Showing posts with label international background check. Show all posts
Showing posts with label international background check. Show all posts
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Russia Investigators Helping Clients Avoid Internet Scams
















Many years have passed by since Russia PI™, a U.S.-based professional private investigation firm, began conducting investigations in Russia and the Ukraine.  Like many private investigators in the region, the company reports a steady and rising demand from global clients concerned about internet scams and fraud, and how to lower the risk.  Whether it's a corporate or individual client based in New York, Hong Kong or London, people around the world are looking to do business or have personal relationships with those in Russia, but they need to do so safely.  For this reason, the international background check business has been booming.

Services by most private investigators in Moscow, Kiev and St. Petersburg include due diligence, dating background checks, surveillance, asset searches and complete background check investigations.  Criminals in Russia tend to be internet savvy, and many of the world's best hackers come from Russia.  Russia is also known for beautiful women, and this combination has proven to be a dangerous one.  When internet savvy criminals join forces with beautiful women, expert dating scammer and romance scams flourish. Russia investigators work hard to make sure their clients can carry on relationships in the region, but avoid the pitfall of such online crime.

Russia and the Ukraine are high risk countries for internet fraud. Romance scams from the region remain high despite all the awareness and efforts made by law enforcement.   As internet users and people become more aware of the risk, scammers change their tactics and evolve their strategy.  In short, online scams from Russia can be highly complex and even the most skeptical can be a victim.  That's why experts agree a dating background check is more important than ever.

Private investigators with the proper training and agents on the ground locally provide an invaluable service.  They speak the language, and they are your eyes and ears on the ground.  They have access to public and government records, and can verify identity, passports, documentation, education and employment, travel records, and screen your case for fraud.

As the world becomes more connected through the internet and mobile devices, scams are starting to occur in new ways.  For companies looking to invest in Russia, business fraud and investment scams are a serious barrier to entry, and international due diligence is strongly advised.

Best of luck,

A Hathaway
© 2013 A Hathaway 
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Nigeria Scams Still Top of the List of Internet Threats

  • 6/15/2013
  • 1

The so called 419 scam that originated in Nigeria may now be a thing of the past or viewed as a fool's crime by many internet users.  Most internet users think they're too smart, too aware to ever be a victim of any Nigeria scam.  After all, they say, they're not going to fall for some obvious Nigeria scam email. International background check companies and private investigation firms agree that Nigeria criminals have evolved and the threat has only gotten worse.

Many crime victims today that have fallen for an internet scam or online fraud may not even be aware that the criminals are based in Nigeria.  That's right!  Nigerian scammers have had years to practice their trade, and con artists now have criminal accomplices based in Malaysia, the U.K. and even the United States.  Thanks to globalizations and uncontrolled illegal immigration, many Nigeria criminals can be operating from just down the street, in Washington DC, London or even Kuala Lumpur.  So, as you're talking to Mr. or Ms. Perfect on the phone with a U.S. or U.K. phone number, you will have no idea the person is actually part of a Nigeria crime ring, or using a Skype number with a local phone number, but actually based in Nigeria.  It can be hard to verify.

Reputable international investigation companies such as Wymoo International report that Nigeria criminals now assume real identities from the internet in places like Facebook or any other site.  For example, a criminal can search Facebook or the web for John Doe, who lives at 32 Walker Street in New York, and take his photo and date of birth, and even get his employment information from the internet, thanks to his company website and Facebook page.  Now, when you try to verify this person by searching Google, you're convinced your internet criminal is the real thing.

Expert international investigators agree with law enforcement agencies that in most cases, only a highly trained investigator with global resources can properly verify an individual met over the internet.  Clients should think of the service as a form of insurance.  Because dating and social networking sites have no way to screen all their users, a dating background check is often the only reliable way for internet users to determine the truth behind the profile.

Remember that no site is totally safe.  Internet criminals have access to all the same sites as you do, and sites like Facebook, Match.com and eHarmony have become popular hunting grounds for both honest people and scammers.  Be safe online.  Verify, and then decide.

Best of luck,

A Hathaway
© 2013 A Hathaway 








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Saturday, March 2, 2013
10 Major Risks of Social Media and Networks














 We hear a lot about social media and social networks these days.  The benefits are well known.  They make meeting and connecting with new people easy, and they facilitate easy communication between groups of friends and professional contacts.  But, what about the risk?  Many users aren’t even aware of there being any risk.  In fact, this seems to be precisely what makes social media and networks the hunting ground of criminals. International investigators  say it’s important for subscribers to know the risk, and to take appropriate precaution.

Many users share their lives and daily activity and even personal data on sites like Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and others.  We post photographs, emotional states, work promotions, vacations,  weekend trips, relationship status, and even some post dates of birth (birthdays), and addresses.  Users sometimes broadcast to the world who they are, where they live and where they work, and even what they look like, how they feel, and their current relationship status.   Never before has so much been at stake in the world of privacy protection, and the issue is growing. This article will take a look at just some of the major risks of sharing too much information online.

1. Identify Theft
By sharing too much information on social media, you open the doors to criminals who are actively seeking your information.  Criminals love to get their hands on personal data such as full name, address, date of birth, employer, SS#, photographs, etc.  Keep the info offline.

2. Loss of Privacy
By posting photos and information on Facebook or Twitter or other sites, users may not always know or understand that the information can easily be spread across the internet.  By posting personal information on the internet, it may soon make your life an open book.  While it may not be important to you now, it could come back to haunt you.  People have a right to privacy, and a right to know who is using, selling, distributing, buying and stealing their information.  While companies like Google, Facebook and MyLife continue to profit from tracking your internet usage and selling your information, it’s important to fight back, and keep your internet profile small.

3. Romance Scams
Whether you’re looking for love or not, romance scams and experienced internet criminals can target you online.  Even if you’re on Facebook and not looking to meet someone, a trained scammer can open up some conversation, trust and eventually your pocketbook.  Keep your circle of friends and sharing to a trusted minimum, and be skeptical of new contacts.

4. False Profiles
So you’ve found the perfect contact online, and want to share more or get to know the person better? International background check professionals estimate that as many as 50% of all profiles on the internet are false or fraudulent.  Be safe, and verify with a professional private investigation firm if needed.  The internet is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’ll get.

5. Employment Risk
More employers and companies around the world are joining the trend of violating your privacy and your rights.  Many managers and human resource representatives are now searching Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin for information on you prior to, during and after your employment!  This means the crazy incident that happened over the weekend, that you shared online with “friends” could end up costing you your job!  Think before you share, and remember people are watching.

6. Serious Crime
It’s not all about spam and identity theft.  Many cases of harassment, stalking, burglary, rape and even murder start online.  Criminals use the internet to learn more about you before they make their move.  It’s not uncommon for criminals to find your house on Google, find an image of your house on Google Maps, and then find out even more about you and your family on MyLife or similar site that collect, sell and distribute your personal data without your consent! 

7. Hacking Risk
Connecting with strangers and unknown people from around the world on social networks opens you up to hacking risk, whether through email or links and attachments.  A harmless communication with a new contact could give a criminal access to your computer and passwords. 

8. Viruses and Spam
Once a spammer or internet criminal has your confirmed contact information, he is likely to send you a virus or spam, and even sell your email address to other online criminals.  Keep communication on the social network, and be cautious about revealing your email.

9. Investment Scams
Looking for investment or business opportunities on Linkedin or other social networks?  Be safe and verify.  Contact a professional to verify the company or representative with an international due diligence  or background check investigation to minimize your risk for fraud.

10. Fake Job Offers
Think you’ve found the perfect job opportunity?  Many scammers target users of social networks pretending to be employers with great opportunities.  Their goal is to get your personal data, resume and even a payment from you.  Be skeptical and verify the company.

Best of luck,

A Hathaway
© 2013 A Hathaway

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Monday, February 18, 2013
Dating Background Checks Advised in Romania













It seems that Romania is gaining popularity for nothing else but Romanian brides and romance scams these days.  How the country got itself involved in this mess goes back to two things.  Beautiful women, and a dismal economy.  As Romanians seek a better life, many have found that by scamming foreigners on the internet can be a way out to a better situation.  If being a criminal or unethical is what it takes, many Romanian scammers accept the risk.

The poor economy in Eastern Europe has led many beautiful Romanians to seek love online on major social networks and also online dating sites.  Other Romanian women choose adult web cam sites or adult online dating.  They hope to meet a foreigner who can support them, and pay their way to a better life.  And, they are willing to do nearly whatever it takes to get it.

Romania investigators confirm that in the past six months the request for investigations on women located in Bucharest and elsewhere in Romania has nearly doubled.  Clearly, not all Romanian women are scammers and many are beautiful, honest and decent women truly looking for love, or just looking to meet new people.  Investigators say ignoring the risk, however, is a dangerous way to conduct relationships online, and often leads to internet users being victims.

Some scammers use fake profiles and photographs.  Others show themselves on website, but lie about their true identity and situation.  Still others reveal themselves entirely, but lie about their intentions, feelings and motives just to get your money or gifts.  It’s a serious risk that can leave online dating subscribers and social networking users devastated with heartache and very serious financial loss.  Experts say it is essential to verify first rather than later.

International private investigators warn that the risk for online scams and fraud, especially in the realm of internet dating and social networks continues to rise.  Guard your personal information.  Do not reveal your true date of birth or address until you’ve met the subject in person, or had the person verified by a reputable private investigation company and background check.

Romance scammers are professional criminals that know their ways to gain your trust and eventually your money. Investigators have seen people requesting help when it is already too late and in most cases, victims have lost a lot of money and life savings, even their homes in some cases.  Whether it’s Romania or elsewhere, take it slow on the internet.  Take time to get to know the person, protect your personal data, and consider an international background check.

Best of luck,

A Hathaway
© 2013 A Hathaway

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Wednesday, January 23, 2013
International Investigations Increase with Growing Fraud Risk












International investigations are growing in demand for both individuals and organizations. The internet is connecting business and individuals all over the world, with international job boards, hiring and social networking sites like Facebook and Linkedin, and online dating sites like Match.com and eHarmony, and thousands of others. Companies now look abroad if there are no qualified candidates in their home country, and job seekers are looking in several countries, and going wherever the best opportunity is. Investors are looking at the global market, and putting their money to work wherever profits seem possible. All of these new relationships are complicated by national borders, long distance, internet communications, and language and cultural barriers. Wymoo® is known as a leader in verifying these international relationships. By conducting international background checks and due diligence, private investigation companies can lower the risk for clients. It's prudent verification.

Because international private investigators are a relatively new field, few people seem to understand what they do, and who they are. A company spokesperson from one international investigation company said that they often get requests by Human Resource managers who want a "search" or a "check" on a person or company. The response of almost any professional private investigator is, "I'm sorry, what do you need exactly?" HR and business managers think that there is some magical global database that international background check companies can simply tap into. Many consumers think that you can "check" or "search" a subject in a foreign country or countries online for less than $100 USD, and get the results in minutes. False claims being made on the internet have led to this serious misconception, and nothing could be further from the truth.

Criminal records searches are only a small part of a real background check investigation. Bin Laden himself had no criminal record. Real risk mitigation and verification requires real investigation by professional investigators. There is no magical database online for verifying people and businesses, especially in the developing countries. If you're serious about lowering your risk, and if you're serious about verifying an individual or company in another country, you will need a trained investigator on the ground who has local contacts, speaks the same language, understands the culture, and can gather the evidence you need. Anyone claiming differently is a fraud, and is attempting to verify remotely via the phone or internet. This is negligent, and shouldn't be paid for.

Avoid Fraud. Hire Professionals

Fraud levels continue to rise, and victims of scams and fraud are learning the hard way that international investigations are an essential tool for managing the risk in international relationships. Stay skeptical and verify. Contact an investigation firm if needed.

Best of luck, 

A Hathaway
© 2013 A Hathaway


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