Q Investigation Services Cambridge

BermudaBlue

I too have paid money for training, although I did enjoy the training, but have been applying for, as directed, cases and to date not received any work. I am really disappointed as I am a single parent trying to keep my head above water and this was a large amount to pay for the training. I thought if I invested this money into my future it would help me earn a living wage, but unfortunately now I am broke - or almost broke.

Learned a very hard lesson. Thought I had better judgement than I had !!!!!

PlutoinCapricorn

I hope that Q Investigations get what they deserve.

I wonder whether there is any chance at all of getting some money back: has anyone got any progress to report?

bobfromlondon

I know a litle bit about this field and although slightly off the Q Investigations topic, but I hope it can help those wanting to move into the PI field as a career.

Qualifications - there as, at the time of writing no set qualifications for PI work. The Security Industry Authority keeps putting back regulation. There are reputable courses offered by the two main associations, viz Institutte of Proffesional Investigators and the Association of British Investigators. It is the same course and costs around £350. It is not necessary to do this course to work as a PI.

About 80% of all investigators are not members of any proffesional body, and most are self employed. Obviously regulation would increase the membership of the two bodies I mentioned. So they have an interest. ABI is £350 a year and IPI about £170.

There are a couple of specialist associations such as EPIC (ex police only) and ACFE (fraud examiners only). The rest may be given a miss.

To be fair to the ABE, it is trying to put together a career structure for new joiners who are not ex-police, customs etc. Alan Blaney is the fellow to google.

Re getting work. First a lot comes through networking - google IPI or ABI events and seminars. You pay about £50 to attend but don't have to be a member. Collect as many cards as you can and give out your own. Invite people out for coffee. I found the IPI staff more personable. Don't bother approaching existing companies or agents. You will be lucky if you get a reply, after all you are their competition.

Second for getting work - generate it yourself then approach an existing agent with it and ask to be in on the job. That way you are giving something and getting the exerience back in return. To generate work - advertise, write to solicitors or contact solicitors agents firms.

The last is quite useful because it gives a feel for the machinery behind PI work. Google "solicitors agents" or "sign-ups" and contact them. Most have more work than they can shake a stick at. It is pretty boring initially and mainly involves document signing and collection for traffic accidents. But it gets the foot in the door and earns money.

strepsils

You should request a refund, get it on record.

strepsils

Agree totally - the CFA and Tracing work is a bit mundane, however it does give you a flavour for the job.

kilothree

I know in my last post I did say it would be my last post but Q have changed their Modus Operandi yet again.

On 6 November their website said their Live Case database was being upgraded and would be available the following day. Each day after that the message was updated as the upgrade was taking longer than anticipated.

And now it appears we no longer 'Express An Interest@ in a case we ’Register For Cases’ and let Q know our availability and they will allocate us a case. Currently there is no access to the Live Cases.

On the positive side this means that anybody thinking of signing up to Q no longer has access to their Live Case Database.

When I was given access to cases they were listed by Postcode or Town/City and there was a brief description of the case and the number of cases were around 40-50.

We then moved to Regions and no information about the case.

Along came the £95 a month fee and direct access to the Live Case Database and the case numbers multiplied from around 40-50 to 600-650 in a week.

And now no access/no details.

madampup

Further to my recent posts, I now note that a number of the contact telephone lines for this organisation appear to have been disconnected. It also appears to be more or less impossible to contact them via the sole remaining landline. I have had my training fee refunded , but still intend to pursue them in respect of breach of contract. It also appears that they are no longer recruiting!!! (if they ever were!!!)

madampup

I very much doubt if there were ever any "live" cases. It seems more likely that they were works of fiction as is the organisation itself.

Noodles#1

Don't waste your time making a visit to Histon HQ, its just a virtual office and address rented off of Regus, as is the 'Nationwide Offices' available for Investigator/Client meetings offered! After lots of emails to John (General Manager) and William asking for some sort of evidence of authenticity, and a face to face meet, I've had no joy with either. The question still begs though, it seems an awfully big and ellaborate effort to con people out of a few hundred quid doesn't it? i really don't know, I'm going to see what if any developments I get in the next week or so then start to take action.

Genuine_Investigator

I own and run an private investigation company based in London, although I have never had any dealings with Q investigations I only became aware of the earlier this year when I started getting calls from people who were "qualified investigators" looking for a job after obtaining a qualification from Q investigations. On average I get 2 of these calls per week and explaining that there is no such thing as a qualified private investigator in the UK and there are very very few employed investigators has become a bit of a bore.
The reason I'm posting this on here is because I hate to see honest people getting scammed by this company and the vast majority of them are actually ex service men looking for a new career.
Good luck and avoid Q investigations