McKinnon Investigative Group provides licensed private investigation services across Wellington and Palm Beach County for the community’s permanent and seasonal residents.
Memberships & Affiliations
Led by François McKinnon, a veteran investigator with over 30 years of South Florida field experience, our team provides the strategic insight required for high-stakes legal and corporate investigations.
Based in South Florida, McKinnon Investigative Group Inc has earned a reputation in Wellington for professionalism, clear communication, and reliable results.
With over three decades of field experience, our licensed Wellington investigators specialize in high-stakes surveillance, complex corporate due diligence, and sensitive domestic matters.
We navigate the unique cultural and legal landscape of Wellington, from the the iconic Beehive to the upscale neighborhood of Thorndon to the surrounding professional districts, to provide our clients with a distinct local advantage and results they can rely on.
Conducting investigations in Wellington requires an intimate understanding of the city’s diverse terrain, from the Business 1 and Business 2 to the residential communities of Palm Beach Polo and Grand Prix Village. At McKinnon Investigative Group Inc, we provide seamless, low-profile coverage across the entire Palm Beach metro area, ensuring our field agents are always positioned for rapid response and optimal surveillance positioning.
– Central Business District – West Park – The Mall at Wellington Green – Wellington Business Center
– Olympia – The Isles at Wellington – Grand Isles – Versailles
– The Mall at Wellington Green – Lambton Quay – Courtyard Plaza – Wellington Plaza
Our private investigation firm provides a full suite of services in Wellington, including surveillance, background checks, and due diligence. Handled with professional reliability and absolute discretion, our work focuses on delivering courtroom-ready results. Our team’s deep familiarity with the Palm Beach County area ensures excellence for legal and private clients.
Serving high-profile clients and family cases throughout Miami and Miami Beach.
Detailed reporting on living conditions, parental conduct, and potential risks.
Trusted by Miami businesses from Brickell to Doral to uncover fraud, misconduct, and internal risks.
Analysis of digital activity and patterns to support legal or personal matters.
Screen potential employees, partners, or personal connections thoroughly.
Identify risks before mergers, investments, or major financial commitments.
Get clarity in sensitive family matters like abuse, dishonesty, or hidden finances.
Uncover the truth behind suspicious claims with thorough surveillance.
McKinnon Investigative Group Inc is here to provide discreet, professional support backed by over 30 years of trusted experience. We offer a no-obligation, confidential consultation to discuss the specifics of your case, outline a strategic investigative plan, and explain the legal pathways to securing the evidence you require.
Most clients reach out to McKinnon Investigative Group Inc. when their intuition suggests a discrepancy, but they lack the objective evidence required to take legal or personal action. In a high-speed hub like Wellington, these red flags often manifest in specific ways. If you are experiencing any of the following, a confidential consultation is the necessary next step to protect your interests.
Sudden shifts in business cash flow or personal spending in Wellington often signal hidden assets. We specialize in tracing these ‘digital footprints’ across Palm Beach County’s financial networks.
Rapid changes in work hours or travel routines are often the first indicators of infidelity.
If your counsel cannot locate a witness or uncover assets in the 15th, we provide the field research that databases alone cannot offer.
When child safety is at stake in the 15th, we act as a ‘silent witness,’ documenting conduct to support your case in Palm Beach family court.
Suspicion of payroll abuse, inventory shrinkage, or workers’ compensation fraud can cripple a business. We conduct internal audits and discreet employee surveillance to protect your bottom line and legal liability.
Before a high-profile marriage or business deal in Wellington, our due diligence deep-dives vet the reputation and history of your potential partners.
If your profession or lifestyle makes you a target, waiting for a threat to manifest is a mistake. We provide threat assessments and low-profile protection to mitigate risks before they become incidents.
Choosing a PI in Wellington requires caution, as most Florida firms lack the 30-year veteran leadership essential for sensitive cases. Navigating the 2026 FDACS licensing landscape demands expertise. Our rigorous Palm Beach County protocols ensure all evidence is gathered legally, providing the professional, court-admissible results your legal integrity depends on.
We begin with a deep-dive consultation to define your objectives, identify legal constraints, and establish a specialized investigative scope tailored to the Wellington landscape.
Design a discreet investigative plan for Wellington clients, strictly adhering to FL Stat. §493 standards. We deliver comprehensive, ethical results fully prepared for professional Palm Beach County legal review and proceedings.
Utilizing high-resolution optics and advanced fieldcraft, our investigators execute the plan with maximum discretion.
You receive a professional, chronological report supported by time-stamped media and affidavits ready for legal review in the 15th Judicial Circuit or personal clarity.
When necessary, we work directly with your counsel to coordinate findings, providing the sworn testimony needed to move your case forward in Palm Beach courts.
Wellington’s role as a major hub for Public Administration and Safety and VIP activity creates unique security challenges.
Our executive protection services focus on discretion, meticulous preparation, and seamless movement through the Palm Beach County landscape.
Feel confident that you are hiring highly experienced professionals for your investigation.
We will show up at the scheduled time and complete the investigation in a prompt and efficient manner.
Our highly experienced investigators will provide you with optimal results.
Years of combined experience in the professional investigative field
Successful investigations completed across a wide range of cases
Countries Where We Have Conducted Investigations
Work with a fully compliant agency operating under FL Statute §493.
Expertise in Wellington includes navigating equestrian estates and master-planned communities while managing complex Palm Beach County court logistics and filings.
No two cases are the same. We adapt our approach to your objectives.
Our team brings an elite level of training and insight to complex investigations.
As a premier affluent residential community in Palm Beach County, Wellington requires discreet, professional investigative services. Our firm specializes in sensitive family law matters and domestic asset protection, providing the peace of mind necessary to navigate complex personal and legal challenges.
– Support legal cases in Palm Beach County high-conflict family court with verified documentation of a parent’s behavior and suitability – Discreetly investigate suspected infidelity within the Wellington luxury lifestyle to provide evidence for domestic disputes – Protect Wellington businesses by conducting corporate fraud investigations and employee theft due diligence – Perform comprehensive background checks to verify criminal, financial, and professional history for personal safety or employment – Provide professional security and surveillance in areas ranging from the iconic Beehive to the upscale neighborhood of Thorndon
As a thriving business hub and affluent residential community, Wellington’s high-stakes commercial growth and exclusive neighborhoods drive significant demand for professional due diligence and surveillance services to ensure transparency, corporate security, and informed decision-making for its residents and businesses.
Our investigative team maintains a deep operational presence across these primary Palm Beach institutions. We leverage these facilities to conduct on-site records research, file legal documentation, and coordinate jurisdictional field operations.
The value of an investigation is defined by the integrity of the evidence. At McKinnon Investigative Group Inc., we follow a rigorous set of internal protocols designed to ensure that the facts we uncover are documented with the highest level of professional care.
Success in a private investigation isn’t just about what you see; it’s about how that information is documented and the local insight used to capture it. At McKinnon Investigative Group Inc, we bridge the gap between high-level street-smarts and rigorous legal standards.
Operating in Wellington presents unique challenges, from the iconic Beehive to the upscale neighborhood of Thorndon. Our investigators understand Palm Beach County traffic and cultural nuances, allowing us to maintain visual contact. We deliver professional evidence meticulously prepared to meet the strict legal standards of the 15th Judicial Circuit.
Confidentiality is vital for Wellington investigations to ensure a quiet and strategic start. Tipping off a subject, whether a spouse or business partner, makes professional surveillance nearly impossible by alerting them to hide evidence. Maintaining secrecy allows investigators to gather authentic information before a target changes behavior or discovery.
Avoid Direct Confrontation: Confronting a subject in Wellington without proof usually causes them to hide evidence or change their behavior, making a future professional investigation in Palm Beach County significantly more difficult.
Refrain from ‘DIY’ Surveillance: Attempted ‘tailing’ through Wellington traffic often leads to the investigator being ‘made,’ which can result in harassment charges or physical altercations.
Do Not Use Illegal Tracking: Using unlicensed GPS trackers violates Florida Statute §934.425. This renders evidence inadmissible in the 15th Judicial Circuit and potentially exposes you to a third-degree felony charge.
Maintain Absolute Confidentiality: Do not share your suspicions with anyone in your Wellington social or professional circles; the more people who know, the higher the risk of the subject being tipped off.
Do Not Attempt Unauthorized Access: Unauthorized access to private accounts violates federal laws and Florida’s Computer Abuse and Data Recovery Act (CADRA), making any discovered information useless in a Palm Beach legal proceeding.
In the state of Florida, there is no legal distinction between the two terms; both refer to professionals licensed under Chapter 493 to conduct investigative services. While “private detective” is a more traditional term often used in popular culture, “private investigator” is the official designation used by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). At McKinnon Investigative Group Inc., we fulfill all state requirements to carry this professional title.
Yes, it is entirely legal to hire a private investigator in Wellington, provided the agency is licensed through the FDACS. Our firm operates under Florida Statute §493, ensuring all surveillance in Palm Beach County is performed within state and federal law.
Absolutely. Evidence collected by a licensed investigator is highly valuable in Palm Beachcourts, provided it meets the evidentiary standards of the 15th Judicial Circuit. We follow rigorous Chain of Custody protocols and provide time-stamped media, detailed chronological logs, and professional affidavits specifically designed for courtroom admissibility. Our investigators are also prepared to provide expert witness testimony to authenticate our findings during legal proceedings.
Private investigator costs in Wellington vary by logistics. Rates differ between surveillance in the iconic Beehive to the upscale neighborhood of Thorndon versus background checks. We provide transparent estimates for all Wellington residents to ensure clarity regarding our professional investigative services.
Discretion is our foundation. Our Wellington field agents use low-profile vehicles and long-range optics to maintain distance. We minimize risk even in high-density areas like the iconic Beehive to the upscale neighborhood of Thorndon or local gated communities.
Frequently. We serve as a strategic partner to legal counsel throughout South Florida, providing the critical discovery and surveillance needed for family law, civil litigation, and criminal defense. Whether it is locating a missing witness or uncovering hidden assets for a divorce case in Palm Beach Family Court, we align our investigative tactics with the attorney’s overall case strategy.
Our firm provides comprehensive coverage throughout the entire Wellington metro area and surrounding communities. We have deep operational experience in Palm Beach Polo & Country Club, Grand Prix Village, Mallet Hill, and Equestrian Club Estates and the greater Palm Beach County region. Our local knowledge of traffic patterns and neighborhood dynamics ensures more efficient surveillance.
Yes, we specialize in high-level skip tracing for individuals evading service of process in Wellington. We combine access to proprietary, non-public databases with tactical field research to track down witnesses or missing persons across Palm Beach County and the State of Florida.
Under Florida law, we legally conduct surveillance from public vantage points where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy. We strictly adhere to Florida Statute §810.145 to ensure all evidence gathered in Wellington is obtained lawfully and remains admissible in the 15th Judicial Circuit.
The timeline depends on the scope of the case. A straightforward background check in Wellington may be completed in 48 to 72 hours, while complex corporate fraud investigations involving multiple surveillance shifts in Palm Beach County can take several weeks.
Yes. Every investigation concludes with a professional, chronological report that serves as a permanent record. These reports are supported by time-stamped media and can be converted into sworn affidavits for use in Palm Beach County legal proceedings.
We utilize professional-grade tools including 4K high-resolution cameras, night-vision optics, and covert body-worn equipment for indoor environments in Wellington. We also use specialized software for lawful asset tracking to ensure the best possible evidence for your case.
Yes. While we are based in South Florida, our reach extends globally. Many of our Wellington cases involve connections in Latin America or the Caribbean. We coordinate investigations across international borders for our global clients from our regional operations hub.
The process begins with a 100% confidential consultation. During this call or meeting, we will discuss your objectives, assess the feasibility of the case, and develop a strategic investigative plan tailored to your specific needs and budget.
Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, we provide private investigation services across South Florida, the Treasure Coast, and the Florida Keys, including:
