Showing posts with label philippine investigation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label philippine investigation. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Philippines Detectives & Dating Scams

Private Detectives Investigate Scams










Online dating has boomed worldwide, and in the Philippines there is no exception. More and more women from the Philippines are seeking love and a new life abroad. To find their way out of poverty stricken Philippines, many women are opening accounts for online dating. It's no surprise that the level of dating scams are on the rise, and private investigators are quite busy.

Experienced Philippines detectives are accustomed to foreign clients seeking private investigation advice for a Filipina. In recent years, the level of complaints involving Philippines based investigators has skyrocketed, suggesting that not only is there a problem with Philippine women scamming, but now there is a problem with investigators scamming foreign clients.

The rise in fraud and romance scam cases has made finding a respectable Filipina more difficult than ever. To complicate matters, selecting a private investigator is now more difficult than ever. How did this happen? As the demand for investigations rose, many ameaturs tried to supply the market. The reality is few investigators in the Philippines are properly trained and financed to conduct a professional private investigation.

For those seeking a romantic relationship in the Philippines, as well as foreigners seeking investigation or background check assistance in the Philippines, extra caution is advised. Be very skeptical of both women and investigators who request money via Western Union. When seeking an investigator, we recommend reading the Philippines Investigator Advisory.

The global recession has hit Manila, Makati and Cebu hard and employment is scarce in the Philippines. As more women seek a way out, more individuals and so-called investigators are sure to try to join the market. Consumers should be skeptical of any "investigator" with no references, no professional website, and no proven track record of investigation.

Best of luck,

A. Hathaway
© 2006-2009 A. Hathaway
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Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Philippines Private Investigators

Sifting through the Investigators

The Philippines has seen a strong demand for background checks, surveillance and investigation. With more and more people dating online worldwide, and the high percentage of Filipinas looking to meet someone foreign, the demand is expected to continue rising. In addition to personal cases, business activity and foreign investment in the Philippines is rising as the country continues to develop and gain access to global and capital markets.














The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
The question for many companies and individuals with relations and or investment in the Philippines is, how can I select a prudent and professional private investigator? How can I determine who is the real investigation company, and who is the local with limited or even no professional experience?

To answer that question, we have reprinted the below information with permission from Philippine PI™, one of the most reputable Philippines Private Investigators operating in the Philippines. The Company's advisory is excellent advice for those considering a private investigation anywhere in the Philippines.

Investigator Advisory for the Philippines
Widespread fraud and corruption reaches all levels of Philippine society, including private investigators. There are many cases where clients seek investigation services or consultation from a so-called "professional" or "private investigator" in the Philippines, only to be scammed by the investigator. It is not uncommon for the local or amateur investigator to take the client's money, and in return provide unacceptable service, or even no service at all. With the high level of unemployment and poverty in the Philippines, many locals have tried to take advantage of foreigners seeking investigation services. Other locals sincerely attempt to do the investigative work, but simply are not qualified or properly trained to conduct the case.

What you should know:

1. If it's too cheap, it's probably too good to be true.If an investigator claims to offer a remarkable service, at a very low price, it's safe to assume you will get what you pay for. Real, professional and private investigation can be expensive.

2. Buyer beware of investigators that only accept Western Union.A reputable company or private investigator should have a website where the investigator accepts various forms of payment, including a secure site where you can pay by credit card.

3. Stear clear of investigators with no references.Prior to paying for an investigator, search the internet for references of the investigator or company. Chances are you can learn what others are saying about the company. If you can't find enough information on the internet, you might ask the investigator or company for a reference.

4. Be weary of any investigator who doesn't speak English.English is commonly spoken by the educated population in the Philippines. It is also necessary to conduct a proper investigation in the Philippines, since most people speak English in addition to their native language. An investigator who doesn't speak English fluently is unqualified.

5. Choose an investigator who is available to discuss your case over the phone.It can be hard to tell who you're dealing with over the internet, so check to see if your investigator is available over the phone. Often a brief phone conversation will allow you to ask important questions and determine if the investigator is right for you. It will also quickly show you what kind of service you can expect, since good customer service means being available for a phone call.

6. Avoid websites that look unprofessional.If the investigation company's website looks unprofessional, chances are, the services are also unprofessional. Insufficient budgets and training for development of the business, which can be detected when viewing the website, will likely be reflected in other areas as well, such as reports, surveillance equipment, vehicles, etc. Expect to pay more for quality service.

7. Look for privacy seals and secure websites.Since private investigation can involve sensitive information and details of a very private nature, look for an investigator with a website that displays privacy seals such as Truste. In additon, to be sure your information is safeguarded with adequate technology, check for additional seals such as McAfee security seals which ensure the website and your data is safe and secure.

8. Expect to pay a fair price.Professional private investigation can be expensive. Rather than trying to save a few dollars by choosing an unknown or unqualified firm, try to work with a reputable company about the best option for you, and if an investigation will likely provide you with the evidence you need. Too often choosing a cheap investigator means money down the drain, so choose carefully.

9. Ask if surveillance photos have time-date stamps.Surveillance photographs during any professional investigation should have time-date stamps on them. This is industry standard and this type of photographic evidence should be included in daily reports to clients. If for any reason the investigator does not offer this service, you know this is not a professional, but rather a local or amateur lacking the proper experience and equipment.

10. Choose a U.S., Canada or European managed company.Due to the high level of fraud and corruption throughout Philippine society, try to find and use an investigation company that is managed or owned by a U.S., Canadian or European company. This will ensure the company is managed according to stricter standards, and is held accountable for safer business practices and ethics of the United States, Canada or Western Europe.

11. Never use a "company" with no business address or phone number.Perhaps the easiest way to distinguish the real investigation firm from the local individual or shady operation is to check their contact us page. A real investigation company has a secure contact us page on their website, with a business address. In addition, a legitimate investigator will be happy to provide clients with a business telephone number where he or she can be reached. If any given investigator refuses to provide this information, it would be very wise to look elsewhere.

12. Buyer beware of any investigators who only accept PayPal.While PayPal is a legitimate and secure payment option, a red flag should be raised if this is the only way to pay your investigator via a credit card. A professional investigation firm should offer various forms of payment options, from wire transfer, PayPal, to submitting your credit or debit card data directly via their secure website. A website that only offers PayPal for credit card payments is almost always a clear indication that you are dealing with an individual and not a real company.

Best of luck,

A. Hathaway
© 2006-2009 A. Hathaway
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Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Online Dating Scams & Background Checks

Internet Dating Investigations on the Rise












The rise in online dating worldwide has changed the way men and women meet around the globe. As more and more people become accustomed to doing business on the Internet, so too are more and more people finding romance over the Internet. New match making sites appear in the search results each week, and from the U.S. to China to Argentina, consumers are finding love online. With this new playing field, however, come sizeable risks.

Honest people seeking new relationships aren't the only ones taking advantage of the new services. Criminals are also finding their way onto the match making websites, including major sites such as Match.com and eHarmony. No matter what a site may claim, no dating website is immune from fraud and scams. In fact, international scam cases have risen along with the rise in dating websites. And with the rise in scams and fraud, the demand for professional background checks has never been greater.

Beware of any individual overseas proclaiming his or her love prematurely. Be skeptical of any sudden emergencies that require financial assistance. If there have been no requests for money, and everything seems to be legit, consider a background check as an insurance policy. Many victims end up losing money and learning the hard way. A background check early along in the relationship can save you time and money, and also prevent you from potential heartache and emotional distress.

Several services are now available that offer international background checks and surveillance. Probably the most respected in the business is Wymoo International, which also runs a separate division for Philippines detectives, known as Philippine PI. Whichever firm you decide to use, consider the service an insurance policy, and when it comes to fraud and scams, it's better to know sooner rather than later. These types of services are usually strictly confidential, so the subject will never know, and you can sleep easy!

Happy hunting,

A. Hathaway
© 2006-2008 A. Hathaway
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Tuesday, May 6, 2008
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Background checks and the services available.

A Rise in Demand
With more people around the global accessing the Internet, and the global population itself exploding exponentially, the world is making a fast transition to online. Businesses around the world now make their hiring decisions based on candidates they find on the Internet. New websites for match making or online dating are popping up daily. These days, it's not uncommon to find a business partner or even find a spouse on the Internet. In this brave new world, come some sizeable risks.

Verifying the Story
How does an individual in Paris verify a boyfriend's story who lives in Brazil? Or how does a small business in the United States verify a new supplier located in Singapore? And when looking for romance, just how do we know if he or she is really who he or she claims to be? These questions are becoming more common and so is the demand for background checks. The following section describes some of the services available to learn the truth.

Knowing your Options
The services offered for background checks vary greatly. Some websites offer simple searches for public records, while others combine public records searches with actual investigation. We prefer the latter, as real investigation has real results in most cases. Among the top 3 players in the United States are Kroll, Owens Online and Wymoo International. Wymoo has been expanding its market share by concentrating on customer service and custom investigations. All 3 companys have a strong global presence, while Wymoo offers personalized service, surveillance, local investigators and complete narrative reporting. For the Philippines, contact Wymoo's affiliate, Philippine PI.

Pricing the Market
An average background check can cost between $200 and $800, depending on the country of origin and the information needs of the customer. An average background investigation to verify a small business or foreign romance usually ranges between $400 and $600, again depending on the country and specific need for information. Always shop around for service quotes.

Filling the Need
Is it really worth having your international romance, or foreign business partner verified? Absolutely. This is the age of identity theft, relationship scams, advance fee fraud, and these scams are on the rise. Think of a background check investigation as an insurance policy. One can cross his fingers and hope for the best. We recommend contracting an international background check service, and sleeping well at night knowing the truth.

Best of luck,

A. Hathaway
© 2006-2008 A. Hathaway
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Saturday, January 26, 2008
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  • 1/26/2008
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Avoiding the scams and knowing who to call.

Whatever it is that draws Western men to the Filipina is up for debate. Most likely, it is the sheer vast number of Philippine women seeking something different, an increase in their standard of living and an escape from the widespread corruption and poverty of the Philippines. Finding the right Filipina is no easy task, however, as the number of scams is higher than ever.

Opportunity Knocks

Distinguishing between the wholesome girl next door, and the scammer is getting tougher all the time. Good Philippine women are definitely out there. The country has no shortage of beautiful women seeking an honest relationship. On the other hand, there is no shortage of gold diggers either, not professional scammers but interested in pure financial gain at any cost. Love and physical attraction simply doesn't matter for these girls. Many girls with their profiles on Internet match making sites are seeking immigration to the U.S., Europe or Canada, and as long as the man has money, the Filipina will likely put out the For Sale sign.

Avoiding the Pitfalls

Sudden or frequent Filipina emergencies, followed by financial requests should be verified. Early in the relationship, if your partner in the Philippines makes requests for financial support, it would be wise to move on to the next potential partner. Fraud and relationship scams run rampant here, and what may start out as help with the bills, may be followed by a long list of bills and emergencies. In short, a scammer or gold digger can slowly create a financial and emotional nightmare.

Verifying her Story

If you've found someone in the Philippines and all looks good, it pays to get a background check. Many men find beautiful and decent brides from the Philippines, but finding the perfect Filipina is never easy. Taking the relationship to the next level has the potential to be costly. It's a prudent decision to be skeptical in a Philippine relationship. We recommend getting a professional and confidential Philippine background check, and for situations that require knowing exactly what the Filipina is doing, and with whom, we recommend Philippine surveillance.

The Investigators

Investigators in the Philippines, unfortunately, can be fraudulent themselves. We recommend choosing a U.S. owned and operated firm, such as Philippine PI or Wymoo International due to the difference in management styles, level of customer service, and reputable investigative techniques. Furthermore, if you have any problems in your investigation, you have the piece of mind that you're dealing with a U.S. firm rather than an individual.

Best of luck,

A. Hathaway
© 2006-2009 A. Hathaway
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