diligence Research and Analysis
• Comprehensive Background Checks
• Specialised Sanctions & Embargo Checks
• International Financial Crime & Fraud Investigations
• Financial Tracking & Asset Recovery
• Anti-money Laundering & Counter-terrorism Financing Activity
• Litigation Support & Expert Witness Testimony/Evidence
• Development of Prevention, Detection & Internal Security Policies, Measures & Procedures

Building on the foundation and expertise of CCS, the FIB accurately meets the needs of today’s financial institutions and government regulators.

FIB is a direct response to the globalisation and increased sophistication of financial instrument crime used by organised criminal elements to commit money laundering, major fraud and terrorism financing.

FIB is structured to offer a prospective member complete flexibility according to their individual needs. For example a bank may require a specialised service in support of their due diligence operations while a government regulator, such as a Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), may need the services of the FIB in another capacity.

For membership information please contact FIB, or complete an online application form.