Lipstick Investigations and The Kyle & Jackie O Show

Lipstick Investigations have been chosen to work with the Kyle & Jackie O Show on Sydney’s KiisFM.  You are probably already aware that Kyle and Jackie have been at the top of the Sydney radio ratings heap for a decade and have one of the largest breakfast audiences on Australian radio.

As one of the most well-known private investigators in Sydney, Lipstick Investigations is well versed in all styles of investigation. Whilst we do tend to specialise in infidelity based investigations and relationship investigation, we also do a large amount of family law work. Furthermore we also carry out background checks and locate persons. In fact, the first three cases we are looking into for Kyle and Jackie O are all relating to reuniting lost families.

The first case involved a grandmother called Jane who was looking for her grand-daughter, Rachael. Rachel’s parents had split up when she was about two years old and Jane had longed to re-untie with her grand-daughter who is now eighteen. After much investigation and digging around we were able to locate Rachael and were able to pass on the details to a very relieved Jane. This was a particularly hard case because the surname that Jane had for Rachel was her son’s surname, not the mother’s surname that Rachael was known by. We had a lot of investigation to do to get to the end result.

The second case involved a young man named James, now in his mid-twenties. James had never met his father as his mother was involved with him only fleetingly. James’ mother knew his name so at least James had a starting point. James had been looking for years but had never been able to locate his birth father. Lipstick Investigations took the case on and we soon realised that the middle name James got from his mother was incorrect, so James had not been able to find his father because the detail was wrong. We were able to go back into the past and locate his father at an address in the early 1990’s and then learn his correct full name. After that detail was sorted it was a relatively straightforward investigation to locate him today. We made contact with James’ father, Peter, and while not wishing to go on the radio, was very happy to be introduced to James. You have to love a happy ending!

There will be more cases to come in conjunction with KiisFM. We are working on more as this blog is prepared. KiisFM and Lipstick – what a great pairing!

If you require a private investigator with any issue at all, please feel free to contact us at 1300LIPSTICK or email us at enquiries@lipstickinvestigations.com.au   There is no charge for an initial consultation.

Private Investigators and Missing Persons

Private Investigators and missing persons go hand in hand together. Yes, Lipstick Investigations is Australia’s foremost relationships investigation firm, but we also carry out other forms of investigation such as background checks, business based inquiries, and missing persons.

Missing persons can be explained in three main groups:

                Misplaced Persons

Misplaced persons aren’t really missing, just misplaced. This is one of the most common forms of missing persons jobs we do, and generally relates to people you have just lost track of. They aren’t really missing as such – it’s just that you don’t know where or how to contact them. Perhaps you are looking for a long-lost family member, an old flame you would like to check in with, an old friend from school or work, or even an adoption issue.  Of course nowadays social media like Facebook and even basic Google searches can help with this, but when you get stuck (and many people do) you can call a licensed private investigator to help. Investigators have the expertise and knowledge to track these individuals down and reunite you them.

                People Who Don’t Want to be Found

This is also an extremely common reason for using a private detective. More often than not a person will not want to be found if they owe money, performing a criminal act or have criminal tendencies, are avoiding service of legal process, or just wish to remain low-key (celebrities and people in the news). These people are still missing persons and can be located on most occasions. All we need is the know-how, some tenacity and the financial capacity to look into the missing person.

                The True Missing Person

The true missing person is when a person just disappears. It may be the fact that they wanted to run away from their problems and have just extracted themselves from the situation, or suffer some sort of mental disorder or a bout of dementia. Perhaps they just need some time out and gather their thoughts – but the family still worry obviously. And the worst case investigators and clients alike – the missing person is a victim of foul play – kidnapping or murder.

Private detectives use a number of methods to investigate a missing persons case. The most common methods are all done within the office. We have a number of databases that we have access to that the public don’t; plus the training and experience to use social media and Google to our advantage as well. Our other main tool is the telephone – it is amazing what you can learn by talking to people!

Of course some missing persons cases require us to get out into the real world and make field inquiries. Perhaps it is talking to people, or showing a photograph that will gather our next clue. A missing persons case may also require surveillance, particularly if we don’t want to tip off the person that we are making inquiries.

If you have a missing persons case that needs a discussion, please feel free to call us on 1300LIPSTICK or drop us a line by email at enquiries@lipstickinvestigations.com.au   An investigator will only be too happy to have a free chat with you about the issue. This obligation free talk will include pricing, methods and timeframe. 

Have you lost valuable info from a mobile phone?

Have you lost valuable info from a mobile telephone or tablet? Smartphones and tablets are incredible pieces of technology. They can do so much nowadays – I can even run the entire private investigation business from my extremely convenient smartphone. Phone calls, text messages, emails, photographs, chat sessions, Facebook, Twitter – all these platforms there at your fingertips. Have you wondered where that information goes after you delete it? Do you even delete it??

Data recovery is even more fantastic than being able to have all this information at our beck and call. Today we have access to some great telephone forensics which allows the forensic technician to explore the device and gather current and deleted information. That’s right, even deleted information can be available from a mobile phone. Would your spouse’s phone hold the secrets he has been keeping from you? Would you’re girlfriend’s iPad hold those chat sessions with a suspected lover? What if you needed to retrieve text messages from your phone for use in court litigation and the detail was deleted months ago?

In almost all cases our forensic telephone technician can retrieve of all of this valuable information. The forensic tech only requires the device or handset for a few hours, just long enough to download the data held on the device (sometimes it is even quicker). He will then head back to the lab and correlate the information. The more information collected, the longer it will take to put back together. This can take some time to turn all of the 0’s and 1’s back into readable information, and this is where to bulk of the cost comes into the picture. The total download service and report preparation does cost upwards of $2500 but it may be a precious source of information for you to make decisions concerning the rest of your life.

Not all licensed private investigators can provide this sort of service – it is very specialised indeed, and there are few true experts. Our technician is the easily the best in the business and you can be sure that anything that can be done to salvage your lost information will be.

However, nothing is better than visual surveillance when gathering proof for any matter, but mobile phone data recovery is another possible avenue in the never-ending grab for information. For any of your private detective needs – call us - we are here to assist.

Should you need to contact us here at Lipstick Investigations in Sydney, Brisbane or on the Gold Coast, please call us at any time on 1300LIPSTICK. Alternatively your email will be responded to quickly at enquiries@lipstickinvestigations.com.au

What is the cost of a private investigator?

How much does a private investigator cost? Well, that is an excellent question. Private investigation in Australia is a fairly small industry sector, although it is still a competitive one. There are a number of small operators giving the impression that they are larger than they actually are, and a few unscrupulous operators as well. All private detectives are required to be licensed in their states of operation and this can confirmed with a simple check of the licensing authority in the state of operation.

So what is the cost ??…….. There are a variety of diverse services we offer and each product can vary in cost depending on the amount of hours, and expertise required. And to make things more unknown, most investigations don’t come with a fixed charge because we don’t know how long it will take to get the answers required……. think about it logically – it makes total sense. This is especially true for relationship investigations.

For example, nearly all spousal and relationship investigations today are solved by carrying out visual surveillance (following the subject) because this is one of the few legal directions we now have. Surveillance is charged at an hourly rate – not ‘per investigation’. It is a time based exercise until the results come your way, although some customers do have a precise timeframe that they need a private detective so they can work out what it will cost. For example at this time of year we are often called to investigate work Christmas parties because the client was not invited. So the client will often know the exact venue and times they want the partner watched – they can pretty much lock in the cost because it is a one-off event and they will know the hours required.

Surveillance is charged at an hourly rate of $95 per operative used on the job. Some investigations need two and even more operatives and the costs rise consequently. It can be difficult to calculate the typical outlay for a surveillance assignment but we would advise that somewhere in the vicinity of $1500 and $3000 would be quite standard. Many assignments come in at a lesser charge, and some can go way over this average as well. We have solved problems for as little as $380, and some customers have spent well into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Occasionally there may be another way to solve a relationship problem including background checks, general database inquiries, computer and mobile phone forensics. In these situations we really have to discuss circumstances of the issue and then we can work out how much it may cost to investigate these alternate directions. You may be pleasantly surprised that many matters may be cheaper than you would have imagined. Call us at any time and we are only too happy to advise further. That’s what we are here for.

Should you wish to contact us here at LipstickInvestigations in Sydney or Brisbane, Gold Coast or Tweed, please feel free to call us on 1300LIPSTICK, mobile on 0411 853 111 or email us directly at enquiries@lipstickinvestigations.com.au

Private Investigators and Relationships

Employing the services of a Sydney private investigator isn’t an easy decision; it is often a last resort. Whether trying to catch an unfaithful partner or look into the history of a potential business associate, it takes a great deal of thoughtfulness and professionalism to deal with such cases and the client places an enormous amount of trust in the private investigator. These frequently asked questions should offer readers with a comprehension of some of the issues that have to be considered very carefully before trying to catch a cheating spouse.

Is it ethical?

This is one of the most common anxieties when thinking about hiring a private investigator, especially when attempting to catch a cheater. If a secret affair could be described as two-faced and deceiving, then how would we describe the act of secretly employing an investigator to watch their every move?

Unfortunately, cases in which initial suspicions prove true account for the majority of matrimonial investigations, well over 80%  In these cases, there is hardly a moral case to argue as the suspicions of the client were proven true. Often, the suspecting spouse has given the cheating partner every chance to admit their affair, choosing only to turn to the help of a private investigator when the sequence of suspicion and lies continues again and again. But that doesn’t make the decision to hire a private investigator any easier – it is one of the hardest things you will ever do.

In cases when activities can be explained innocently, the moral and ethical case can seem less clear. But finding out that initial suspicions are incorrect can also bring long lasting peace of mind. In these cases the questioning party may choose to tell their partner which aspects of behaviour caused the suspicion in the first place, prompting them to change their ways and help re-establish trust within the relationship.

What steps can I take before hiring a licensed private detective?

If you are reading this article, it would seem that you already have strong suspicions that your partner is having an affair and feel that hiring a private investigator might offer a solution. But how can you be sure that you've taken every step to offer your cheating partner to admit infidelity? Confronting your partner may be enough to either confirm or allay your concerns. However, if you still have doubts, it’s time to call in the experts. The  other side of this point is that if you confront your partner before investigating the issue, then they have just be made aware that you are suspicious in the first place and this may encumber a surveillance investigation further down the track.

What if my spouse finds out I had them observed?

When attempting to catch a cheating partner it is most important to select the best private investigator for the job. An experienced private investigator will have all the necessary skill and know-how to carry out surveillance efficiently and discretely without compromising the client. Choosing the right private investigator is one of the most important factors that will determine the results achieved.

Do I really want to know the truth?

You already know the answer to that question. Finding out the truth can be one of the most overwhelming and painful moments that life can throw at you. For some relationships the damage is irreversible but others learn to work through their issues, emerging from the ordeal stronger and with a renewed sense of promise.

Should you wish to contact us here at Lipstick Investigations in Sydney or in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, please call us on 1300LIPSTICK or email us directly at enquiries@lipstickinvestigations.com.au

Infidelity and the Sydney Investigator

Relationships are getting increasingly complicated and involved. The number of infidelity and adultery cases is increasing and using a private investigator in Sydney is the safest way to gather evidence. We tend to suspect our spouses even with small changes in behaviour such as extra care with their appearance or when they start coming home late – or the big one nowadays – being protective of their mobile phone. This is a delicate issue, yet serious complications are involved here. There may or may not be an affair. Regardless of your suspicion being true or false, clashes are bound to exist if you do not confront your spouse with proper evidence. Again and again we know clients who have accused their partner of infidelity, only to be told they are crazy. If they had the proof first, then they would have the upper hand in settlement negotiations.

However confused and troubled you are by your spouse's suspected affair, it is important that you have patience and handle the problem in a proper way. First, you need to be sure that your suspicion is true. Although there are many "Catch a cheater" and "surveillance technology" devices available online, they can be illegal and you don't want to land into trouble by using them. Australian privacy laws are among the strictest in the world. There are chances that the device gives you wrong results which can cause serious trouble in your relationship. Instead, you can hire a licensed Sydney private investigator who will understand the specific details of your case and plan an investigation accordingly. When emotions and lives of two people are involved, its best to use a human to investigate the affair instead of using machines.

Our private investigators are experienced in handling many cases like yours and can professionally guide you in finding out whether your spouse is cheating on you or not. Once this is done, you also get the required evidence you need to confront your spouse about the adultery. The private detective may also advise you in confronting your spouse and on possible actions you could take in order to move ahead in your life.

In an emotionally draining phase such as having a cheating spouse, the investigator can be a pillar of support guiding you in taking the right steps in dealing with the matter.

LipstickInvestigations is Australia’s foremost agency in relationship and family law matters. If you have any questions, just call us on 1300 LIPSTICK or email us at enquiries@lipstickinvestigations.com.au

How to choose the best private investigator for you

How do you choose the best private investigator for your matter? A number of private investigators conduct professional investigations all across the state. It could be a matter of catching your cheating spouse (the specialty of Lipstick Investigations), finding your long lost friend or gathering evidence for the sake of your child custody. Whatever may be the case, only some of the agencies are proficient enough to deal with your investigation. If the agencies follow the federal, state and the local laws, you can be sure of the fact that the private investigator you have chosen is at least trained and licensed.

However the decision of hiring a private investigator absolutely depends on you. Don’t fall for a smooth talker promising you the world – a licensed private investigator can’t deliver the world. We can only do what the law allows us - think about it for a moment before making your decision.

Determine the type of your investigation:

You have to first decide about the type of investigation you are looking for. People appoint private investigators for varied reasons. You may need them for investigating into the historical past of someone, finding a lost person or helping you with a divorce. Different investigators have proficiency in different areas of investigation. In Australia, investigation itself is a relatively small field and most licensed investigators take on everything – although some tend to lean just towards surveillance, or skip tracing. Work out your requirements then decide.

Inquire about the license of an investigator:

You should also inquire about the license of an investigator. A good number of people perform the job of private investigation without a license. However it's always better to trust somebody who is having a proper license. In order to get the license, an investigator has to pass certain tests as well as background checks, and depending on the Australian state is monitored by the police or state government. Moreover with a license it becomes easier to inspect an investigation agency about its business for checking out whether it has any complaint or not. Do something as simple as Google the business – any bad press should surface quickly.

Make a written agreement:

It will always be a wise decision to make a written agreement. You should make a written agreement before hiring a private detective. This will help you to prevent any form of misunderstanding in future. Furthermore it will help to protect you legally. Some agencies have thick legal contracts, more for their protection than yours. But do get something in writing – an email will suffice – or even something as simple as an SMS – just so you know what page you are both on.

These are just a few simple considerations you can follow while hiring your private detective. Search for the best by weighing up these considerations and give your investigation the best chance of success. 

If you have any questions at all just call us on 1300LIPSTICK or send an email to enquiries@lipstickinvestigations.com.auwww.lipstickinvestigations.com.au

An Introduction to Private Investigation in Australia

Welcome to Lipstick Investigations, Australia’s highest profile relationships private investigators. We have an office in North Sydney just over the Harbour Bridge from the Sydney CBD where we have been since 1997. We also have an office in Broadbeach, on the beautiful Gold Coast of Queensland, opened in June 2010.

We have been carrying our private investigation services under the very same management right around Australia since our establishment in 1996. Our clients come from across Sydney and the Gold Coast as well as around Australia, and from as far afield as the United States of America and the United Kingdom. No assignment is too big or too small and over that period of time we have pretty much seen every scenario imaginable come through the door………

The methods used to gain results for our clients are wide and varied (to be discussed individually in later articles). However as we are licensed by the police in each state, we are bound by Australian laws which are quite strict so we aren’t prepared to plant listening devices or use vehicle trackers like other private detectives do in the movies. It also normally takes us more than an hour to solve a complex case – we obviously don’t have the resources of the CSI team!!

There are two main areas of private investigation used in Australia:

•  The first is surveillance. Surveillance is literally the art of following a person about and recording their movements - where they go – who they meet – what they do. This is the most common form of investigation for Lipstick Investigations. If you need to establish if your partner is cheating or committing infidelity or if you need information for an upcoming Family Law case then this is often the best way to document the events that are happening. It is nearly impossible for your spouse or partner to argue against video evidence!
• The second method we use to gather information is known as factual investigation. This entails pretty much anything that is not surveillance! For example, we will carry out computer inquiries from public and private databases, monitor social media such as Facebook and Twitter, we will analyse computer and telephone information, and we will go out and talk to people the get the answers you need.

Of course there are some cases which require an individual specialty – something completely different. There aren’t too many investigations cases we have not been able carry out, and there have been some AMAZING assignments over the years. We wish we could tell you, but of course privacy and client discretion are of utmost importance to us.

Stay tuned for regular updates. We will definitely keep you informed. If you have any questions in the meantime, just call us on 1300LIPSTICK or email us at enquiries@lipstickinvestigations.com.au at any time.