Choosing a
Private Investigator in Costa Rica
By Jose Mico
After receiving numerous inquiries on how to
best select a private investigator in Costa
Rica, this article was written to assist
those who are seeking such services.
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.
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 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 the matter you are having investigated
will ultimately require testimony in the
United States, inquire as to the
availability of the investigator travelling
to the 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 their 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 one 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.
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 paying
bribes or other consideration to influence a
government or private officials to provide
information not authorized by the laws of
the foreign government. This is especially
true for such information such as telephone
and bank records.
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 surveillance. 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.
Lastly, make sure that the investigator has
a method to provide you with an 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.
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