Detective agency Lancers Network Ltd. has seen a surge in marriage-related requests, underlining the shift from traditional fixed marriages in India, reports the Asahi Shimbun.
The marriage market is proving to be a gold mine: sleuthing costs range from 25,000 rupees to 420,000 rupees ($44 to $7,468) depending on the depth of information one requires on their prospective spouse. Investigation includes information on divorce history, work experience, estate, family relations or past romantic involvements – and uses various methods, including snooping on Facebook. The shift away from traditional marriage arranged by close relatives has prompted the new trend, according to the company.
Singh, of Lancers Network, also president of the Association of Private Detectives and Investigators, India, said that demand for the services soared once people knew that it was available, with the market tripling in size from 5 billion rupees in 2007. The number of companies increased from 30 in 2005 to 400, with almost 15,000 detectives on the search.
