Spying gear used to be priced from $300 to just $500 each, meaning under the old rules, anyone could legally buy a full James Bond spying kit for just over $1,000.

Although the new law is aimed at stopping criminals from using spy gadgets, it has also affected crime fighting. The equipment is an important part of the private detectives' arsenal. Many are former police officers who now face the dilemma: either break the law or lose your job.

“It's really not clear why the police are allowed to use this equipment and we are not, even though have the same tasks – to protect people. Our hands are tied,” complained Oleg, a private detective from Moscow.

Certified spy gear specialist Ivan Belous says the spyware problem does not lie with those who buy or sell it, but rather those who produce it.

“Ninety per cent of this equipment is made in China and is brought to Russia illegally,” he said. “It's quite a profitable business. The gadgets are really cheap there and can be priced here three or even four times higher.”

So for those selling cheap Chinese spy gadgets, business is simply too good to stop, despite the threat of jail. Ironically, in China such equipment can only be made for export, because use inside the country could lead to the death sentence.