Super sleuth's life in the shadows
It's risky business for leading private detective Meng Guanggang, who has revealed a few trade secrets in his autobiography. |
So he brought along a dog, let it loose inside the grounds and then used the decoy to collect samples for his client whose profits were dropping because of the rip-off blades.
This is just one of many tales from Meng's years as a private investigator, during which time he has become the most famous name in a hush-hush industry.
Established in the 1990s, his company, Liaoning Kedun Private Detective Institution, is still the only one allowed to use "private detective" as its company registration name.
Kedun is the Chinese translation of the world's first private detective, Allan Pinkerton.
But despite his unique position, the 56-year-old is hesitant to let the public know who he is and what he looks like.
He dresses conservatively, always in black and dark blue suits. As for his office, you'd imagine that Sam Spade from The Maltese Falcon would feel right at home.
A black root-carved eagle is the boldest decoration, the furnishings comprising an out-dated wooden desk, chair and book case.
Meng said he got the eagle from South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in 1993 when his business as private detective started.
"An eagle soars high in the sky and observes everything beneath. That's what I'm looking for."
Dangerous business
Meng's business includes looking for the other woman, digging out swindlers, protecting brand names and intellectual property.
But brand protection and counterfeiting prevention is Meng's core business.
"No private detective has ever done this, not even Sherlock Holmes," said Meng with a smile.
Shenmei Diary Company, founded in 1982, was the first joint venture in Liaoning and northeastern China. Its product, Rhino razor blade was very popular in the 1990s and the company's annual profit surpassed 20 million yuan ($ 2.6 million).
But in 1994, the company discovered that fake Rhino blades had flooded the market, cutting into Shenmei's profits.
The company then approached Meng to track down the fraudsters' factory, which led to his distraction trick with the dog.
Eventually, he gained the trust of a factory worker and collected all the proof they needed.
"The ultimate difference between a private detective and public enforcement is secrecy. We start the case secretly, check it secretly and complete it secretly," said Meng.
"This is the biggest challenge but also the most exciting part of the job."
But for all of the thrills, the snooping has also seen Meng get into his fair share of trouble.
His car was set on fire and he was chased by a swarm of gangsters. He credits his escapes to his experience and assistance from past colleagues.
In recent years, Meng has stayed away from highly dangerous cases and now focuses on security consultancy instead.
Shock decision 
Like most Chinese born in the 1950s, Meng went to the countryside to "receive reeducation" and went back to Shenyang of Northeast China's Liaoning Province in his 30s. Then he became a policeman in the early 1980s.
From patrolman to police station chief, he spent over two decades detecting and catching criminals. It seemed that Meng was set to make it his life career.
But surprisingly, the middle-aged Meng resigned from his well-paid job and set up his own private detective company in 1993.
In an autobiography published recently, Meng writes that his decision was spurred by the death of his young son of cancer in 1989.
For three years, the grieving father could hardly concentrate on his work until he changed to private investigation, which demands more attention and caution.
"I must be strong and carry on because I would never let him down," he says in My Life as a Private Detective.
Due to their special line of work, private detectives have not been officially allowed in China. Yet the demand for their services is growing. According to Meng, most of them work under the name of business consultant or advanced security professionals.
The gumshoe says he sees his work as an extension of law and order.
"What I did in the past decade is to help people seek justice. We try to provide some benefit to the public judicial system," said Meng.
Meng hopes his autobiography gives outsiders some insight into the private detective industry in China.
"All of these stories are what I did in the past decade. They are not fictions, they are absolutely true."
After a decade, Meng's company has become the leader of the industry. His reputation has also spread overseas, helping him attract international clients.
Meng plans to set up offices all over the country, including Beijing sometime this year. He also wants to push forward private investigation industry legislation.
"I have dealt with hundreds of cases in the past decade. I am honored to be part of this new industry," Meng said.
(China Daily 03/01/2007 page20)
