The Rise of Social Media-Based Private Investigators in the Age of Infidelity
At 6 am, a man’s car is still outside a woman’s apartment. Hours later, they emerge holding hands, heading to a farmer’s market where they kiss and hug publicly. A private investigator named Stephanie A. (online as Your Fav Investigator) sends videos of the interaction to the man’s wife, who hired her to check for suspected infidelity. Stephanie, 39, has been working as a PI for 12 years. She shares stakeout videos on TikTok and Instagram with titles like 'Trust your gut … CASE CLOSED!' and 'Pickleball or cheating?' These videos, which obscure the man’s face and personal details, have been liked by over 85,000 people. Stephanie focuses on helping women find peace of mind through surveillance, noting that women often blend in better during investigations. She charges $650 for surveillance cases and has built a growing career via social media. Other PIs like Cassie Crofts (Venus Investigations) and Nicola Fox Hamilton also use social media to provide background checks and support women navigating relationships. Cases range from infidelity to trafficking, but PIs emphasize client privacy and avoid revealing identifying details. The rise of online shaming has sparked debates about public accountability, with experts warning of the risks of cyberbullying and victim-blaming.