Showing posts with label russia scams. Show all posts
Showing posts with label russia scams. Show all posts
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Russian Scams Pose Real Risk for Business, Say Moscow Private Investigators

Increasing Fraud Cases Call for Russia Due Diligence


Moscow private investigators often disagree on just about everything from the best methods to prevent scams and fraud, to the best investigative techniques, to the country's image and transparency. This year all Russian private investigators seem to agree at least on one issue. Risk for business scams and fraud in Russia is at high levels and more investigators and international business consultants advise background checks and due diligence to minimize the risk. There have been too many victims.

The Russian economy has been hit hard after the global economic crisis, and the country's oil revenue has been cut dramatically due to the fall in crude oil prices and the decrease in consumption by importing countries. Crude oil has been making a slow and steady comeback, but Moscow residents are clearly struggling with the post crude oil and credit boom that turned Moscow into the world's most expensive city. International investment is down, and what remains is a high risk environment lacking transparency in business deals, and lots of inefficient and costly red tape. The increase in scams and business fraud have made international business even more difficult, and Russia private investigators are increasingly being used for corporate due diligence.

The most common type of business fraud in Russia is advance fee fraud, and the fees can come in the form of advance lines of credit, pre-payment for goods or services, and down payments, shipping fees, or minimim initial investments. Scammers are increasingly using complex methods to convince their business partners, including meetings in business facilities, government and corporate document, official ID and passports, and more.

International business deals or investment in Russia is a high risk venture, plain and simple. Professional private investigators and business consultants say that doing business without a Russia background check or due diligence to verify the parties involved is like going blind, and can be a costly learning lesson. For criminals, the increase in people seeking opportunity in Eastern Europe has provided a unique and profitable hunting ground, and law enforcement agencies have been slow to respond.

Are there business opportunities in Russia? Absolutely. The advisory from Moscow private investigators to heed extra caution is good advise. Play it safe. Be skeptical and verify.

Best of luck,

A. Hathaway
© 2010 A. Hathaway

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Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Best Russia Private Investigators

Choosing a Russia Private Investigator






In recent years, Russia has made significant progress in democracy and transforming into a more transparent government and economy. Even with the global economic downturn, the country is developing rapidly, both politically and economically. Despite this progress, however, Russia remains a high risk and corrupt country for investment and personal relationships. Hence, Russia private investigators and Russia background check services continue to be in high demand. No one wants to be a victim of a Russian dating scam or business fraud.

Finding a reputable Russia detective agency is not easy. Most of the Russian companies in St. Petersburg and Moscow lack professional experience and training necessary to conduct investigations for international clients. Industry experts report that the case types most in demand are pre-marital and infidelity, background checks, corporate fraud and due diligence. Many agencies in Russia claim to offer professional investigations but lack the proper training, experience, financial backing and equipment. A qualified professional can mean the difference between a successful case and money down the drain.

A firm that has drawn significant attention from competitors and clients is Russia PI™. The company is U.S. owned and managed, but maintains professional field investigators in St. Petersburg and Moscow, Russia, as well as Kiev, Ukraine. Field investigators have training in federal law enforcement or military, and client service is the top priority. The company has been a relief for international clients searching for reliable investigators, and has served as an overdue wake up call for the competition. The time for Western style business practices and transparency in Russia has arrived. Good client service is now required to stay competitive.

Regardless if you require a Russia private investigator or Russia background check service, it pays to shop around. Avoid local investigators who don't speak proper English. If the company or website is based in Russia, be skeptical and make sure you ask for references. Be patient and keep searching until you've found a professional. Choosing not to have the background check or investigation, or going with an amateur, can be costly.

Best of luck,

A. Hathaway
© 2010 A. Hathaway
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Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Russia Private Investigators & Dating Scams

Investigators Fight Dating Scams in Moscow






Russia private investigators and background check companies in Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia continue to be in high demand, despite the slow economy and near shut down of pre-employment screening across multiple industries. What's behind this high growth rate during a global recession? The answer is simple. Online dating scams and internet fraud is booming here.

Investigation companies in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Kiev all report sharp increases in online dating scams, pre-marital checks, and advance fee fraud. Other investigation types which are in demand during a healthy economy, such as due diligence and pre-employment screening, are at all time lows. But, the loss has been compensated for thanks to online scams and internet fraud.

Russia private detectives are spending more of their time and resources tracking down criminals who operate via the internet. International clients are also contracting Russia and Ukraine private investigators for background checks and premarital checks. With so many new dating and social networking sites, more Russian women are online seeking relationships, and more relationships (business and personal) are now begun online.

Consumers and businesses pursuing relationships or opportunities in Russia or the Ukraine are strongly advised to have a professional Russia background check service or private investigator verify the individual or claimed business. Simply taking your chances in Russia can be a costly experience.

Best of luck,

A. Hathaway
© 2010 A. Hathaway
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Sunday, October 18, 2009
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Firm plans subsidiary for Russia and the Ukraine

As fraud cases and international commerce levels continue to rise in Russia and the Ukraine, private investigators struggle to obtain marketshare in a region where demand for professional private investigation, due dilence and background checks is high. Wymoo® International is the current leader in marketshare for private investigation in these countries, and with their recent announcement to open a subsidiary in Russia, it is clear the firm and its affiliates are betting the demand will continue.

Investigation industry analysts estimate the majority of investigation, pre-employment and Russia background checks in Russia is driven by Russia's emerging market economy, as well as the high occurance of bridal and internet scams, otherwise known as advance fee fraud. Internet scam operations continue to operate nearly unchecked in Russia and the Ukraine, with close ties to organized crime in major cities such as Moscow and Kiev. Wymoo is hedging its bet on the political environment in Russia remaining a high fraud, high-risk business zone.

Wymoo Vice President, Paul Fletcher, states that "the demand for due diligence and pre-employment screening in Russia has never been greater, and we expect that demand to increase as the global economy continues to recover through 2012." In addition to standard background checks, foreign male clients in Australia, Canada, the U.K. and U.S. continue to drive up demand for surveillance, infidelity investigations, and pre-marital checks. Russian women increasingly search for romance and marriage via the internet, and these relationships should be verified.

The name of the subsidiary has not been released, but insiders familiar with the deal expect the website for Russia to open in January, and the team of Russia and Ukraine private investigators is already in place. As with Wymoo's other markets, the Russia and Ukraine team is rumored to be a professional group of former federal agents and military operatives. Wymoo has established itself as one of the most reputable names in international private investigation, and the firm is placing large bets on Russia and the Ukraine. If they are right, fraud and scam levels in the region will remain high, and consumers should take note of the risk.

Best of luck,

A. Hathaway
© 2006-2009 A. Hathaway
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Monday, June 22, 2009
Russian Dating Scams

Avoiding Russia & Ukraine Dating Scams











Russia and Ukraine dating scams and bridal fraud continue to operate throughout both nations, and victims are now more widespread than ever. Dating sites in the U.K., United States, Canada and Australia are now infiltrated with scammers seeking victims, not to mention the sites which specifically cater to men seeking Ukraine or Russia brides or relationships.

Law enforcement struggles to identify known scammers and criminals of fraud via the internet, especially in the Ukraine and Russia, where corruption remain at high levels. Of course, there are many decent and honest women in Russia and the Ukraine who are online seeking an honest relationship with a foreigner. The challenge remains how to identify the good from the bad.

Internet scams and dating fraud is now a serious and costly international issue. The annual loss from such scams, from the Ukraine and Russia alone, is estimated at well over $5M USD. Victims end up losing their money via common schemes such as assisting with education, paying for medical expenses, visas, rent, flights, or other emergencies or travel arrangements, otherwise known as advance fee fraud, online dating scams, etc.

For those seeking an honest woman via the internet in Russia or the Ukraine are advised to proceed with caution and to contract the services of a professional background check service. Due to the high level of fraud here, there are now competent private investigators operating in Kiev, Moscow and St. Petersburg who can assist clients with verifying identity, background checks, verifying education and employment, and identifying fraud.

Wymoo® now has field investigators based in Kiev and Moscow and offers clients a free and confidential investigation quote via its website. Consumers are advised against using local Russian owned agencies due to reports of fraud among those agencies.

Best of luck,

A. Hathaway
© 2006-2009 A. Hathaway
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Saturday, March 14, 2009
Russia and Ukraine Investigators

Elevated Risk Levels Warrant Extra Caution










Since the 2008 free fall in prices of crude oil, and the near collapse of the global economy, Russia and the Ukraine have entered somewhat dire straights, economically. These are nations that are crippled with fraud and corruption in a strong economy. A recession, unfortunately, always seems to bring out the worst, or in this case, the best of frauds, scams and criminals.

Scammers and criminals operating from the Ukraine and Russia have taken full advantage of the current global conditions, baiting individuals and investors around the world via the Internet. Among the tactics used are fake investment or company websites, inheritance scams, romance scams via match-making websites, and endless others. Scams are becoming more sophisticated, and in some cases, actual government documentation is even used. Scammers target businesses and use business acumen and vocabulary to build confidence in victims. Both romance and business fraud is becoming more difficult to detect.

Investors, individuals and companies are urged to obtain a professional background check or due diligence investigation prior to investing capital, serious time, or emotions in Russia or the Ukraine. Avoiding this verification can be costly.

While the number of PI services in St. Petersburg, Moscow and Kiev is still somewhat limited, there are reputable investigation and background companies available. Consumers should consider a professional investigator based in the U.K. or U.S., but with field operations in Russia or the Ukraine for reliable service.

Lastly, business deals and relationships that require an advance fee or line of credit in Russia or the Ukraine are especially suspect, and should be verified. Be safe and smart.

Best of luck,

A. Hathaway
© 2006-2009 A. Hathaway
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