Cody L. Gear and Associates is dedicated to providing you the absolute best in private investigations. Understanding that Costa Rica is an area that is ripe with relocated “con artist” from the United States, as well as a paradise for infidelity,it is a good idea that you hire an investigator that will deliver professional and reliable results.
What should I look for in a private investigator?
First, make sure that the investigator you are speaking with has an office and business telephone. Many of the investigators listed on the web are not in Costa Rica and merely “farm out” the work to locals with little or no oversight. Others simply work out of their homes and also employ less than reliable people to do the actual work. If in Costa Rica ask the investigator if you can visit them at their office. If they decline or ask you to meet them in a more public spot such as a restaurant, it is probably because they have no office.
If the only telephone number available is a cell phone (in Costa Rica all cell phones begin with the #8)then they are probably a “hobbyist” and are not professional investigators.In the alternative if they do not have a Costa Rican cell phone this is another indication of no presence in Costa Rica. If they have an office they will have a telephone number that begins with a “2″. Absent this you will probably be dealing with someone operating from their home or apartment and have no real resources to meet your demands.
If the matter you are having investigated will ultimately require testimony in the United States, inquire as to whether the investigator can travel to your jurisdiction to testify. If they are unable to travel to the jurisdiction to testify, the information and/or evidence they discover is of little or no value. Since there is no licensing authority in Costa Rica for private investigators it is important for you to know if the investigator has a criminal history either in Costa Rica or the United States.(This includes any agents or employees the investigator may use)
Check the investigator’s credentials.
If they list education or experience on their website and there is no substantive information concerning the education or experience, inquire as to where and when they obtained such qualifications. For example, if the web site indicates both investigations and security services it is usually means that one service is provided more than the other. Investigative skills and security skills are uniquely different and require vastly different education and training. Usually security people have military backgrounds whereas investigators have law enforcement backgrounds. If “former federal agents” are listed, ask to speak to them directly. Most former federal agents work for themselves and have no problem providing you with their vitae’.
Secondly, beware of investigators who say they have “special connections” with the government or police in Costa Rica. The United States Code(Chapter 15) has a statute (Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, FPCA) that prohibits any American citizen or agent of American citizen paying bribes or giving other consideration to influence a government or private official to act or provide information not authorized by the laws of the foreign government. This is especially true for such information such as telephone and bank records. If you or an agent of yours violate the provisions of the FPCA you may be subject to criminal sanctions by the United States government. Obtaining telephone records in Costa Rica other than those that are yours is a felony. Recently (December 14, 2010) a blog that appeared in the Tico Times quoted this, which warns ex-pats of consequences of getting involve with the wrong private investigator.
Thirdly, if your particular inquiry involves a domestic issue, beware of investigators who use only one man surveillance teams. Experience investigators know that to be effective with surveillance, the target does not need to see the same face or car twice. Costa Rica is a small country, the people who live there are very observant, and that kind of activity is sure to call attention to any surveillance that is taking place. Also, experienced investigators know there is no such thing as a predetermined amount of time that will be required to conduct a successful sureveillance. Investigators who quote low rates are usually outsourcing the surveillance or do not have the experience to do a professional surveillance. A solid surveillance will have a tremendous amount of prep work prior to beginning the surveillance. The more prep work that is done prior to the surveillance will ultimately lower the overall costs of a surveillance. Regardless, it should be kept in mind that ALL surveillances are expensive.
Fourthly, make sure you are not intimidated by the investigator. Unfortunately, there are those who employ tactics less than ethical or honest. Some investigators here attempt to force you to employ them by demanding payment immediately or they will contact the subject of the inquiry and expose the investigation, thus rendering the inquiry useless. Since there is no licensing authority here to police such activities it is very important you rely on investigators that are willing to provide you assurances that they will recognize the confidentiality of the relationship and not do anything to thwart or hinder the investigation even if not employed.
Lastly, make sure that the investigator has a method to provide you with an detailed accounting of his time and expenses. If a retainer is required make sure that the investigator is not authorized to exceed that amount without your prior consent. An accounting of activities and expenses should be a good indicator of whether to proceed or not. Usually, professional investigators with an office have no problem providing you with such an accounting.
