News Without Comment

NEWS - ‘without comment’ Today is National Private Investigators Day and marks the birthday of Eugène François Vidocq, we celebrate the legacy of a pioneer whose vision continues to shape our profession., To my fellow investigative colleagues: It's an honor to work...

NEWS – “without comment” UK Human Rights Blog Court of Appeal finds the National Crime Agency’s refusal to investigate human rights abuse-linked cotton imports from the Uyghur region unlawful  By Shaheen Rahman on July 23, 2024 R (World Uyghur Congress) v National...

NEWS – “without comment” Private Detectives: Secrets, Privacy and Investigation in post-1960 Britain Private Detectives: Secrets, Privacy and Investigation in post-1960 Britain, is the title of research that Tobias Kelly, Professor of Political and Legal Anthropology...

NEWS – “without comment” Elizabeth Short Sunday, July 7, 2024 Starmer announces Rwanda policy is ‘dead and buried’ Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during a press conference after his first Cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street, London, following the landslide...

NEWS – “without comment” AN INTERESTING ARTICLE FOR ‘EVIDENCE’ GATHERERS…… “The Courts will not necessarily exclude evidence simply because it has been unlawfully obtained or stolen.” In cases involving unlawfully obtained evidence, the approach of the English Court...

NEWS – “without comment” WAPI Chairman "Interviewed on Strange Cases" Unexpected And Weird Discoveries Made By Private Detectives - Interview With Expert Adelaide Ross and Mantas Kačerauskas Jun 20, 2024 I’ve never had any interest in being in law enforcement, but...

NEWS – “without comment” Global Private Investigation Services Market to Grow to US$ 28.2 Billion by 2032 Ravi Chawat - 2024-06-18 Private Investigation Services Market is estimated to reach US$ 28.2 Bn in 2032. Employee verification as a service accounts for 15%...

NEWS - “without comment” Yesterday WAPI,  in conjunction with the Institute of Professional Investigators ( IPI) and the United Kingdom Private Investigators Network  (UKPIN),  launched the Confederation of Professional Investigators UK. (COPI) ...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D.Withers) www.WAPI.org Fifty Years Ago!!  Lord Lucan Lord Lucan disappeared 8 November 1974, declared dead 3 February 2016), was a British peer and an Anglo-Irish aristocrat.  Richard John Bingham, 7th Earl of Lucan, commonly...

Hong Kong:       Explainer: Why UK authorities arrested 3 men linked to Hong Kong’s trade office HKFP looks at the accusations made against a Hong Kong trade office manager, a London police officer, and a security contractor in the UK. How did the arrests put the de...

Car rental manager fined after unlawfully obtaining customer data 16 May 2024 A former Management Trainee at Enterprise Rent-A-Car UK Limited ("Enterprise Rent-A-Car") has been ordered to pay a fine after admitting he illegally obtained customer data between 18 March...

Prolific burglar, 44, caught breaking into M&S to steal steak and prosecco is the first to be jailed by private prosecution after the Met refuse to investigate By Eirian Jane Prosser    Published: 07 May 2024 https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ Robber David Hanson...

Israeli private eye arrested in London over alleged hacking for US firm By Sam Tobin May 3, 2024 https://www.reuters.com/world/israeli-private-eye-arrested-uk-over-alleged-hacking-us-pr-firm-2024-05-02/ LONDON, May 2 (Reuters) - An Israeli private investigator wanted...

IFW Global, a world-leading private intelligence agency specialising in cybercrime, has orchestrated a ground-breaking investigation resulting in local authorities raiding two office locations in Cebu, Philippines. This operation effectively dismantled a major crime...

The ABI Professional Investigators Conference April 26/27. 2024  The ABI 2024 AGM and Banquet took place in Windsor last Friday and Saturday and was very well attended and interesting. A number of WAPI GC and Members attended and were made welcome. From a professional...

NEWS – “without comment” An Italian Question: “Are Private Investigator Photos Admissible Evidence in Court?” The admissibility of private investigator photographs as evidence in court has become a pertinent question in legal circles. With the increasing reliance on...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.com Met Police detectives hunting for Madeleine McCann are set to receive £100k grant to help fund investigation for missing toddler...

NEWS – “without comment” Estepona Court Clears Man Accused of Falsely Reporting Maserati Theft in 2019 A landmark legal decision in Malaga, Spain, acquits a man in a Maserati theft case, underlining the intricacies of insurance fraud investigations....

NEW LEGISLATION COMING INTO FORCE The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 – Changes to Companies House comes into force March 4, 2024. To be conversant with the responsibilities and liabilities of this new legislation, the following link will access the...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org                                A woman in Ireland lost her $823,000 injury claim due to a photo of her throwing a Christmas tree.                 Kamila Grabska, 36, won a 2018 tree-throwing contest...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org ‘Putin’s bailiffs’: the Russian agency bankrupting dissidents using UK courts Alexei Navalny's friend Bill Browder says sanctions against the Deposit Insurance Agency 'long overdue' The Deposit...

NEWS    - “without comment” Russian investigator abducted while probing missing cannabis money in SA, Namibia Nkululeko Ncana – City Press Wednesday, 07 February A Russian private investigator based in Germany has been rescued from a harrowing ordeal after he found...

NEWS - “without comment” 7 detained in Turkey for allegedly selling intel to Mossad via private detectives. Turkish security official says arrests made in connection with tracking and monitoring local targets, after Erdogan warned Israel against hunting down Hamas...

Private investigator who is a descendant of poet William Wordsworth reveals he was stopped by police at Bristol City airport and quizzed for two hours over his links to Russia and Vladimir Putin   MailOnline Monday, Jan 22, 2004 By Mark Hookham and Abul Taher Full...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org The Role of Private Detective Agencies in Singapore Haseeb Ijaz January 17, 2024  In the dynamic and bustling city-state of Singapore, where modernity meets tradition, there exists a discreet and...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org   How does Israeli intelligence recruit operatives in Turkey?   Israel uses wide range methods to cultivate spies in Turkey to chiefly target Palestinian and Middle Eastern nationals Israeli...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) Police swoop on Seychelles financial services firm hours after new Pandora Papers probe   Documents and hard drives were seized from Alpha Consulting’s offices, as the Seychelles regulator investigates the firm’s...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org Greece appoints private detectives to locate state debtors 24 Νοεμβρίου / November 2023   In the "hunt" for the big debtors, private detectives are expected to be hired to help the authorities'...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org Seychelles secrets: Island tourist paradise home to Russia-linked firm exploiting UK laws Investigation reveals how islanders are hired as fronts for hundreds of shady UK firms Author:            Simon...

November 16, 2023 |  NEWS without comment NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org NEW YORK, Nov 16 (Reuters) - A U.S. court on Thursday sentenced an Israeli private detective to 6-2/3 years in prison for organizing global hacking campaigns...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org Retired private investigator from Grantham releases first novel in Rutland crime thriller series By Chris Harby - chris.harby@iliffepublishing.co.uk Published: 08 November 2023 A retired private...

NEWS – “without comment” THE MAGAZINE FOR THE PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR PI Magazine – To Subscribe, visit https://pimagazine.com/ PI GEAR WHERE THE PROS SHOP! For PI Gear visit www.PIGEAR.com for all your surveillance equipment needs

NEWS – “without comment” SERVICE OF PROCESS IN ITALY Source: https://lettersblogatory.com/2023/10/17/case-of-the-day-turco-v-lovisoni/?utm_source=mailpoet&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=letters-blogatory-1 The case of Turco v. Lovisoni (Cal. Super. Ct. 2023)....

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org Protesters to call for review of London man’s murder conviction Steve Hobbs, a retired Met detective superintendent who led more than 200 murder investigations, has been working on the case largely pro...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org “Has shoplifting has become 'decriminalised' thanks to the lack of police action” Revealed: Have-a-go heroes who foiled 'brazen Tesco shoplifters' are 'crime fighters' who tackled 'thieves' during their...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org ICO issues guidance on workplace surveillance Guidance on employee monitoring covers how employers can conduct their digital surveillance lawfully, transparently and fairly, and warns against businesses...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org NatWest hired private detectives to look into the health of borrowers who owed money: NatWest hired private detectives to look into the health of borrowers who owed money to its notorious Global...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org Professional Investigation Qualifications Withdrawn. For those in the investigation sector, you will all be aware that the government & the SIA has been attempting (I use that term loosely) to...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org Met agreed to compensation 18 months after the family announced lawsuit plans By Stephen Wright and Richard Pendlebury Published: 17 July 2023 The family of the murdered private detective Daniel Morgan...

NEWS – “without comment” STATEMENT FROM WAPI CHAIRMAN June 6. 2023 Following discussion with the Institute of Professional Investigators (IPI) it gives me pleasure to announce that WAPI have elected to adopt the joint and standardised Code of Ethics and Professional...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org  Private detective charged with treason in Moscow has reported links to Russia’s leaked-data black market, which investigative journalists use to track FSB agents and more July 5, 2023 Source: Meduza...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org Sheffield University hired private investigators who monitored student elections Candidates running in the left-wing Solidarity Slate have discovered heavily redacted documents that appear to profile...

UPDATE – NEWS – “without comment”  Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org Following requests from some Members, the full Report from the ICO is now posted as follows: Source   https://ico.org.uk/action-weve-taken/enforcement/michael-isaacs/ Date       21 June 2023...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org UK: Prosecution of tracing agent for illegally obtaining personal information June 24, 2023 https://www.databreaches.net/uk-prosecution-of-tracing-agent-for-illegally-obtaining-personal-information/ An...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org New York: 3 Are Convicted of Harassing Family on Behalf of China’s Government The defendants, including a private detective who said he did not realize he was working for an intelligence operation,...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org The question  ‘Are Intel Firms in fact PIs?’ Council of State rejects private investigator Sanier's appeal in case against industry watchdog May 31, 2023 - Intelligence Online Indigo Publications, 75002...

NEWS – “without comment”  Posted by: Ian (D. Withers www.WAPI.org NHS Glasgow bosses confess to paying private investigators to spy on relatives of dead patients…. NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) have confessed to hiring private investigators to conduct their...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org Ex-N.Y.P.D. Sergeant Accused of Doing China’s Bidding Goes on Trial New York Times - By Karen Zraick - @karenzraick May 31, 2023 Michael McMahon, a former New York Police Department sergeant, faces...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org Increasing Financial Fraud Driving Need for Private Investigation Services  PRESS RELEASE Published May 22, 2023 Xherald Financial fraud has always been a concern, but in recent years, it seems to have...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.com The Role of Private Investigators in Modern Society Private investigators, often portrayed in popular media as mysterious figures clad in trench coats and fedoras, play a vital and evolving role in...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org UNRESOLVED MISSING FEMALES CASES? 22 dead women, no names: Interpol seeks clues on cold cases by: JOHN LEICESTER, Associated Press Posted: May 10, 2023 PARIS (AP) — The 22 women mostly met violent...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org Daniel Morgan: Met Police forced to apologise after lost documents ‘found in locked cabinet’ Met assistant commissioner says force is ‘working to understand what has taken place’ Rich Booth, Matt...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org China’s ‘men in black’ step up scrutiny of foreign corporate sleuths Raids on consultancies reveal mounting risks of performing due diligence Foreign consultants are learning to expect a knock on the...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org “In 1997, retired detective Derek Haslam was recruited as a Met spy and during his nine years undercover he spied on the family of private investigator Daniel Morgan, murdered ten years earlier.”...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted b: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org Hugh Grant tells court that The Sun used 'burglaries to order' and 'bugging' to obtain private information “The British actor is suing News Group Newspaper (NGN) - the publisher of The Sun and the...

NEWS - “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org FOLLOW-UP TO: NEWS – “without comment” of March 06, 2023  FAMILY OF RUGBY PLAYER LEVI DAVIS, WHO WENT MISSING IN SPAIN, BREAKS TIES WITH PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR The Line of Inquiry firm has floated a...

NEWS - “without comment” ANZAC DAY - April 25, 2023 WAPI GC and Members extend respectful Greetings to our Australian & New Zealand Members and to all who served. History: Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org An Interesting PI Book – available from Amazon Sister Sleuths Female Detectives in Britain by Nell Darby The 1857 Divorce Act paved the way for a new career for women: that of the private detective. To...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org Judicial error thwarts Marbella kidnapping investigation Jamal, a Dutch national, was abducted by fake police officers in Puerto Banús in summer 2020 SUR / Juan Cano - Malaga Tuesday, 18 April 2023 The...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org London April 18, 2023: UK regulator reprimands police for secretly recording phone calls Reuters Britain's information regulator said on Tuesday it had formally reprimanded two police forces for...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org Who killed ‘The Essex Boys’? Sky documentary “The Essex Murders” explores the notorious case By Euan O'Byrne Mulligan - Freelance reporter April 14, 2023 Private investigators say they have uncovered...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org UK GDPR Reform Is Back! Department of Science, Innovation and Technology Introduces New Data Protection and Digital Information Bill March 30, 2023 William RM Long, Francesca Blythe, Subhalakshmi Kumar...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org Sheffield University criticised for hiring private investigator after protest Private investigator hired to look into possible involvement of two student activists in occupation of building Rachel Hall...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org New Data Protection Bill 13th March 2023 Professional Security Magazine Online https://www.professionalsecurity.co.uk Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan has re-introduced the Data Protection and...

NEWS – “WITHOUT COMMENT” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org PI Firm in Northwest Helps Interpol Track Down Fugitive Terrorism Financier EINPresswire.com March 12, 2023 A private firm in the NW helped Interpol track a fugitive financier. The success highlights...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org Private Investigation Services Market to See Huge Growth Pinkerton, Vidocq, InfoAct March 08, 2023 / 03-08-2023 Press release from: AMA Research & Media LLP Private Investigation Services Market ...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org Nicola Bulley TikTok sleuth arrested after snooping around village at night searching for missing mum A social media influencer from Lancashire has been fined after snooping around the village of St...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org ‘I help people disappear - but faking your own death is a terrible idea’ Hundreds of people each year commit ‘pseudocide’ and walk away from their lives.  But in the digital age, maintaining the lie...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org French police investigate hacking of Michel Platini’s email Story:  https://www.thebureauinvestigates.com/stories/2023-01-26/french-police-investigate-hacking-of-michel-platinis-email Please support the...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org Missing X Factor star Levi Davis fled gang and may have drowned, investigator says Private investigators searching from missing Rugby star Levi Davis say he was fleeing criminals and may have tragically...

NEWS – “without comment” A CONCERNING TREND ? Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org England: Use of out of-court disposals by police out of control, magistrates warn Magistrates in England and Wales have accused the police of undermining open justice by dealing...

NEWS – “without comment” Police ‘being asked to do too much’ on NHS missing patients inquiries, says MP Police Scotland has carried out more than 5,500 investigations into patients who have been reported missing from NHS facilities since 2019. Jan 3, 2023 - By PA...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by; Ian (D. Withers) https://www.WAPI.org Some Members will know and have worked with well-known Turkish PI Ismail Yetimoglu – The allegation being made is that he was acting for Mossad! Yet another warning to all of us to check those...

NEWS – “without comment” WAPI MADE OUR USUAL ANNUAL CHARITY DONATION TO “HELP 4 HOMELESS VETERANS” The Charity selected at this year’s AGM by the GC is Help 4 Homeless Veterans (http://help4homelessveterans.org) A charity is based in South Yorkshire who offer...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org SUPER COMPLAINT AGAINST POLICE 'I would not wish this upon anyone': GB News presenter Ellie Costello reveals her year of hell being stalked by Airline star Leo Jones – as campaigners launch 'super...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org Fugitive diamantaire Jatin Mehta faces heat from London High Court Mehta who is believed to have obtained St Kitts and Nevis citizenship lives in London Chandrashekar Bhat 23 November, 2022 Diamantaire...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org  “A detective is born, not made” Meet Rajani Pandit, The Lady James Bond Of India Who Has Solved More Than 75,000 Cases By Loveleen Kaur 22nd November 2022 When we think of a detective, we immediately...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org Wexford County Council urged to hire private investigators to expose absentee local authority tenants Padraig Byrne November 16 2022 Source: Wexford-People / Wexford Newsletter...

NEWS – “without comment” Iran and China Use Private Detectives to Spy on Dissidents in America U.S. investigators are hired under false pretences by authoritarian governments to do their “dirty work,” the F.B.I. says. ….. Reposted from the NCISS Newsfeed by kind...

NEWS - “without comment” Posted by:  Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org The German Private Detectives Associations (BID and BDD) merged to form a new and powerful association called BuDEG. Congratulations and best wishes to the new Association and their President Engin...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org How can Lisa Osofsky save the Serious Fraud Office? Tony McClements October 25, 2022 Last week, SFO head Lisa Osofsky told British lawmakers that she regretted the agency’s “damaging relationship” with...

"NEWS WITHOUT COMMENT" Colleagues The Private Security Authority (PSA) confirmed today that any person who operates as a private investigator in Ireland will be required to hold an individual licence from 01 November 2022. Currently only businesses (contractors) are...

NEWS - “without comment” Reposted by kind consent of UKPIN Dear Group, Please note that an English Court has allowed the service of documents way of a non-fungible token (NFT). As I understand matters the Defendant has an online crypto wallet and the Documents (the...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org Former health adviser found guilty of illegally accessing patient records Date: 05 August 2022 – ICO.org.uk A former health adviser has been found guilty of accessing medical records of patients without...

NEWS - “without comment” Posted by Ian (D.Withers) www.WAPI.org UK brings in ownership register for property held by foreign companies LONDON, Aug 1, 2022 - (Reuters) Britain will now require foreign companies holding UK property to identify their true owners in an...

NEWS - “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org Companies House London office and counter services will not be re-opening, The Companies House London office and counter services in Belfast, Edinburgh and Cardiff will not be re-opening., From:,...

NEWS – “without comment”  Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org Romance fraud trio stalked victim online to ensure she was wealthy Ken Foy – Independent.ie. July 29 2022 Detectives have established that three criminals who were involved in a romance fraud in which...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org UK: Cold case expert launches new investigation into disappearance of tragic schoolgirl Charlene Downes The 14-year-old's disappearance uncovered a child sexual exploitation scandal in the town, and the...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by: Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org Republic of Ireland: Accused in rape cases must show how consent was obtained under new law Independent.ie - Gabija Gataveckaite July 27 2022 People accused of rape will have to convince a jury they...

NEWS – “without comment” Posted by Ian (D. Withers) www.WAPI.org Thieves stole ‘Precious Blood’ relic. It re-emerged at detective’s door. WASHINGTON POST - By María Luisa Paúl July 21, 2022 Dutch art detective Arthur Brand and the relic of the “Precious Blood of...

NEWS – “without comment” By: Ian (D. Withers) July 20, 2022 www.WAPI.org Post GDPR ‘Global Britain’ to be built by restricting data protection rights, recourse Jul 19, 2022 - Frank Hersey Categories Biometrics News  |  Government Services A new bill has been...

NEWS - “without comment” UK NEWS, ‘Racist’ Met police course for detectives ditched after protests by attendees, Lecturers and students objected to a case study that they said stereotyped Asian and Middle Eastern immigrants, Michael Gillard | Fiona Hamilton, Crime...

NEWS – “without comment” Use of Mobile Phone Data in criminal investigations/proceedings – Republic of Ireland - Dwyer ruling The European ruling in Graham Dwyer's case that the indiscriminate retention of mobile phone data for use in criminal investigations is a...

NEWS - “without comment “ Who is Ruja Ignatova? Only woman on the FBI Most Wanted list Ruja Ignatova. could be hiding in the Mediterranean, The woman reportedly went missing after being accused of defrauding investors of more than $4 billion through a cryptocurrency...

NEWS – “without comment” A Reuters Special Report How mercenary hackers sway litigation battles  SPY PHISHING: Hackers based in India attempted to obtain the emails of lawyers and litigants in legal cases across the globe, Reuters found. A trove of thousands of email...

NEWS - “without comment” Divergence or Re-brand? The UK government reveals more informationabout its proposals ... Lexology The consultation lasted for 10 weeks and received almost 3,000 responses, including from the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). On June...

NEWS - “without comment” UK Government Unveils New Data Protection Laws Promising £1Billion in Business Savings, by Tyler SmithJune 19, 2022, LinkedInTwitterFacebookWhatsAppTelegramCopy LinkShare, The UK Government has disclosed details of its intention to introduce...