Win a 1-night stay for 2 at The Athenaeum Hotel and Residences in London’s Mayfair
Home / The Best of the Rest

Suspicions confirmed: Why the rich and famous are increasingly turning to private investigators to keep them safe

By LLM Reporters   |  

Have you ever wondered the real reason for some of showbiz’s highest-profile splits – especially when the couples in question have always seemed to have such a solid relationship? You might be surprised to learn that in one particularly famous case, it came after one partner’s suspicions about their spouse’s cheating were allegedly confirmed when she hired a private detective to follow him – something which is becoming increasingly common not just in Hollywood, but amongst elite individuals and families across the globe.

With more celebrities finding themselves the victims of scams now than ever before – just one in every 500 of which results in prosecution – some are turning to other means to get their millions back, leaving no stone unturned until justice is served. And, from cheating spouses to dishonest new acquaintances who seem only too eager to quickly become best friends, there are a multitude of other reasons that high-net individuals are turning to private investigator services too.

If you’re prepared to make the investment, then you can find out just about anything about anyone – and it’s little wonder that those who may be at risk due to their impressive fortunes or star status are choosing to protect themselves and their families as best they can at a time when it’s becoming more important than ever to do so.

According to Fidel Matola, founder and CEO of Spetsnaz Security International Ltd – a licensed and insured high-end security firm headquartered in London, there is no reason too big or too small to hire a private investigator.

The rich and famous are increasingly turning to private investigators to keep them safe

The company, whose team of multi-lingual British private investigators make it a priority to uncover facts and gather information in a professional manner in order to help clients defend their rights, serves the entire British territory – and have seen a broad variety of different cases to date.

“Whether you want to locate a long lost loved one, run a background check on a future employee, tail your spouse on vacation in London or uncover someone’s hidden assets, we always take the time to understand your case and build a strategy together,” says Matola.

So, what exactly are the top reasons to hire a private investigator? We asked Matola and his team of experts at Spetsnaz Security International to reveal all.

Confirming someone’s identity

For the rich and famous, ensuring that people are who they say they are is of the utmost importance in order to protect themselves from scams.

In 2017, Russian-born Anna Sorokin allegedly pulled of one of the most high-profile scams in history when she used the name ‘Anna Delvey’ to pose as a wealthy German heiress in a bid to scam her way into the New York party scene, later swindling an unsuspecting friend out of $62,000 for a lavish trip to Morocco and convincing another to buy her plane tickets to Venice. Racking up huge bills at luxury hotels and expensive restaurants, the scam amounted to a total of $270,000, which later saw Sorokin charged with grand larceny – and is a prime example of why the elite might feel at risk when it comes to putting their trust in new acquaintances.

In the world of celebrity, it’s often difficult to determine who is genuine and who isn’t, so it’s little wonder that an increasing number of stars are turning to private detective services to help them uncover the truth

In the world of celebrity, it’s often difficult to determine who is genuine and who isn’t, so it’s little wonder that an increasing number of stars are turning to private detective services to help them uncover the truth.

Catching out a cheat

The Hollywood case we mentioned earlier is not an isolated one, and catching out a cheating spouse or lover has fast become one of the most popular reasons for hiring a private investigator. Not content with simply trusting what their partner tells them and wary of doing the digging themselves, they ultimately turn to the professionals to get the cold, hard evidence they need – which, when it comes to high-profile divorces, which often involve sizeable fortunes, can prove immensely important when it comes to reaching a settlement.

Of course, in some cases such suspicions prove unfounded – but nevertheless, the peace of mind this can provide is seen by many as more than worth the investment, often serving to recement trust – that is, of course, if the party under investigation doesn’t find out, which with the professional service provided by Spetsnaz, is never a possibility.

Spetsnaz Security International
Spetsnaz Security International offer private investigation services in London, throughout the UK and International at short notice 24/7, 7 days a week

Protecting children

Wealthy families with children are increasingly turning to private investigator services to ensure their safety, with reasons involving everything from background checking a nanny or governess to digging the dirt on their friends’ families to ensure that they are never put at risk.

Kids of wealthy families have, on occasion, been the subject of ransom kidnappings, so taking extra precautions to keep them safe is always wise – but it’s not the only reason parents might choose to hire an investigator.

When it comes to unruly teenagers, more and more families are relying on professional surveillance to track their movements. From ensuring that they are going where they say they are to shining a spotlight on any concerning issues, such as drug use or meeting with strangers they have met online, more teenagers than ever are being discreetly kept tabs on by their families, providing parents the ultimate peace of mind.