Richard is a private investigator who has many years’ experience in investigating criminal lovers, bitter exes and scorned partners. We caught up with him to talk about a typical day in his world and some of his more weird and wonderful cases.

Relationships on Female First

Relationships on Female First

How does someone land a career as a private investigator? 

Either start off learning as an apprentice or junior Pi with an established Private Detective agency or Investigations based organization, and or study for a Pi related qualification and then start your own Pi business.

Was it something you always wanted to do?

From a child I remember always wanting to fly, and at age 19, I achieved a RAF Flying Scholarship and then a commission as a Flying Officer assigned to RAF Kenley. My commission ended in 1999 and I looked for something just as exciting, challenging and useful to society. After a Diploma course in Private Investigations, I then started up my own business called “Expedite Detective Agency” (www.ex-da.com). 

What is the strangest thing you’ve been asked to investigate by a scorned partner or a bitter ex?

A scorned wife asked me to keep an eye on her ex-husband’s little dog that she was concerned about and wanted back. First time I experienced being a Pet-Detective.

Can you tell us about one of your most interesting cases?

A VIP employed me to follow their teenage son who was skipping college etc. I discovered that the son had been recruited by a criminal gang, who had blackmailed the teenager into shop-lifting and carrying illegal items for them. With my evidence, the concerned parents then called in the police and their son regained his life.

Are some people just paranoid about their partner’s moves or are their suspicions generally justified?

By the time a person has come to me with their concern, they are usually sufficiently convinced that something is not right and just want hard evidence from me. I found that a woman’s intuition is often correct, and 90% of my customers concerns are justified, although one lady in a new relationship was proven happily wrong, when we discovered her new boyfriend was only disappearing to visit his mum, and he just didn’t want to come across as a mummy’s boy.

What is a typical day like in your world?

Mostly a mixture of planning or implementing surveillance and finding missing people, to speaking with happy or sad customers or matrimonial partners and doing court or paperwork.  

When you investigate a criminal lover what sort of crimes are we talking about? 

Mostly theft, fraud of household contents or ownership by divorcing couples and occasionally kidnapping of a child by a access or banned parent.

How does it feel for you when you have to give someone bad news about their partner’s actions? 

Some customers are overjoyed that I’ve been able to provide evidence for them to prove to their family who the guilty party is. Others including men, occasionally cry when they get the news. Either way, I try to point out the positives- such as- their concerns are now proven to be real and that they can now take positive action to resolve the issue or move on etc. So I always feel like it’s a bit of tough love now, for a better life tomorrow.

How do they generally react when you give them the news?

As I have been in the similar situation of being cheated on once in the past myself, I am therefore sympathetic, patient and consoling to my customers in such situations. One Italian lady wanted to show me her appreciation after I proved her husband had a lover, by asking if I was available for some love making with her. Of course, I told her I had to leave pronto. 

What is next for you?

I am publishing my book about my Pi experiences which also explains what Honey-Trapping is, which was alleged to have occurred to Donald Trump in Russia. It’s a captivating book written in a more seductive style than 50 Shades. It’s called “Honeytraps & Sexpionage” and is available via Amazon.

True Crime:

  • True Crime (Freeview 60) celebrates Valentine’s Day with stories of crimes of passion including Deadly Women, Snapped, Very Bad Men and Devil You Know all week from 11th Feb.

Richard Martinez

  • Hire a private investigator from Expedite agency (www.ex-da.com)
  • Richard’s book brand new book, Honeytraps & Sexpionage, is available now

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