The vast majority of requests related to suspected treason. Social networks and cell phones change detectives’ work.
When we talk about investigation, we usually think of the Judiciary Police, the courts, and Portuguese Justice in general. But there is also a lot of work private investigators in Portugal.
And the trend points to a climb in the search for private detectives: 7% more this year, so far, according to data from Fixando.
The same platform predicts a total growth of 15% by the end of 2026. And most orders (88%) tem response by two private investigators.
The study released this Wednesday shows that, by far, the majority of private investigation requests are related to suspected betrayal, adultery: occupies 69% of searches.
Much further down are questions of surveillance (9%), people missing (8%) and search for assets hidden (7%).
Alice Nunes, director of new business at Fixando, indicates that there is a factor that has transformed the routine of private investigators: “The cell phone and social media have also become important sources of research.”
Nowadays, many private investigations start with something…public: analysis of social networks, digital patterns and online public information.
In-person surveillance continues to be applied, but now research is growing OSINT — based on the collection and analysis of public and digital information.
Digital information is analyzed and public data is crossed, which leads to faster and more detailed investigations.
But the investigated end up helpinginvoluntarily: the digital exhibition is greater, there is greater ease of communication through applications and social networks.
Most people who look for private investigators have between 30 and 60 years old.
Even with this evident search, even with this public disclosure of data, a warning remains: the private investigator profession continues without legal frameworkin Portugal.
