Showing posts with label philippines pi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label philippines pi. Show all posts
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Philippine Scammers Target Online Dating Members with Romance Scams

  • 2/10/2011
  • 1
Criminals Seeking Victims on Internet Dating Sites










These days it seems that everyone is online dating or using a social networking site. Sites like Match.com and Facebook have millions of members worldwide, and there are countless others. More people are connecting online, and finding relationships and romance on the internet than ever before. There are more than just honest people among the users, however. Each year the FBI receives more complaints about online dating scams, and 2010 was no exception. According to three FBI field offices contacted for this article, scams from online dating and social networking sites are booming. Philippines private detectives familiar with the cases estimate the scams are growing at a rate of 20 percent per year. Site members are advised to proceed with caution.

The economy in the Philippines continues to struggle, and the country remains a nation with high levels of corruption, and limit opportunity. Law enforcement agencies in the Philippines such as the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation), PNP (Philippines National Police) and other agencies stress they are already overwhelmed with criminal cases and investigations. Agents must prioritize their cases, and unfortunately, romance scams and online dating fraud usually fall close to last on the list. Making matters more complicated, it can be difficult and costly for a foreigner to file a criminal case in the Philippines. Because online dating site and other accounts are often opened using a false name, and money transfers can be picked up with a fake ID or by a criminal accomplice, such cases can be difficult to prosecute.

Many US, Canadian, UK and Australian victims ask why more can't be done to prevent these types of romance scams, marriage fraud, and other online dating scams. A lack of law and order is understandable in the Philippines, but many citizens in the developed world demand something to be done. Agents at a Florida FBI field office say it can be frustrating to hear of the damage done in these cases, and it's not easy to explain to victims that not much can be done. Prosecuting criminals across country borders is a difficult process, no matter what the crime. Scams and fraud via the internet are especially challenging, since in most cases, the identity and/or location of the criminal may be unknown. Philippines private investigators say never to send money to anyone who is not known personally, and be skeptical of anyone you have met via the internet. Never reveal your personal data, such as date of birth, credit card information, address, and other senstitive data to an individual over the internet.

Because prosecuting these criminals is such a difficult and time consuming process, law enforcement and private investigators agree, the safest bet is prevention. Be skeptical. Be aware of the high risk for dating scams and other fraud in the Philippines. Know that no internet dating or social networking website is immune from fraud and scams. There is simply no effective way to screen the millions of members, so there are criminals among the users. If you feel you have potential for a real relationship, get a Philippines background check with a professional and reputable investigation firm such as Philippine PI™. Experts warn the risk is too high to ignore, and extra caution is advised.

Best of luck,

A. Hathaway
© 2011 A. Hathaway

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Friday, February 4, 2011
Philippine Investigator Scams on the Rise, Caution Advised

  • 2/04/2011
  • 1
More Complaints Filed on Philippines Investigators










Officials at the U.S., Canadian and Australian Embassies in Manila report a significant rise in the number of complaints involving websites or persons claiming to be private investigators in the Philippines. The problem is not new, but contacts at the Embassies say that complaints are up more than double the levels reported in 2009, which is an alarming rate. Individuals and companies are hiring private investigators in the Philippines for help, and all too often say experts, they are fastly becoming a victim of fraud, scam or theft. In some cases consumers report that the investigators attempt to do the work, but simply aren't qualified. The fact that many people are seeking an investigator to avoid being a victim of a scam in the first place, is a frustrating situation, and law enforcement has been slow to act. Caution is advised.

The Philippines is a nation rife with fraud, online dating scams, romance scams, marriage and internet fraud. Corruption and exportation of brides in the Philippines are entrenched in the nation's history and culture. Many Western men seek to find a bride here, and many companies seek to invest in the country via Manila. However, there is significant risk for investors, businesses and individuals. As a result, the services of a professional private investigator are often essential. Background checks, due diligence, private investigations and surveillance is in demand in the Philippines. The problem is finding someone competent.

Because of the lack of law and order, and the high demand for investigators, many criminals and amateurs are now posing as professional Philippines private investigators, offering their services on online message boards and creating professional looking websites. The truth is, less than 5% have professional training in a law enforcement academy, or military program. Most do not have a college education. Most lack the necessary and expensive equipment to investigate properly. And many of those claiming to be investigators are just plain fraudsters.

Experts offer the following guidelines:

1) Beware of an investigator who prefers bank transfers, Western Union or PayPal. Once the payment is sent, there is no way to get the money back. A real company accepts payments directly via its secure website using your credit card. If something goes wrong, at least you can call your credit card company and report the fraud, and possibly issue a chargeback.

2) Go with a company that is based in the U.K., U.S., Canada or Australia. The reason is that these highly developed countries have strict laws and accountability for business, and you can expect a higher standard and higher quality service. Companies based in the Philippines are 10 times more likely to deliver substandard service and unprofessional results.

3) Check to see if the company's website is verified by McAfee, the Better Business Bureau, and Truste. An individual or local Filipino won't pass the strict qualification standards set by these organizations. Also, you can check the BBB to see if the company has any history of complaints. (Click on the BBB logo on the Philippine PI™ website, for example, and you can see the firm has had zero complaints in the past 4 years.)

4) Understand that professional investigation services for background checks, due diligence, surveillance and investigations can be expensive. Expect to pay more for a quality service. Choosing by price alone is a bad idea.

5) Ask the investigator to tell you specifically where he or his field investigators received their training. If the investigators have no training in the Philippine Army, National Bureau of Investigation or Philippine National Police, the FBI, U.S. Military, or similar, it would be best to keep shopping.

William Carter at U.S. based Philippine PI™ agrees. Consumers should be very selective when shopping for a private investigator in the Philippines. "We see a lot of cases where a client chooses an investigator based on price, and we later see the client come back explaining that he or she was scammed, had their money stolen, or the investigator didn't do a professional job. Professional and reputable services cost more." Embassy officials agree, and some Embassy websites even have warnings about such scams.

Choosing an unskilled investigator can have disastrous results. In many such cases, the work is not confidential or discreet, leading to major complications for clients. As always, go with a professional, and get the job done right the first time.

Best of luck,

A. Hathaway
© 2011 A. Hathaway
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Friday, October 22, 2010
Philippines Private Investigators Work More Background Checks for Scams

Philippines Private Detectives & Background Checks














Philippines scams are booming. The largest private investigation company in the Philippines, Philippine PI™, recently reported significant rise in the number of internet dating scams affecting clients from the U.S., Europe, Canada & Australia. Investigators say the risk from romance scams and fraud in the Philippines is at high levels. A company spokesperson stated that background checks and investigations for romance scams are up 30%, and consumers should be extra cautious in relationships.

Philippines private investigators says fraud and scams are booming. Due diligence and pre-employment screening may be down, but infidelity and romance scam cases more than make up for any losses due to the bad economy. U.S-based Philippine PI expects to report a 25% growth rate for 2010 and cites risk related to romance scams and fraud as supporting the growth.

According to the Philippine PI™ management team, the focus on hiring the most qualified investigators has made all the difference. “We only hire and work with field investigators with a proven track record in military or law enforcement, and that has made all the difference,” said William Carter, Vice President of Private Investigations. “Corporate and individual clients rely on our expertise and coordination with agencies like the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation), PNP (Philippine National Police) and the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines).” Sources say the Company has contacts at embassies in Manila, the Philippines Bureau of Immigration, and the NSO (National Statistics Office).

Because of the global recession, economic opportunity in the Philippines is few and far between. Finding a good job or source of reliable income is harder than ever, according to many Filipinos in Manila, Cebu and Davao. This desperate environment has driven many Filipinas to work scams via the internet, in order to seek a possible better life, or to get a source of income, no matter what the cost. This activity is coming at an unfortunate time, when Philippines government agencies are struggling to improve the nation's international reputation. Detectives advise consumers and businesses to contact a competent Philippines PI for help with background checks, private investigation, pre-employment and due diligence, and to think of these investigation services as a form of insurance policy to minimize the known risk.

Best of luck,

A. Hathaway
© 2010 A. Hathaway

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