Showing posts with label internatonal private investigators. Show all posts
Showing posts with label internatonal private investigators. Show all posts
Friday, December 23, 2011
Russia Private Investigators Explain the Russian Threat of Hackers



Perhaps it’s true, that there is some prejudice when people say Russia has the most hackers in the world. Law enforcement and private investigators admit it may not be the highest, but the statistics certainly confirm it’s at least one of the highest risk countries in the world, where hackers are not only a real threat, but also a praised part of the Russian society. Russia is a corrupt and inefficient country, now facing an apparent dictatorship from Putin, among other serious corruption. When Russian hackers are identified for breaking into a bank or foreign government’s computer system, or bringing down another website, they can even be viewed as heroes in Russia.

Unfortunately Russians have earned their reputation, and there is a lot of work to be done so that they lose their bad fame. However, most agree that little is being done, and if anything, the problem appears to be getting worse. By perpetrating ongoing scams since the internet began, Russians have become quite good at what they do. Poor economic conditions and high unemployment in Russia drives many talented young people to the internet, where they can use their skills to make money, illegally and unethically. There simply aren’t many other opportunities, they say.

Many of the beautiful Russian brides online are nothing more than middle aged men, overweight and lazy, but quite proficient in internet, hacking and scams. They specialize in stealing money from Australians, Americans and Canadians. But beyond prejudices, the statistics show that 35% of the crimes happening on the internet come from a source based in Russia, costing the world a total of $2.5 and $3.7 billion USD annually. This is serious business, and the criminal activity in Russia actually drives the costs up for consumers around the world. Someone has to pay for the losses, and it’s not the Russian. Companies in developed countries have to develop security systems and other costly measures to combat the fraud and hacking. That cost gets passed onto consumers, shows research by New York University’s SCPS Center for Global Affairs.

Hackers have become a powerful threat today, as everyday more and more important operations take place online. Russia private investigators say that it is not only citizens sharing content or writing emails or sending documents through the internet who are at risk, but also bank transactions, governments, and other important agencies. Defense departments, service entities and company networks have to develop defensive technologies. The threat is constant.

The truth is that most Russians have had strong aptitude in Math, technology and software development. If the political and economic situation can change in Russia, there’s a good chance that this mental capital could be used to propel the economy and advance the country. Until there is transparency and fair elections, the status quo should remain. Inefficiencies and socialist corruption left over from the former Soviet Union need to go, and then the hackers.

In the meantime, law enforcement and private investigators agree that Russian background checks performed by experienced and reputable firms can greatly reduce the risk in the region.

Best of luck,

A Hathaway
© 2011 A Hathaway
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Friday, March 9, 2007
Why all the Buzz About Wymoo?

  • 3/09/2007
  • 1
A look at how the firm is changing the industry












If you haven't heard the name yet, and you're familiar with the background check industry, you will. No other player is making waves in the international investigation market like Wymoo®. In less than two years the firm has emerged from a limited website operation to a full scale global player, putting pressure on well-placed corporations to rethink their strategy.

What's behind the phenomenol growth and rapidly increasing market share? Our report covered several factors comparing Wymoo International to its competitors, but one area clearly stood out as their secret. Simply put: client service. While many websites and companies have focused on obtaining data via increasing automation and technology, Wymoo seems to have done the opposite. For example, when a client uses Wymoo's international investigative services, he or she is assigned an investigator to personally handle that client's case until and after completion. Reports are then emailed to clients 5 to 7 days later, in narrative reporting with personal attention, that well, we haven't seen in years. And, it hasn't gone unnoticed.

Estimates of market share are hard to determine, as Wymoo is a privately held company and closely guards all of its proprietary information. We do know, however, that it has increased more than 500% in 2006, with inception just in early 2005. In an interview with the firm's Vice President, David Wilkerson, our industry expert Danny Olson asked Wilkerson if this growth could continue, and whether or not he could shed any light on Wymoo's growth strategy. "We've built our firm on providing confidential and personalized professional investigations. Our global focus is strongly on client service and narrative reporting, not generic database search and automated reports. More companies today are geared towards outsourcing and automation. We prefer to do things the old-fashioned way, and there's no replacement for professional field investigators and real investigation."

Private investigators agree. Many developing countries don't have computerized public records, and the only way to obtain evidence in many international cases is to have an investigator on the ground. Local field investigators speak the same language and have contacts in the area, and can obtain records from local offices and courts. Having a local investigator means real investigation can be done, i.e. interviews and surveillance. Wymoo has field investigators in over 100 countries.

Client satisfaction is reportedly the highest in the industry at Wymoo, and it's no wonder that the firm has rapidly become a global competitor. As growth continues, keeping the personalized service and fending off competitors will be a real challenge. Asked about this concern, Wilkerson replied "our goal is to be the best, not the biggest. If we ever start to lose quality, we'll put the brakes on." So far the company's stategy is clearly working.

We'll follow up on the investigative firm in 2008.

All the best,

A Hathaway
© 2007 A. Hathaway
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