Private Detectives Thrive in Debt Collection Business Amid Financial Crisis
The global financial crisis, which has severely impacted industries such as finance, foreign trade, and manufacturing, has also brought significant changes to the private detective industry.
Debt Collection Surges by 10%
Wang Dong, a private detective with four years of experience in Beijing, primarily investigates extramarital affairs. Since November last year, he has been receiving numerous inquiries about debt collection services: "What are the fees? Is there a time limit? What happens if the collection is unsuccessful?"
Although debt collection is not his main business, Wang Dong patiently explains each time: "Fees are calculated on a commission basis, usually 20% to 30% of the debt amount. The term is generally one month. If the collection is unsuccessful, the costs incurred during this period are borne by us."
Roughly estimated, Wang Dong's received debt collection cases have increased by 10%. To address this, Wang Dong and his team have been busy helping suppliers recover debts from suddenly bankrupt foreign trade factories whose bosses fled with the money.
"An increase of 10% is relatively small. In the south, private detectives' debt collection business is skyrocketing, and many colleagues no longer focus on extramarital affair investigations," Wang Dong learned within the industry. According to reports, due to the financial crisis, the international debt collection alliance's business volume in China has also increased by 20% this year.
Wang Dong feels that debt collections are now being pursued more urgently: "We offer a one-month deadline, but clients often demand half a month, even if it means higher commissions. Everyone wants their funds back as soon as possible."
"Don't think turning off your phone will make you invisible"
On March 10th, Wang Dong successfully completed a debt collection case. A Shanghai company supplied raw materials to a Beijing-based chemical export company. One day, the Shanghai side noticed that the usual timely payment had disappeared. Upon contact, they found out that the chemical export company had closed due to economic difficulties, and the representative responsible for receiving goods in Beijing had turned off his phone.
Wang Dong took on the case involving a 270,000 yuan debt. Finding the legal representative who had turned off his phone was easy for a private detective, despite Wang Dong not revealing the specific methods used. However, according to some publicity, private detectives are skilled in various techniques and possess advanced professional equipment.
Wang Dong appeared before the legal representative as an external employee of the Shanghai company. "He thought that turning off his phone would prevent us from finding him, so he was already nervous." Not only was he nervous, but the legal representative was also helpless against Wang Dong's two tactics - tearful pleas: "Please return the payment, or our company employees will starve," and persistent pursuit: "Wherever he went, we followed, even into the restroom until he became annoyed."
"Many people might think we use violent means to collect debts, but that's not true. We absolutely do not engage in illegal activities," Wang Dong said, raising his head.
Not Wanting His Daughter to Know About This Profession
Despite disliking the title "second wife killer," most of Wang Dong's business over the past four years has been extramarital affair investigations.
Standing at 1.74 meters, Wang Dong was not initially favored during his interview four years ago when he entered the profession. "It's best to be under 1.7 meters tall, with a common face that blends into a crowd." Despite this, Wang Dong's cleverness from years of working in advertising helped him enter the field.
During his first assignment following his mentor, Wang Dong conducted an extramarital affair investigation. Facing a sobbing client, Wang Dong felt a sense of righteous duty: "Getting rid of the third party is my responsibility."
After a week of learning from his mentor, Wang Dong started working independently. Within that week, he understood the details - fees were generally between 5,000 to 6,000 yuan, providing a week-long itinerary of the investigated person. Special expenses like dining at high-end restaurants required approval from the client; otherwise, they were self-funded.
Now, as a seasoned private detective, Wang Dong has summarized trends in extramarital investigations - previously, almost all clients were women investigating men, but now men also investigate women. The majority of investigated men are aged between 28 to 37, a high-risk period for infidelity.
In his car trunk, Wang Dong keeps costumes for disguises, typically posing as meter readers, telecommunications, or gas company employees. Sometimes, he even attaches a fake mustache.
"Is it 11 PM already, and you're still not done?" After tracking someone all day, Wang Dong received a call from his wife. He replied, "I'll finish once this man goes home. You go to sleep." Witnessing countless extramarital stories, Wang Dong says he remains committed to his marriage.
"If I could find a stable job with decent income tomorrow, I wouldn't do this today." Wang Dong isn't tired of the work but feels it lacks legitimacy. His parents in Shandong don't know about his job, nor will he let his daughter know.
Walking a Tightrope
Wang Dong is cautious. He agreed to the interview after considering for two days, maintaining single-line contact with the journalist and adjusting the interview location frequently. Beforehand, he asked the journalist to ensure: "Don't have any bias against private detectives, or we won't talk."
Wang Dong repeatedly expresses confusion: "Can the country recognize us? If not, why do so many people need us?"
This confusion and awkwardness aren't limited to just Wang Dong. In 1993, the Ministry of Public Security issued a notice prohibiting the establishment of private detective agencies. Currently, there is no public law in China either banning or allowing private detectives, leaving them operating in a gray area.
Their lives resemble walking a tightrope, with any misstep leading to dangerous territory. This danger arises because their investigative methods and tracking activities can infringe on citizens' privacy, objectively harming personal rights. However, Wang Dong argues: "If you're affectionate in public, we can take pictures. We're not following you into your home."
Song Shaofu, the chief lawyer at Tiantan Law Firm, stated that the definition of civilian investigation rights is unclear. It's difficult to determine what private detectives can or cannot do. However, he hopes that civilians should have certain investigation rights and advocates for prompt legislation.
Source: Beijing Evening News