Instructions

After registering as a private entrepreneur, find premises for your agency. Pay special attention to the design of the office: it should be strict, concise and inspire confidence in potential clients.

Purchase the equipment and devices necessary to carry out detective work. You may need photo and video equipment, a voice recorder, and office equipment. Keep in mind that, according to the law, in your work you can only use photography, surveys, and obtaining information from open sources. Surveillance, phone tapping, and computer hacking are considered illegal. That is why you should not purchase the appropriate equipment.

Pass a medical examination. It must include a mandatory examination by a narcologist and a psychiatrist. In addition, you will also have to undergo specialist examination (neurologist, surgeon). Prepare the appropriate certificate to submit to the internal affairs authorities.

Contact any department of internal affairs and provide the following package of documents to obtain a license: - statement of intention to create a detective agency; - medical certificates; - receipt of payment of the state fee for issuing a license; - 2 photographs; - document on education or additional training in the legal field ;- detailed description of the planned activity indicating the resources required for the work; - certificate of Russian citizenship.

Hire staff to help you get the job done. It is best to look for employees who have a legal education or who have previously worked in the police or military structures. Knowledge of the law, an analytical mind and experience in conducting investigative activities are priorities for your subordinates.

note

You will not be able to open a detective agency if you have a criminal record, are under investigation, or have been dismissed from the internal affairs bodies due to circumstances compromising you.

Helpful advice

Make useful contacts in law enforcement agencies. In the course of your activities, it is quite possible that you will have to resort to the help of the police, the prosecutor's office or the FSB.

The work of a private detective is not about exciting adventures, chasing, shooting, etc. They are only allowed to carry a gas pistol and a spray can. This work is difficult, requiring patience, attention, and endurance. To become a private investigator, you must first obtain a license.

You will need

• Passport, diploma, medical certificate form No. 046-1, application, money, photographs.

Instructions

The activities of private detectives are entrepreneurial activities, so you must first register an individual entrepreneur. To do this, fill out an application for registration as an individual entrepreneur, pay the state fee and submit documents to the tax office. Within 5 working days, the registration authority will make a decision on registration. From Rosstat you will need to receive a letter with statistics codes, open a bank account, and get a stamp. An individual entrepreneur can work without a seal.

In the same police department you need to pass a theoretical exam for suitability for detective work. Detective candidates will be offered one of the test options. The decision of the commission is documented in a protocol. If you fail the exam, the commission will set a date and time to retake it.

The license is issued by the internal affairs bodies at the place of residence. To do this, you need to apply there. The following must be attached to the application:
- passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation;
- questionnaire;
- medical certificate in form No. 046-1. It will be issued at any medical institution. You will need to undergo a medical examination and have a 3x4 photograph with you;
- a diploma of legal education, documents confirming the completion of special training or work experience in operational or investigative bodies of at least 3 years;
- receipt of payment of state duty.

A license may be refused if:
- the citizen has not reached 21 years of age;
- is registered with a narcologist or psychiatrist;
- there is a conviction for committing an intentional crime or a charge has been brought for committing such a crime, if the case has not yet been considered by the court;
- the citizen was dismissed from the civil service, judicial and other law enforcement agencies on incriminating grounds;
- due to his professional activities, exercised control over private detective and security activities, if 1 year has not passed from the date of dismissal.

Recently, this type of income as private detective activity has become increasingly popular. However, this segment of the service market is more developed in Western countries, but in our country it remains quite free, since there are very few real professional detective agencies. As a rule, some services of this kind are provided by law firms or security companies.

If you have an analytical mind and a love of detective work, then you can try to apply your talents in business. Just keep in mind that you will still need a lot of knowledge, skills, abilities, absolute dedication and a high level of professionalism.

Main stages and features of activity

Experts say that there is very little competition among detective agencies. Moreover, organizing this business will require relatively small investments, and the profit can be very, very substantial. At the same time, it is worth noting that this activity itself is specific, so starting to earn money will not be as easy as it seems.

What should you pay attention to?

In 1992, the law “On private detective and security activities in the Russian Federation” was adopted. Having studied its provisions, you will be able to decide on many questions before opening a detective agency in Russia.

A private detective may not provide the entire range of possible services, however, he is still allowed some things:

• collect information and information on civil cases (personal observation of objects, telephone or oral interviews);
• engage in the same collection of information and its analysis for business negotiations (in order to determine how reliable or creditworthy the partner is, etc.);
• investigate the circumstances of illegal actions in business activities (unfair competition, deliberate disclosure of official or commercial secrets, etc.);
• check vehicles, real estate, land plots;
• work with archives, study documents;
• find out personal data (biography, characteristics, confirmation of nationality, etc.) for individuals, if they have their written consent;
• conduct various search operations (for people who are considered missing, lost or stolen property);
• collect some information on criminal cases (in some cases).

There are separate provisions on services for protection purposes:

• protect people's life and health;
• protect entrusted property (possibly during transportation);
• advise and conduct training for clients on issues of lawful protection from unlawful attacks;
• design, install and maintain fire alarm systems after commissioning;
• ensure order in places where public events are held.

Some nuances

The activities of detectives are in many ways similar to the activities of law enforcement agencies, however, as a private investigator, you will not be able to have all their privileges and capabilities. By law, you do not have the right to install wiretapping or hidden cameras, as well as other tracking devices on private property (in apartments, houses, cars, personal belongings, equipment, etc.). The most you can do is take a photo or video, and even then not always. In other cases, you will just have to look for witnesses. Sometimes your activity may be positioned as an unauthorized intrusion into someone’s privacy, so you should be prepared for any difficulties and surprises.

However, some clients demand that they break the law. If you decide to take this step, then you should be aware that you are acting unlawfully; moreover, it will be impossible to demonstrate evidence obtained by criminal means anywhere.

Many private detectives have connections in law enforcement agencies and courts. Using acquaintances, they can quickly obtain the information they are interested in (for example, who owns a certain car or something like that) or find out the decisions of the examinations.

Please also note that an employee of a detective agency is quite limited in the means of his own protection and has no more rights than any other citizen of the country. That is, you can try to protect yourself with a gas spray, body armor, or even a baton if it comes to such self-defense, but you are not allowed to use firearms or bladed weapons. Only security guards can have a license for such types of weapons.

Where to begin?

1. Decide on the types of activities that you are really ready to take on (business intelligence, working with jealous husbands and wives, searching for missing people, debt collection, debt collection, legal advice, etc.).
2. Prepare and complete all necessary documents to obtain permission to open an agency. Complete the required commissions and special training if necessary.
3. Think about where you can place your office and equip it with everything you need.
4. If necessary, hire assistants or other employees.
5. Organize advertising for your agency so that people know about your services.

How to open a private detective agency: legalization of business

Any business starts with registration. If you are not registered with the tax service, then you will need to register (you can as) and select a taxation form (or). You also need to pay a state fee and pay for the license itself.

You will need to prepare documents at the internal affairs bodies. They will fill out special application forms and write an application; you will also need to provide two photographs measuring 4*6 cm.

In addition, you must have:

• copies of the document that proves your identity (passport);
• copies of a document that would confirm that you have a completed legal education (if this is not the case, then you need to undergo special training to work as a private detective). However, if before this you have worked for at least three years in a unit of operational or investigative bodies, then this length of service in your work history will be sufficient;
• detective work can only be carried out by a person who is in good health, so you will have to undergo a medical examination to determine your suitability for this profession, as well as visit drug treatment and psychoneurological dispensaries so that they will issue you a certificate that you are not registered with them;
• You will also be asked to provide a full report on those communication means (plus special technical or other means) that you plan to use in your work. That is why it is important to decide in advance on the specifics of the activity and assess how much and what you really need. Calculations will be required in writing;
• as a private detective, you are subject to compulsory insurance (in cases of injury or other harm to health, as well as death during detective activities).

If you break the law, your license may be revoked. The Department of Internal Affairs refuses to obtain a license:

• those who have not yet turned 21;
• those who have not passed a medical examination or are registered for problems with drugs, alcohol, mental illnesses and disorders;
• those who have had a criminal record (for an intentional crime) or who are currently charged (until this issue is resolved in court);
• former employees of authorities (law enforcement, courts or prosecutor's office), if they were fired due to compromising actions or offenses.

In our country, unfortunately, there are mostly lone detectives who have a license and registration as a legal entity. Whereas the world detective practice has huge detective corporations, whose representative offices are scattered across different countries. According to the law, you can also then organize “detective associations with the status of legal entities” and open your branches or offices in any other regions. As you can see, there is room for improvement.

Where and how to settle?

You may not need to set up a large office at first unless you plan to hire other employees right away. The agency can be located in a small, cozy room in a fairly crowded place, preferably closer to the city center.

In the office you will receive clients and negotiate with them, so try to make the environment personable and respectable. You may have to make some repairs. It would be good if, in addition to the meeting room, there would also be a room or hall for waiting for clients. At the start, 15–20 square meters will be enough for you. m area.

For arrangement you will need:

• tables, chairs or armchairs;
• cabinets (to store client files, magazines and other working documents);
• reception desk (depending on the situation);
• a good computer or laptop with special software;
• Internet access and telephone line, several mobile numbers;
• printer, scanner and copier (possibly in one device), fax;
• high-quality equipment for filming (camera with a good long-range lens, video camera), voice recorder;
• safe.

All other special equipment: bugs, mini-cameras and other “spy” equipment can be purchased, but remember that using this is prohibited by law.

In some cases, you may need disguise clothing, special props or makeup. A fairly large expense item is car rental, as well as personal protective equipment (body armor).

Personnel and work organization

At first, you can start working on your own, but then it is still better to hire several assistants (up to 4-5 people). Experts say that former law enforcement officers can best handle this type of work.

Sometimes you will have to resort to the services of professional actors if you need to conduct some kind of surveillance or find out certain information (old ladies on a bench, random passers-by, potential clients for the company being audited, etc.).

In Western countries, there is a more developed tendency for narrow specialization in work, when a person is an excellent expert in one field. By recruiting a team of such experts, you can create an excellent detective agency. However, our situation leaves much to be desired. Almost always, you will have to try on a lot of different roles and be at the same time: an analyst and operative, a strategist and tactician, a technical specialist, a subtle psychologist or a diplomatic negotiator and a brave fighter, a photographer and cameraman, a driver, an expert and a criminologist... It’s not for nothing that many detectives publish a lot for themselves different business cards, because the detective rarely introduces himself as real, basically, he has many faces.

You will have to listen a lot, but that is not the main thing. The main feature of a detective is the ability to listen and hear, look and see exactly what is needed. You must not just dump information on the client, but analyze and process it, establishing chains of events and possible connections between disparate facts.

Sociability, courage, resourcefulness, analytical skills, ingenuity, the ability to transform, self-confidence, developed intuition, activity - these are the necessary qualities of your employees.

You can do your accounting yourself or outsource it to companies that handle reports remotely.

How to introduce yourself?

After opening an agency, the first serious problem is finding clients. Since no one knows about you yet, it may not be easy for you, because a reputation in this business, like in any other, needs to be developed. It is difficult to advertise yourself through public and well-known means, because you (and your employees) should not be known by sight to the general public: how will you then infiltrate or quietly collect information?

You can create a website on the Internet and thematic groups on social networks, which simply describe the types of services provided.

conclusions

It is believed that this business can be very profitable. Do the math for yourself: one day of your observation of someone will cost 150–200 USD, and for collecting information about the required person you can get up to 1000 USD, for a company - several times more expensive. The wider the range of your services, the more opportunities and income you have.

Estimated costs (figures in dollars):

Before you open a detective agency, you should understand that in this business, investments, in fact, do not play any role. To get started, you will need about $10,000–12,000, and you can return 70% of this amount and become profitable in the first year of operation. However, everything depends only on you and your professional skills.

Well, who can tell you offhand how to organize a business selling coffee or a security agency? Only from the consumer's point of view. Coffee is served hot, and the security guard must constantly be near the protected object and that’s it. More detailed information should be found on the Internet or in specialized literature. But try asking something about the work of a private detective! Everyone will begin to talk about all the intricacies of this profession and give all sorts of recommendations on how to open a detective agency, including from scratch.

There is nothing surprising about this. Look at the bookshelves or on the main page of any online library and choose a detective story to your liking. Today, the detective genre ranks second after women's romance novels in terms of sales. How true is this information? Is it possible to open a detective agency business from scratch after reading several dozen detective stories?

From words to deeds

In fact, detective stories described in detective novels, beloved by many, and the work of today's detective agency in Russia have practically nothing in common. Less than 1% of clients ask to follow an unfaithful spouse or investigate a complicated series of mysterious murders, they say, law enforcement agencies are powerless, etc. Basically, detective agencies in Russia and abroad carry out so-called business orders - to follow a competitor and collect as much information about him as possible, collect incriminating information about the same competitors, find out how promising it is for a foreign investor to invest in a particular industry, the company’s annual turnover and the market for these goods or services as a whole.

The latest orders, although rare, are the most profitable 500,000 rubles or more. So it turns out that if you truthfully describe the work of a detective agency, the reader simply will not buy such reading material. No chases with violations of all conceivable and unimaginable rules, no heart-warming stories about unhappy love, but only numbers, hacking of numerous databases, working with a heap of documents, often hours of digging in archives. Although detective stories for the most interesting novels sometimes happen, but at best only once every few years. How to open a detective agency and start making money?

Specifics

This type of business can rightfully be called a business out of this world. Firstly, it is impossible to predict either profitability or the moment of obtaining the greatest profit from a detective agency. In one week you can earn 1,000,000 rubles or more, or you can earn nothing for several months. This instability must be taken into account when recruiting personnel and choosing premises for a detective agency. Secondly, there is a high probability that one of the staff of the detective agency will “steal your business from under your nose.”

Therefore, you need to either start working as a family and not involve outside workers, or keep everything to yourself and pay the staff a percentage of the order. Thirdly, it is almost impossible to calculate waste in the business of a detective agency. Depending on the order being carried out, you will have to involve:

• A prosecutor or lawyer to submit requests to government agencies that are subject to immediate consideration;
• Operational investigators to obtain information from fingerprint and other databases of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as well as to conduct operational investigative actions, for example, invite, informally, a familiar detective to conduct a private conversation; often only a person with solid experience in law enforcement can ask the right question;
• Professional hackers to hack the resource bases of an institution about which the customer needs to collect some information;
• A forensic expert to conduct an examination of the seized material using equipment specially designed for this purpose;
• A professional analyst who, using incomplete information, could reconstruct a given phenomenon or process;
• A professional actor who can transform into anyone to unofficially collect the necessary information.

Fourthly, Russian legislation prohibits employees of detective agencies from carrying weapons. It is only allowed to photograph, question and search for the necessary information in the archives. That is, according to Russian legislation, the effective work of a detective agency, if one acts strictly within the framework of the law, is practically impossible. It remains to either do everything yourself, risking a prison sentence of 3 or more years for unauthorized intrusion into personal life, or entrust this work to those who have the authority delegated by the Russian state apparatus to perform this or that action. The second option, although more expensive, is many times more effective and safer. The customer pays not only for the work done, but also for the urgency!

Registration

Today, in Russia, a detective agency is classified as a small business, and since the profit of this business is unstable, it is better to register a detective agency as an individual entrepreneur and choose a simplified taxation scheme for a detective agency. This business allows this because virtually no accounting transactions take place during the year. Moreover, the activity of fulfilling a client order is either not documented at all, or is carried out as a completely different job.

Well, how to declare the completion of work on the illegal extraction of information about a competing organization, and if you also describe all the actions performed step by step, then for carrying out just one order, each of the detective agency staff faces at least 5 years of imprisonment.
And who will control the final amount of the detective agency’s fee if a satisfied customer, instead of the promised 200,000 rubles, can pay 350,000 rubles for a job well done! Therefore, the actual amount of taxes often does not reach 3% of the total profit.

Premises and equipment

Opening a detective agency requires virtually no investment or monthly payments for rent or energy bills. This allows you to continue your activities even if there are no orders for a long time. 150 operating detective agencies in Moscow are a prime example of this.

A luxuriously furnished office with a total area of ​​more than 100 m2 is the fruit of a book’s imagination. In fact, 30 m2 is enough, not necessarily in a crowded place. On the contrary, lost in the labyrinth of courtyards, a detective agency, on a subconscious level, evokes much more trust. It seems that a secret entrusted to an agency will be better kept: “after all, I’ve been looking for this agency for so long, who else will come this far”? But you shouldn’t go too far! There should be a parking lot, a cafe or a bar near the agency, because millionaires will come to you! In a word, in a secluded place, but not in the middle of nowhere!

But you shouldn’t skimp on furniture. The classic image of any detective agency is a massive oak cabinet, table and chairs, and in the corner, a fireproof safe. Try to match the image, even if, for example, you are not going to store anything important in the safe!

The ability to keep other people's secrets, the ability to listen, the ability to hide one's emotions, at the same time, to read someone else's facial expressions like an open book, the ability to win over a stranger from the first minutes of acquaintance and, finally, the ability to be invisible - these are the main qualities of a professional detective. For the full functioning of a detective agency, 4 people are enough: 2 actors, 1 person with experience in law enforcement and 1 programmer. The ideal option is if the manager performs the analytical functions, and the rest are aware only of their small part of the large task. This way you will be completely protected from illegal attacks on your business.

Investments and profit

Unlike America, in Russia, clients of detective agencies, as a rule, know exactly what they want when contacting this establishment. Therefore, it is not advisable to open in an office format for VIPs, with a reception desk, a comfortable waiting area, etc. This will not increase the number of clients, but on the contrary, the bar can seriously damage the not yet acquired reputation of your agency. Therefore, the following investments are sufficient:

1. Furnishing the premises - 80,000-120,000 rubles one-time;
2. Computer, printer 40,000 rubles one-time;
3. Rent of premises 20,000-50,000 rubles monthly;
4. High-speed Internet, payment for all SIM cards of mobile operators, city telephone number 30,000 rubles one-time and 12,000-15,000 rubles monthly.
   Perhaps that's all. Payments for staff and taxes are 33%. Payment for assistance from third-party individuals 33%. Your 33%.

And now what you can get and for what service.
Information about the registration data of a competitor’s company 15,000 rubles;
Full information about the company - office address, passport details of managers, debt terms - up to 70,000 rubles;
Absolutely everything about the competing company, right down to information about the relatives of the founders - up to 300,000 rubles;
collection of compromising data on a competitor, information about the secret preferences of management - up to 700,000 rubles.

Currently, the Russian private investigation market is experiencing a relative shortage of detective agencies that are able to provide qualified assistance in the form of quality services. The sphere of security business, compared to detective work, is much more developed, and as for detective agencies, in the Russian capital - Moscow alone - there are more than three hundred such structures and organizations. Other cities in the form of regional centers have a maximum of several agencies or private investigators, the number of which amounts to only a few. Large detective agencies practically do not exist at all, or rather there are just a few of them. Activities on behalf of the agency are often represented by one single private detective, who, being self-taught, provides investigation services, having experience working in the police or law enforcement agencies. To officially provide this type of service, it is enough to register your business as an individual entrepreneur and obtain the necessary license from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which allows you to legally carry out your work. Although today up to 30% of the private investigation market is filled with the services of private detectives who are not “licensees”, but work under a “black flag”, provide or try to provide low-quality services. This article will not talk about such “chernushniks”, but will talk about how to open a legitimate detective agency and become a private detective in the Russian Federation.

"Detective activity" in Russia

The format of the legality of the services provided leaves an imprint on their content and capabilities. Private detectives in Russia do not have the right to install hidden video surveillance, listen to mobile phones, city communications, provide services for detailing conversations, hack mailboxes, accounts, or invade the privacy of citizens by conducting surveillance within private property. In addition, the law does not allow a private investigator to conduct open operational investigative activities, the right to which belongs only to state law enforcement agencies. Therefore, the goals of a private detective are not to capture a criminal. Detectives have the competence to conduct investigations in the field of finding information and facts, which subsequently must be used in state courts and other authorities to make fair sentences and decisions. The modern activity of private detectives implies the ability to work in the field of providing services to carry out individual orders - tasks from clients. In this context, the detective does not have the right to accept illegal orders for execution, as well as to undertake anti-legal methods for their practical implementation.

Documents and requirements for obtaining a license

Detective business in Russia requires registration, for which a simple form of individual entrepreneur* is suitable. At the same time, work in the field of private investigation in Russia is subject to mandatory licensing. The license is issued by the licensing service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia. To obtain a permit you will need:

• Submit the appropriate application;
• Fill out a special form;
• Provide a passport of a citizen of the Russian Federation;
• Have a certificate from a medical institution confirming your health status;
• Provide documents that confirm legal education, completion of special detective courses, as well as three years of work experience in the Ministry of Internal Affairs (operational and investigative units).

*Individual entrepreneur must register with the Federal Tax Service. The main type of activity must be OKVED 80.10 “activity of private security services”; if such an OKVED is not the main one or it has additional status, you will not be able to obtain a license, even if all other requirements are met.

Business Plan Basics

So, what is needed to organize your own detective agency? At the first stage, this kind of work can be done personally, and subsequently resort to searching for hired workers and personnel. At the same time, it is the quality of selection of the right employees that plays the most important role in the success of the entire business process. Based on practice, we can conclude that the most valuable contingent for the implementation of services in this area are ex-law enforcement officers who already have the necessary arsenal of skills and knowledge in the field of investigative activities. The qualifications and professionalism of the staff are drivers of reputation growth, on which the influx of clients in particular and the revenue component in general will depend.

Think over the agency name and logo

Determine the main directions of future activity of the detective agency, because the name of the agency and its logo will speak for themselves. If over time you plan to deal with business intelligence or verification of business partners, and generally serve the business segment, then a name such as “marriage reading” will definitely not suit it. And a logo with a camera that films the moment of betrayal will only alienate a potential client who will need business services. Also, if you plan to specialize in identifying betrayals, then the name, for example, “intelligence” will not be very suitable for it either. Just like a logo in a business sense, for example “financial charts”, etc. If you cannot decide on the main directions of future detective activity, use neutral names such as “person”, “search”, “truth”, etc. In such cases, “magnifying glass”, “fingerprints”, etc. can be used in logos. Some name their agencies based on the surname of the founder with the addition of a synonym for the word “companions”, for example “Ivanov and partners”, “Petrov and team”, etc. In addition, take into account the principle of territoriality; if you plan to work only in your region, you can add the name of the region or city to the name of your agency. Many people do this, an example would be “Search-Crimea”, “Intelligence-Moscow”, “Alibi-Krasnodar”. The name of a detective agency can say a lot about itself, just like its logo. When naming your company and project, remember: “As you name the ship, so it will sail”!

Acquisition costs

To provide services in the field of private investigation, it is necessary not only to register, but also to purchase the appropriate technical equipment. Material costs are necessary to purchase both high-end photo and video equipment. A professional detective needs trouble-free equipment that will provide high quality despite a number of limiting factors, including uncomfortable working conditions, the possibility of hidden use, a long distance to the object and other aspects. Personal computer or several computers for private detectives. It is most rational to purchase a laptop, which, unlike a stationary PC, is mobile. Many people associate the work of a private detective with espionage activities, which imply the presence of special means for wiretapping or other covert collection of information. This activity is a violation of the laws of the Russian Federation and is subject to criminal prosecution. Therefore, if we are talking about a legal private detective agency, the purchase of special equipment is not necessary. In addition, their sale in Russia is prohibited. In addition to certified ones, which are sold in stores. If you are going to purchase them, keep your receipts, as you may have to prove the legality of their purchase on the territory of the Russian Federation.

Does a detective agency need an office?

Do you need an office or can you do without it? This question is often asked by newly minted private investigators. But some agencies and detectives work without an office, but for the functioning of a full-fledged detective agency, basic attributes are necessary, one of which is the office - the face of the enterprise. In this regard, the issue of leasing premises for an office or purchasing non-residential premises is relevant. The premises may be different, but the rental price should be considered as the agency’s solidity and reputation, which attracts clients and allows them to make a profit. Moreover, it is worth noting that it is impossible to organize a truly synergistic approach to cases, which will be many or few, sooner or later in the proceedings of a private detective without an office. Also, in terms of one-time costs, after renting and purchasing office space, there is the purchase of furniture and the formation of the interior, the purchase of hardware and the design of a workplace or workplaces.

Salary and advertising expenses

If there are employees in the agency, their wages are also an expense item. The agency's advertising company, as well as the services provided, also requires capital investments. By investing in advertising on television in the media, on the Internet, as well as in promoting the official resource of the agency, profits will increase from an increase in the number of customers. Attracting a potential client is one of the primary tasks when implementing a private investigation agency project.

Profitability of the private investigation industry

The specificity of the work of a detective agency or private detective in the financial aspect, which takes into account the ratio of costs and profitability, consists of relatively small investments and, sometimes, unexpectedly high earnings, which attract a huge number of people who want to try themselves in a new field. Private investigation and detective services are in demand in society, because there are more than 300 people missing in the country every day. Considering the possibilities of professional investigation, detectives compete with law enforcement agencies, which sometimes cannot cope with the flow of difficult situations. Private investigation services can be of different types and complexity, and therefore, when calculating the cost of services provided, physical and moral aspects are taken into account. It is quite obvious that the services of a private detective are not a cheap pleasure. Detectives' clients are people with average and high incomes who can offer a high fee for the work done.

The cost of detective services depends

The cost of private investigation services is determined individually and is practically not subject to a single tariff. The price depends on factors such as the complexity and duration of the work, the presence of difficulties and risks, criteria that make it difficult to complete the task, and the volume of the service as a whole. For example, the information service sector may include the ability to search for information about individuals and entire companies, the cost of which ranges from several tens of thousands of rubles to half a million. Tariffing for services depends on the level of professionalism of the detectives, the reputation of the agency and the level of capabilities. In particular, only 10% of private investigation representatives can do the highest-class luxury work. It is quite obvious that composite services in this segment will be the most expensive and costly.

Practical aspect

When assessing all the pros and cons when implementing a detective agency project on the territory of the Russian Federation, one should take into account not only the legal aspects of the legal registration of activities. Private investigation is, first of all, a range of services, the quality of which depends on the professionalism of detectives and employees. Currently, the scope of detective work is diverse and affects almost all social, family, and criminal issues in society. In this regard, the demand for high-quality investigation services is growing. The work of amateurs is not popular and over time, unprofessional detectives and their agencies cease to exist as subjects. In this regard, at the stage of creating an agency, you need to assess your capabilities and measure your strengths, to figure out what kind of quality services you can provide.

Detective license allows you to legally carry out detective activities in the interests of private clients interested in using the materials obtained during such activities in their own interests.

To obtain the appropriate permit, you must meet a number of legal requirements, including being registered entrepreneur and have demonstrated knowledge of the subject area.

A license allowing private detective activities is a document issued by authorized government services to citizens on an individual basis. There is no direct difference between an individual document and an agency permit– every specialist, even in law. a person specializing in investigations must have an individual document confirming his rights and qualifications.

Within the framework of his legal status, the detective has the right to carry out survey ordinary citizens and officials, if they have their consent, conduct inspections of objects, premises, buildings, movable property, make inquiries, conduct surveillance.

You can film video, take photographs, make audio recordings, use legally permitted equipment and devices that do not harm the environment and citizens.

The results of the activities of private investigation workers, obtained legally, can be used as evidence in court.

The activities of detectives are regulated by the relevant law of March 11, 1992 (as amended on July 3, 2016).

Important! Private detectives must legally provide assistance to official government services, and within the limits of their competence they can count on the assistance of government agencies.

If you are thinking about the discovery, then read the article at the link.

Issued by whom, terms and grounds

Licenses for private detective activities are issued licensing departments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs at the place of registration of the applicant or at the place of the proposed location of the detective agency.

The license is issued for a period of 5 years, for violations can be suspended or revoked early, after the accounting period has passed, it can be extended, and the document can be re-issued at any time while it is valid, taking into account new circumstances (for example, if the need arises for a detective to start using technical means).

The provision of licenses is based on the provisions of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, the law “On Private Detective Activities”, government regulations, certain procedures and administrative regulations that guide the competent authorities in their work, as well as other federal and regional regulations and legislative acts.

You can find out who issues the license in the article at the link.

Requirements for the applicant

An applicant for a private investigation license must meet the following legal requirements:

• age from 21 years;
• absence of medical contraindications, confirmed by passing a medical examination;
• registration as an individual entrepreneur under activity code 80.30, which implies the provision of investigation services;
• experience of at least three years (in total) of work in investigative bodies or in a position involving the conduct of operational investigative activities in the relevant bodies;
• or having a secondary/higher legal education;
• or successful qualification after completing a specialized detective course.

Cannot apply for a license, including:

• registered in drug and mental health dispensaries;
• convicted or under investigation;
• dismissed from the bodies responsible for maintaining law and order on incriminating grounds;
• if less than a year has passed since the applicant left the law enforcement unit responsible for monitoring the activities of private investigation workers.

Reference! Foreigners and stateless persons also cannot count on obtaining a private detective's license, except in circumstances provided for by international treaties with the participation of Russia.

List of detective services and prohibitions

The license allows you to carry out the following operations legally:

• collect information on issues related to civil litigation;
• study market conditions, collect data and identify unreliable business partners when preparing transactions and negotiations;
• identify circumstances in which the business reputation is damaged, interests are violated, information related to the category of the client’s trade secret is disclosed;
• to find out the details of the biography and other relevant data about the persons who provided consent in writing during the signing of contracts and agreements;
• search for missing persons;
• collect necessary information on issues related to the progress of criminal proceedings;
• look for debtors, guided by the writ of execution;
• carry out other detective activities that do not contradict the law.

Legally private detectives are prohibited:

• commit actions that violate the rights of persons whom the detective encounters in the course of work, including violation of the rights of inviolability of home, privacy of correspondence and other forms of communication, etc.;
• use prohibited technology and equipment;
• provide services not specified by law or act without concluding a formal agreement;
• prevent inspections of their activities by regulatory authorities;
• introduce yourself as a law enforcement officer.

Important! In addition, private investigators have an obligation to annually confirm the absence of health contraindications for this type of activity; a medical examination report must be submitted to regulatory authorities.

Required documents

The applicant must provide the licensing authority with:

1. Statement indicating:
   1. FULL NAME.;
   2. information on individual entrepreneurs;
   3. the proposed territory within which detective activities are planned to be carried out;
2. Questionnaire;
3. Data on the necessary technical equipment (the law includes handcuffs and a rubber truncheon in this category) and the need for their use;
4. Medical certificate in form 046-1;
5. 2 photos (4x6 cm);
6. Copies of passport, work book, TIN;
7. Documents that confirm that the applicant has a higher/secondary legal education or the fact that he has successfully completed a detective course;
8. Document confirming payment of state duty.

Important! It is also necessary to go through the procedure and have a document confirming the fact of passing fingerprint registration.

The documents that need to be prepared to receive can be found in the article at the link.

How to get a private detective's license in 2019: step-by-step instructions

To successfully obtain a license, you must complete the following steps:

1. Register as an individual entrepreneur in order to have the Unified State Register of Individual Entrepreneurs and the OGRNIP, which are necessary to obtain a search permit;
2. Pass a medical examination;
3. Contact the OLRR of the Ministry of Internal Affairs at your place of residence/place of intended professional activity and go through the fingerprint registration procedure;
4. Fill out the form indicating only reliable and up-to-date information;
5. Submit an application and package of documents to the required OLRR;
6. Pay a state fee in the amount of 7,500 rubles. and provide a receipt for payment;
7. Wait within the statutory period of up to 45 working days;
8. If you receive instructions about the need to supplement the package of documents, clarify information or provide all the necessary documents, complete them within the allotted time (usually up to 30 days);
9. If everything went well, get a license and a private detective certificate.

Reference! The application can be submitted in person or through the government services portal by sending documentation with an electronic signature.

Extension, re-registration, termination and suspension of activities

To renew a license for a new period, an application, a medical certificate, 2 photos and a questionnaire are submitted to your OLRR.

Re-registration under new circumstances will require the same set, plus documents that confirm the legitimacy of the changes being made.

Termination and suspension of a license may occur as a result of detection of violations by decision of the regulatory authority.

Suspension implies the presence of minor or ongoing violations, upon correction of which the activity will be able to continue.

Termination implies the presence of a gross violation (for example, the use of narcotic substances during detective work), followed by revocation of the license and a ban on carrying out detective activities. The license can also be terminated at the initiative of the detective through an application submitted to the same authority.

Consequences of working without permission

Unlicensed detective activity may result in penalties fine, administrative penalty, punishable by criminal prosecution and legal proceedings. Working under an expired license may result in refusal to renew it.

A license for private detective work is granted to citizens who are registered as a specialized individual entrepreneur, have experience in operational investigative work or a legal education, meet legal requirements and have the necessary health. The period for consideration of an application for a license cannot exceed 45 days.