Showing posts with label private investigators. Show all posts
Showing posts with label private investigators. 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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Thursday, April 11, 2013
Private Investigators See Rise in Webcam Scams













Romance scam victims always ask, how could this happen to me?  Many internet scam and fraud victims report that they are skeptical and educated individuals.  Outsiders and those who have not been a victim often think it takes a fool to be a victim of scam or fraud.  Private investigators caution this is not the case.  In fact, international criminals are using more sophisticated scam and fraud techniques each month, and law enforcement and internet users are having a hard time staying current on all the warning signs.  In a new twist to romance scams and online dating fraud, internet criminals are now rolling out a new scam technique that has many victims dazed and confused.  Criminals are now using real models to talk to their victims on web cam to convince the victim they are real and beautiful, and they are truly in love or need your help.  It is the most effective scam technique being used today on the internet for dating scams and fraud.

Organized crime groups in Eastern Europe and West Africa and even Malaysia and the Philippines have found it very profitable to use live girls to talk to you to gain your trust and love, and to then steal your money or information to steal your identity.  The days of using fake photos taken from sites like Match.com and Facebook are slowly fading away.  With billions stolen and millions of fraud victims, the old method was a gold mine, but criminals and private investigators say, the new method is even more effective and dangerous to internet users on social networking and online dating sites.  When you’re talking  to a person on webcam, you think you’re safe.

Countries like Ghana, Nigeria, Russia, the Ukraine, Romania and the Philippines are known to use this new method in online dating scams and fraud. Dating background checks by prudent private investigation firms are still the most reliable for avoiding the fraud and lowering your risk.

In most cases, victims were clients of adult content websites in which they become involved with a girl online, and with time, a relationship develops.  The scammer poses as a model or online chat mate who wants to get to know your better.  He or she never asks for money or help or even your personal data until a solid communication is established and the criminals gains a part of your trust.  In some cases the criminals may ask for money or your help directly.  In other cases, the crook will slowly gather information about you, later to be used to steal your identity and drain your bank accounts!  Experts warn just because you can see someone in a video on the internet, does not always mean the video is live, and it does not always mean the person in the video is who he or she claims to be.  Extra caution is advised for anyone who meets someone online.  Be safe and contact a professional international investigator to verify and, investigate.  Then decide.

Best of luck,

A Hathaway
© 2013 A Hathaway 

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Thursday, October 18, 2012
Private Investigators Voice Concern on Military Scams














Ever been approached by a military man or woman over an internet dating site or social network?  In the U.S., citizens are proud of their brave men and women who fight for freedom around the world, and who risk their lives for the country.  Military personnel are respected and thought of as honest, loyal servants to our country.  They are in a sense more trusted than the average citizen, many believe, because of their dedication to the country and service.  Criminals know this, and that there has been an alarming growth in military and dating scams involving soldiers.

In some cases, the brave and handsome solider wanting to get to know you online, may not be a solider at all.  Internet criminals can assume the identity of a real military person to be used to conduct fraud online.  Victims trust these scammers because of the belief that they are communicating with a soldier in Afghanistan or elsewhere, and the victim wants to help.

Scammers use all kinds of strategies to convince their victims they are real and interested in a friendship or romantic relationship.  Criminals can be convincing and their tactics are rapidly evolving.  Fraud experts and law enforcement say that anyone can be a victim.  As with any relationship on the internet, it pays to be skeptical and always protect your private information.  Never send money to anyone you’ve never met.  If you think you may have gotten lucky and have started a new and meaningful relationship, dating background checks are advised.

International investigators warn that the red flags and warning signs of scam are not always present, and in some cases it takes the skills and resources and training of a professional private investigator to verify the facts and identity of the person you’re communicating with.

No dating website or social network site is immune from fraud, no matter how big or popular.  Facebook and Match.com, although widely popular with millions of users, have no effective way to verify all their members and subscribers.  The risk falls on the users, and so it is up to you to know the risk and investigate when necessary.  Military scams and growing at an alarming rate, and anyone can be a victim.  Females are the primary target, and victims are spread across the U.S., Canada, Australia, the U.K. and many more countries.  Be skeptical of anyone asking too many questions and very skeptical of anyone asking for money, for any reason.

The problem has gotten so out of control that even the U.S. Army has delivered a bulletin regarding online romance scams related to soldiers in order to educate the public on the risk.

Best of luck,

A Hathaway
© 2012 Author

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Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Dating Background Checks Detecting Romance Scams













Demands of modern life have made dating complicated. Single people find it hard to cope with work, meetings, shopping for groceries, meeting friends and trying to find the perfect match.  Time just slips away from us, and often the internet can seem like an attractive opportunity to meet someone for those that have hectic schedules.  Internet dating sites and social networks more recently have become common places for those looking for love and relationships.

Many people join Match.com or Facebook or similar sites to meet new people, friends or possible partners.  Statistics show that the usage is widespread and all types of people from mostly developing countries use online dating or social networking sites for this purpose.  Facebook is not only about connecting with friends.  Many now use the platform to find love online.  Mixed in with the honest users on the internet are seasoned criminals and con artists who are targeting you, and they are becoming more sophisticated in their scam tactics.  Today’s romance scams can be difficult to detect and internet criminals can now fool even the most skeptical.

How to avoid being a victim of romance scam?

Reputable private investigators say it’s important not to look over the real world option.  Looking for love in the real world, in coffee shops or bars, university or school, bookstores, gyms or sports clubs, or through friends and co-workers, or parties, is clearly the safer option when it comes to scams and fraud.  Investigators say there is no safer way than to see in person who you’re dealing with.  Five minutes in the real world can be worth one year on the internet trying to get to know someone, experts say.  If your schedule allows, try to make time for this healthy option.

Dating online is a fair alternative, but it simply has a significant amount of risk for fraud, scams, identity theft, virus and malware, deception and misrepresentation.  How can you be sure the person on the other end of the internet is who he or she claims to be?  The answer to that question is, you don’t.  Internet criminals now use IP address masking software or proxy servers, use local numbers obtained from Skype, and even assume a real identity of a real person, so when you do your research to verify, everything seems legit.  Investigators see this on a daily basis.  In most cases, it requires the skills and resources of a trained private investigator to verify.

Never provide personal information such as date of birth, telephone or mobile numbers, social security number, bank account or credit card information, or an address.  Be advised that any webcam chat may be recorded to blackmail you in the future.  Be smart and safe.

More internet users are turning to trained professionals to verify their online partner.  In fact, the business of dating background checks is growing because consumers want to be safe.

Remember, Rome was not built in a day, and it takes time to build intimacy and worthwhile relationships.  Be skeptical of new contacts who seem to fall in love overnight.   Discreet dating background checks with a reliable investigation firm can also lower your risk.

Best of luck,

A Hathaway
© 2012 A Hathaway

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