Private investigator for missing persons

Need a private investigator for a missing person? IFW is highly skilled in solving kidnapping, abduction and other missing persons cases across the globe.

Whether you need to find someone who has vanished in Australia or overseas, our missing persons investigation agency can uncover their whereabouts and determine if foul play has been involved.

From unsolved disappearances to ongoing police investigations, our licensed investigators can assist any case independently or in conjunction with law enforcement officials. With over 30 years of experience in finding missing persons through a worldwide network of resources, IFW conducts rigorous investigations that bring locations to light.

If you are a family member, legal professional or media organisation in need of answers, put a stop to futile search efforts and contact our private investigators as soon as possible.

As featured on

A private investigator for a missing person can provide:

• Case assessment to review all evidence, records, witness statements and the police brief of evidence (if available)
• Full database and open-source cyber investigations to locate people and identify their connections to family members, business associations and addresses
• Cyber intelligence to gather key information on suspects and missing persons
• Forensic investigation and electronic data analysis to uncover case details
• Preparation of recommendations for further investigations
• Media management to spread public awareness of the case
• Law enforcement liaison between the police investigation and family members, legal professionals or the media
• Identification of expert witnesses

Track down any type of missing person

Approximately 38,000 people are reported missing in Australia every year, 98% of whom are located alive. Moreover, as many as 64% of missing persons are found within the first 48 hours.

At IFW, our private investigators have the professional prowess to find anyone who has disappeared, no matter where or how. Discover the most common types of cases we solve below.

Voluntary missing persons

Often, a missing person has absconded intentionally. These individuals may want to avoid outstanding debts, legal duties, mental illness, family conflict, penalties for criminal behaviour, or even a prying public eye.

However, it is still possible to find them with the right resources and expertise. Our private investigators for missing persons can track down practically anyone, including:

• Runaway children and teenagers
• Debtors hiding from creditors
• Fugitives on the run from Police
• Friends or family members who have begun a new life elsewhere
• People who are trying to skip bail

Involuntary missing persons

Some missing persons are taken against their will through fraud or force, such as threats and violence. The offender’s motive is often financial gain or some other personal benefit.

Alternatively, individuals can get lost when in unfamiliar surroundings, intense weather, crowds, confusion or other disorientating elements. Therefore, involuntary missing persons may include:

• Hostages and captives
• Children who have become separated from their parents
• Adults with dementia or mental illness who have wandered away from their carers
• Adventurers who have lost their way on a hike, drive, boat ride or holiday
• People who have disappeared in a natural disaster
• Loved ones who have vanished inexplicably

How skip tracing works

Skip tracing refers to a private investigator’s endeavours to find a missing person, whether they disappeared suddenly or simply lost touch with a client over time. Whether you are searching for an old flame, a beneficiary of a deceased estate or a former partner who owed your child support payments, we follow a rigorous process to reveal their whereabouts.

First, we will meet with you for an in-depth interview, wherein we’ll ask questions to understand the missing person’s background, appearance, daily routine, risk factors, potential reasons for vanishing, behaviour before the disappearance and more.

Then our private investigators for missing persons will conduct an online search of public records, as well as exclusive databases. Our expert team will scour this information for clues to the missing person’s location, looking at details such as:

• Invoices and leases;
• Employment records;
• Vehicle registrations;
• Electoral roll;
• Credit check databases;
• Social media activity; and
• Media reports.

In many cases, this data search is sufficient in finding the missing person. Other times, further investigation is required. This can involve:

• Interviewing friends, family and colleagues;
• Accessing and analysing the missing person’s devices, such as a computer or mobile phone;
• Inspecting places where the missing person used to frequent; and
• Liaising with local Police in the jurisdiction where the person was last seen.

A missing persons investigation agency with a proven track record

30+ years experience

Kidnappings, abductions and disappearances are tense situations, demanding expertise and attention to detail. With backgrounds including law enforcement, foreign intelligence, military special forces and security, our investigators can tackle any case.

Tailored & thorough investigations

No two cases are the same. That’s why IFW utilises a meticulous and methodical process to unravel layers of connections, movements and activities – rather than a predetermined procedure. This approach allows for continuous adaptation to the unique situation as it unfolds.

Global network of resources

With vast open-source intelligence capabilities and direct access to state and federal databases abroad, IFW gathers actionable intelligence and evidence in local and foreign jurisdictions. In addition, IFW utilises well established strategic alliances and relationships with law enforcement, media and regulatory bodies around the world.

Sophisticated techniques

From database research and communication intelligence to witness interviews and forensic investigation, IFW utilises a variety of digital and physical resources to uncover powerful information that helps to track down missing persons as fast as possible.

Evidence of success

IFW is a highly accomplished missing persons investigation agency. With multiple law enforcement awards for professionalism and scores of success stories, our licensed investigators are world-renowned for their ability to locate fugitives, family members, or those who have mysteriously vanished.

Strict confidentiality

Trusted for our strong levels of confidentiality and sensitivity, IFW never discloses case details without consent. To protect clients’ privacy, all personal data is encrypted and any featured investigation focuses on the processes used to solve the case.

“Cyber Assets Retrieval Services is the real deal, meticulous, detailed work, honest and professional. I was searching for a PI for more than a month before I found them. If you are searching for a Private Investigator be prepared to enjoy the ride as you come across a myriad of cowboys who will let you know (with great confidence) that they are ‘highly experienced’. After contacting more than ten companies I still had not found anyone that I felt confident with. After speaking to Ken Gamble, (Director of IFW Global ) I knew I had met someone ‘real’ , whose company would do my job properly, the way I needed it done. They were polite and completely professional at all times (no cowboys here). If your job is important , you have high standards and you need the investigation done with a highly experienced meticulous operator , I recommend IFW Global.”