Most people never imagine they will need a private investigator. Then something happens: a relationship stops making sense, a relative goes silent, an inheritance turns into a dispute, someone owes you money and disappears, or a stranger online will not leave you alone. For people living in a country that is not their own, or for families abroad with ties to Greece, the uncertainty is even greater.
The office of Petros Drolias, licensed private investigator in Athens since the early 1990s, has handled more than 1,500 cases in 14 countries. A large share of them came from individuals and families who needed a calm, experienced professional on their side.
The situations individuals bring to us
Every personal case is different, but some situations come up again and again.
Relationships and marriage. Doubts about a partner's faithfulness, or the wish to verify a future spouse's background before marriage, especially when that person's past lies in another country or another culture. We work by observation in public places and by checking public records, never by intercepting communications.
Family and inheritance. Greek estates often include property in villages and on islands, relatives who emigrated generations ago and records that are far from complete. We trace heirs, locate assets and document facts for your lawyer, which is particularly helpful for heirs who live abroad.
Missing relatives and lost contact. When an adult family member stops answering, we help find out where they are and whether they are safe, working alongside the police when appropriate and respecting the person's right to choose whether to reconnect.
Debts and unpaid money. A private loan, a deposit that was never returned, a court judgment against someone who has moved away: we locate debtors and identify assets through public registries and lawful enquiries.
Teenagers. Parents worried about drugs, dangerous friendships, bullying or online risks can turn to us for discreet, proportionate help.
Online threats and privacy. Cyberstalking, blackmail, fake profiles and personal information published online, as well as checks of your own phone or home for spyware and hidden devices.
Why individuals choose a licensed investigator
There are many people online who claim they can "find anything". Some of them use methods that are illegal in Greece, such as phone interception or account hacking. Apart from exposing you to criminal liability, such methods produce evidence that is inadmissible under Article 19(3) of the Greek Constitution and could undermine your position in any later dispute.
A licensed private investigator works within the law: Article 19 of the Constitution, Article 370A of the Penal Code, the GDPR and Law 4624/2019. That is not a limitation on the quality of the work; it is what makes the results usable. Our reports can be read by your lawyer, used in negotiations and, where appropriate, submitted in court.
Our approach to personal matters
Personal cases carry emotional weight. Our first conversation is about listening and understanding, not selling. We help you separate what you need to know from what you fear, and we are honest when an investigation is not the right answer.
If it is, you receive a clear, written plan and cost estimate before any work begins. The investigation is carried out discreetly, with updates at agreed intervals. At the end, you receive a factual report with a timeline, findings and, where relevant, photographs or video taken lawfully in public places.
For clients living abroad, distance is not an obstacle. We hold the consultation by phone or video call, agree everything in writing and keep you informed in English throughout. Many clients never need to travel to Greece at all.
Taking the first step
It is normal to feel hesitant about calling an investigator. You do not have to decide anything in the first conversation. Call us 24/7, send a confidential message through our contact page or book a consultation. If you would like to organise your thoughts first, our free self-check tools can help.