Call her 007, call her James Bond, call her Jane Bond. No matter how you look at it, Monique Lessan's profession is perhaps one of the most unique businesses out there. Armed with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a master of Forensic Sciences, Monique command four languges (Farsi, English, French and Spanish) and many many disguises. Born in Tehran, the Iranian Bond attended French private school Joan D'Arc and probably has her mother, a police woman in the Shah's force, to thank for her inquisitive instincts.
Tell us about your background.
Monique Lessan: I was raised with a strong mother, who encouraged me to study Criminal Justice at the University. I wanted to be a judge when I grew up. Currently, I have two residence, one in New York and one in San Diego. I was living in Barcelona before I relocated to New York. I was recruited by a team of investigators to conduct high profile cases in the States.
PM: Everybody wants to know: how did you get interested in spy work and what made you become the female 007?
ML: My first job was pursuing a Philipino woman who was the mistress of a mafia man in Las Vegas. I was on this case for two months, day and night, and finally conducted undercover work to find out the inside truth about her. This man was supporting her financially. He bought her a house, and a fast car, as long as she stayed loyal to him while he was cheating on his wife in Vegas.
" I wanted to be a judge when I grew up."
My mother was my inspiration. She had become a police woman, later to become a captain, and during the Shah. She was strong, independent, and yet loving. When I got my license from the state of California, my license number was 16007. Coincidence or maybe not. I first named it 007 International Detectives and later changed it. It was too late because I got interviewed on Fox TV, channel 6 as a female 007.
PM: What is the strangest case you have ever worked on?
ML: I worked on a very complicated love story, where a 75-year-old man wanted to find out if his 55-year-old recently dead wife had an affair 35 years ago. She wanted to tell him the truth but died seconds prior to the confession. The story has a major twist at the end that blows the mind. [Editor's note: ML is working on a book and the ending will be revealed in her book. Stay tuned.]
PM: What are some of the things you find very particular to working on Iranian case – that may not be prevalent in other communities?
ML: Pre- marriage background checks and following those husbands that travel often to Iran. It has been my experience that many people, (not just men) living outside of Iran get married to another person or at least have affairs in Iran. They end up living double lives. My job is to investigate pursue and come up with evidence. Also as a result many people hire me to conduct asset searches in Iran and the U.S.
PM: Desert Island. Three things. What will you take?
ML: My books, My Persian cat, and facial sunscreen. After all, my PI friends will find me sooner or later.
Tell us about your background.
Monique Lessan: I was raised with a strong mother, who encouraged me to study Criminal Justice at the University. I wanted to be a judge when I grew up. Currently, I have two residence, one in New York and one in San Diego. I was living in Barcelona before I relocated to New York. I was recruited by a team of investigators to conduct high profile cases in the States.
PM: Everybody wants to know: how did you get interested in spy work and what made you become the female 007?
ML: My first job was pursuing a Philipino woman who was the mistress of a mafia man in Las Vegas. I was on this case for two months, day and night, and finally conducted undercover work to find out the inside truth about her. This man was supporting her financially. He bought her a house, and a fast car, as long as she stayed loyal to him while he was cheating on his wife in Vegas.
" I wanted to be a judge when I grew up."
My mother was my inspiration. She had become a police woman, later to become a captain, and during the Shah. She was strong, independent, and yet loving. When I got my license from the state of California, my license number was 16007. Coincidence or maybe not. I first named it 007 International Detectives and later changed it. It was too late because I got interviewed on Fox TV, channel 6 as a female 007.
PM: What is the strangest case you have ever worked on?
ML: I worked on a very complicated love story, where a 75-year-old man wanted to find out if his 55-year-old recently dead wife had an affair 35 years ago. She wanted to tell him the truth but died seconds prior to the confession. The story has a major twist at the end that blows the mind. [Editor's note: ML is working on a book and the ending will be revealed in her book. Stay tuned.]
PM: What are some of the things you find very particular to working on Iranian case – that may not be prevalent in other communities?
ML: Pre- marriage background checks and following those husbands that travel often to Iran. It has been my experience that many people, (not just men) living outside of Iran get married to another person or at least have affairs in Iran. They end up living double lives. My job is to investigate pursue and come up with evidence. Also as a result many people hire me to conduct asset searches in Iran and the U.S.
PM: Desert Island. Three things. What will you take?
ML: My books, My Persian cat, and facial sunscreen. After all, my PI friends will find me sooner or later.
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