Missing Person & Locate Services
• Missing Persons • Skip Tracing • Debtor Locates • Heir Searches • Family Member Locates
Extensive experience handling cross-cultural, international, and Chinese-speaking client matters.
This agency is a professionally licensed private investigation firm authorized by the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS). We provide highly confidential, professional investigative services to private individuals, corporations, law firms, insurance companies, and government entities. Services include civil and commercial investigations, background investigations, surveillance and evidence gathering, multi-jurisdictional information verification, as well as a wide range of other investigative matters. Supported by a multi-tiered investigative network and extensive interstate coordination capabilities, we serve clients throughout the United States and can extend our investigative reach internationally when required by the nature of a case.
“Eddie was the best investigator I ever had. He was professional, efficient, resourceful, hard-working and overall a great asset to our case. I would recommend him to anyone for their case.”
— Criminal Attorney Meline, Former CA District Attorney
Eddie zhao
Eddie Zhao is a California Licensed Private Investigator and the founder of American Professional Investigations. Since 1999, he has provided investigative services to individuals, businesses, attorneys, and international clients throughout the United States and beyond.
With extensive experience navigating both Chinese and American cultural environments, Mr. Zhao has developed a unique understanding of the challenges faced by immigrant communities, international businesses, and cross-border clients. Over the course of his career, he has assisted with a wide range of matters involving background investigations, asset investigations, fraud inquiries, corporate intelligence, and international investigative support.
Mr. Zhao’s professional work and commitment to serving the Chinese-American community have been recognized by major media outlets, including a featured profile in the Los Angeles Times. Through decades of investigative work, he has remained dedicated to helping clients obtain reliable information, manage risk, and protect their interests.
He believes that the purpose of an investigation is not only to uncover facts, but also to provide clients with clarity, confidence, and a trusted path forward.
Service recognition
Recognized by U.S. government agencies and the communities we serve.
Services
Litigation Support
• Witness Interviews • Locate Witnesses • Asset Investigations • Evidence Collection • Background Investigations • Social Media Investigations • Court & Legal Support
Asset & Financial Investigations （Cross-Border Asset Investigations）
• Asset Searches • Property Ownership Research • Judgment Recovery Support • Business Ownership Investigations • Hidden Asset Investigations • China-Based Asset Investigations • U.S. Asset Investigations • Family-Owned Business Investigations • Overseas Asset Transfer Investigations • Hidden Asset Investigations in Divorce Matters
Cryptocurrency & Digital Asset Investigations
• Blockchain Transaction Tracing • Cryptocurrency Asset Tracing • Stolen Digital Asset Investigations • Concealed Cryptocurrency Asset Investigations • Cross-Chain Transaction Analysis • Cryptocurrency Laundering Investigations • Digital Asset Recovery Support
Family & Estate Investigations
• Overseas Heir Location Services • Family Asset Investigations • Missing Relative Searches • Undisclosed Marriage Investigations • China-Based Relationship & Network Investigations
Surveillance Investigations
• Insurance Fraud Investigations • Workers Compensation Surveillance • Domestic Investigations • Activity Checks • Cohabitation Investigations
International Due Diligence
Cross-border background and asset checks on overseas individuals, partners, and companies before you invest or sign.
Cyber & Digital Investigations
Trace online fraud, impersonation, and data breaches through digital forensics, device analysis, and open-source intelligence.
Corporate Investigation Services
Due diligence, internal misconduct inquiries, and competitive intelligence for businesses and their counsel.
Background Investigations
Pre-employment, tenant, partner, and personal background checks with thorough, court-admissible reporting.
Chinese Community Commercial Fraud
Bilingual investigation and asset recovery for trade, investment, and business fraud targeting the Chinese community.
Trusted by Attorneys
“Eddie was the best investigator I ever had. He was professional, efficient, resourceful, hard-working and overall a great asset to our case. I would recommend him to anyone for their case.”
Criminal Attorney Meline
Former CA District Attorney
✓ Signed satisfaction form
“Work is always performed very promptly and professionally. I have never been disappointed. You are the first one I think of when I need an investigator.”
Business Attorney Kenneth
✓ Signed satisfaction form
“Your work is top quality, reports very detailed, witnesses found and interviewed. I always rely on your assistance on difficult cases.”
Criminal Attorney Sanford
Former CA District Attorney
✓ Signed satisfaction form
Client Results
Missing Person
“My daughter had been missing for two years. I had visited the police station countless times to request help, instead I received cold and impolite responses. Crying nearly every day, I was introduced to Mr. Zhao through a friend. Within just a few months he found the child I had been longing for day and night. She had moved to another state, but Mr. Zhao still located her. What can I say other than that Mr. Zhao is an angel sent by God? I share this so anyone in a similar situation knows they can come to him for help. I am confident his dedication and ability can help.”
Commercial Fraud
“In February 2014, our company was defrauded of $2.7 million USD in goods by a Los Angeles company. After retaining Mr. Wei Zhao, he located the swindler's hidden assets within days and quickly froze them, recovering the full amount along with all our expenses. Truly grateful to Mr. Zhao for going above and beyond to help victims.”
Commercial Fraud
“The former chairman of Southern Securities, while fleeing to the United States with embezzled funds, opportunistically took my friends' money with him. Friends in China asked me to help locate him in the US. After multiple recommendations, I chose Chinese-American investigator Wei Zhao to handle this case. In a very short time he provided extremely detailed information — the man's and his family's exact addresses, banking records, identity status, and movements. My friends in China and I are very pleased with the professionalism of Investigator Zhao's service. We strongly recommend this investigator. Outstanding!”