REBECCA C looks like a woman who loves outdoor and social gatherings. With shoulder-length hair, and a plain white shirt worn over a pair of black jeans, she smiles sheepishly as she is asked to pose for photographs.

Multi-talented, Rebecca is a lawyer by qualification but opted to be a private investigator. And when she is not being nosey, she loves to do research and produce pre-school education syllabus and books.

The 47-year-old has been a PI with leading investigating firm, MVD International, for the past eight years. She describes it as an exciting journey.

"I have always liked investigative adventures like the ones in the movies. In Asia, there were never really any professional PI agencies until early 2000. The closest I could decide then was to pursue a law degree."

Upon returning from London, she became a lecturer for seven years. Then, Rebecca was introduced to MVD International by a senior lawyer.

"I could not believe that such a well set up PI agency was actually operating in the country. I applied and before I knew it, I was busy handling confidential data. It was an eye opener on how in-depth a PI's work could be," she says.

A woman in a male-dominated industry?

"Often people would imagine a PI to be a mysterious looking man in a trenchcoat, trying to get as much information as he could without being noticed. Don't be fooled, as the PI may be the person you'd least expect," says Rebecca with a twinkle in her eye.

She adds that in fact women make great detectives as they attract less attention on the field.

In her jeans and leather jacket, Rebecca can easily pass off as a college student.

"We can blend in to almost any environment. We can go to a futsal game, go-kart racing, shopping or even boxing, to obtain evidences. People will not raise their eyebrows. However, the male investigators may find it difficult to attend a lingerie fashion show to investigate a fashion designer," says Rebecca.

From desk duties to stakeouts

She started as a desk intelligence officer in 2004 before her true potential was discovered by her boss two years later.

"My first assignment was a stakeout on a gambling den in Penang. I was with three other male PIs.

How was it?

"How can you forget spending three nights in a graveyard opposite the target's house surviving on only bread and water!"

Asked what she enjoys most about the job, Rebecca says: "People watching. When you couple that with extensive traveling, you realise that the world is such a unique place."

Rebecca now heads the Venus Team in MVD, focusing on issues involving women clients. "But by no means am I a female chauvinist," she quickly adds.

"It is just that matrimonial investigations are such emotional situations, so we often deal with traumatised female clients. They are more open with another woman. At the same time, I also maintain good rapport with all my male clients and they have no problems dealing with a female private investigator."

Rebecca is also in charge of the Catch Cheating Spouse programme. "You may have seen the ads on taxis and buses in the Klang Valley."

Outside the PI world 

"If I share my lifestyle outside my world as a PI, then I am not a good PI!" she jokes.

On a more serious note, Rebecca describes herself as an "ordinary girl", who also loves doing what other girls love to do - gossiping, shopping, watching movies and getting pampered.

"The only difference is I may have a spy camera tucked neatly in my Salvatore Ferragamo handbag!"

"Besides that, I have written a few pre-school syllabus and books which are now being used here and in Singapore. This is something I like to do when time permits. At work, I am nicknamed the 'Kindergarten Cop'."

Important investigating skills 

"The most important thing is a love for the career. Being a PI you need to be prepared for many days of outdoor activities. You can never work alone as a PI. A good report is always a result of a good team work."

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