Showing posts with label philippines detectives. Show all posts
Showing posts with label philippines detectives. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Philippines Detectives Offer Tips to Stay Safe Online



Once again police departments have come together to dismantle a criminal net in the Southeast Asia region based in Taiwan, but operating in eight other countries including China and the Philippines. Their main objective: to target victims pretending to be tax collectors threatening civilians to pay their fines for not paying the right amount of government taxes.

Philippines investigators know that mobile phone scams are very popular and a very good source of income for fraudsters on virtual communication devices such as Skype, where telephone numbers are easily obtained, and can show any local number from nearly any country. Criminals would get buy and share database information regarding citizens and their tax information, and then use this information to convince their victim that they were indeed calling from the government, and indeed the victim faces jail time if they do not pay their bill.

This is the second major detention of scammers made this year was in the Malaysian Archipelago that operated in eight different Asian countries with 828 members now being sent back home to serve jail time. It’s a major victory in an uphill battle with no end in sight. Fighting internet fraud and scams, especially in the Philippines, can at time feel like a hopeless cause.

A mobile phone scam was discovered in 2010 that resulted in over 1800 victims who lost over 34 million U.S. dollars, as of September 2011, and police are still sorting through all the details. When this case is closed, there will no doubt be others. The criminals are expanding faster than law enforcement and private detectives can keep up. The global economy is in shambles and crime rates are rising in most countries around the world. What to do in these high risk times? Experts say use caution when someone requests personal information, whether it’s on the internet, phone or in person. Make sure you’re dealing with a verified person or business, and even then, be skeptical and ask for assurance that it’s safe to share your private information.

Philippines detectives offer the following advice to stay safe online:

1. Never reveal your private information on the internet to any person or company who has not been verified.
2. When entering your personal data or credit card information, always check for SSL or https technology with a lock on your browser.
3. Ask the person or company for references to be sure you’re dealing with a reputable and qualified professional.
4. Search Google for the individual or business name to be sure there’s no negative information or cause for alarm.
5. Listen to your instinct. Are there red flags? Do you feel uncomfortable providing your personal data? If so, don’t.
6. If you’re dealing with a business, look for trust seals such as Truste, McAfee, Verisign or the Better Business Bureau.
7. When in doubt, consider a professional due diligence investigation or discreet background check to verify the person or business.
8. Remember that any information you share online may end up in the wrong hands.

Choose your “friends” wisely on the internet and be skeptical about any new contacts on social networking or online dating sites. Scammers are in greater numbers than ever, and no site is completely immune from fraud. Stay safe and skeptical and when in doubt, contact a professional. Reputable companies like Philippine PI™ say that prevention is key, and consumers should think of a background check or due diligence like an insurance policy, that when used early, can be a very effective tool in minimizing risk and verifying relationships.

Best of luck,

A Hathaway
© 2011 A Hathaway 

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Friday, August 26, 2011
Philippines Scams Keep Investigators on Alert

There’s no stopping for private investigators trying to solve multiple cases of internet fraud and scams from the Philippines. It’s been an ongoing problem and it just doesn’t seem to improve. As the internet evolves, fraudsters move ahead with and adapt to the most sophisticated methods possible to fool internet users around the world. Whether it be business fraud, romance scam, Filipina bride scams, dating scams, phishing scams, PPC fraud or identity theft, the Philippines ranks among Nigeria as a global scam capitol.

Poverty and poor education has made the Philippines a high risk nation for fraud that permeates all levels of society. Many unscrupulous men and women in Manila and Cebu, to all corners of the island nation, have found that cheating foreigners offers an alternative way to get money easily and with little risk of getting caught. The sad story perhaps is that most criminals are young people trying to get funds not necessarily to prosper, to invest, or to pay for college, but rather to use drugs and alcohol consumption.

In some cases, Philippines private investigators have joined forces with the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippines National Police in the Philippines and other security forces in Manila, as well as with neighboring Asian countries such as Malaysia. (Malaysia is one of the fastest growing countries in the world for internet scams and fraud, and could soon surpass the Philippines). Malaysia, Thailand and Taiwan have been able to prosecute criminals that have committed major fraud cases. With each success story and arrest, however, there are 20 to 50 reported new cases of major internet scams. The fact is government and law enforcement agencies in Southeast Asia are ill-equipped to combat such internet scams.

The types of scam and fraud cases are seemingly endless. In some cases telemarketing type callers will contact potential victims claims to be government agents, informing the person that there are fees or taxes that are past due. When fraud and scams don’t work, criminals are turning to extortion, claiming to have dirt on the person and will threaten to damage his or her reputation, costing the person his or her job. The NBI in the Philippines has increased its cyber crime division, but professional Philippines detectives say it is too little too late. Criminals seem to understand this also, and they conduct crime openly from internet cafes and in many communities, it is an acceptable way to make a living, believe it or not. Poverty stricken areas tend to look the other way when young people turn to internet scams and prostitution. Anything to survive they say, and many locals claim they have no other choice. Experts say poverty and corruption is a factor, but never an excuse. For honest and hardworking individuals, there is always opportunity.

Investigators, law enforcement and the media have been emphasizing on the proper ways that people can keep themselves safe by using common sense and not being so open to strangers, above all, not sharing personal information that may put themselves at risk. If you’re communicating via Facebook, Filipino Cupid, Match.com or similar site, be safe and never reveal your full name, address and date of birth and photos. This information together is nearly enough to have your identity stolen. Be safe and skeptical.

Remember that if you’ve never met the person in real life, and have been only communicating via the internet, there is no way to know for sure if the person is legitimate. Experts advise a comprehensive background check by a reputable private investigator to minimize your risk. Verify the individual and then decide. Philippine background checks, due diligence or surveillance at the right time can save you a lot of trouble and unpleasant experience. Play it safe in the Philippines and verify.

Best of luck,

A. Hathaway
© 2011 A. Hathaway




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Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Philippines Detectives Say Senior Citizens Caught in Telemarketing Scam



Figures reveal that senior citizens who are living on their own might be a special target for telemarketing scams which originate from the Philippines. Scammers operating from Manila have been identified as operating telemarketing scams which target U.S. and Australia citizens mainly. Trained sellers would call their victims offering services and bogus products to them, free prizes, low cost vitamins, health care products or inexpensive vacations, with the aim to get your personal and banking information. The goal of the criminals is to have a friendly sales call with a senior, and to extract as much information as possible, later to be used for further phishing and identity theft tactics to eventually access the victims’ bank account or financial information. Philippines detectives say if the offer sounds too good to pass up, the best thing to do is hang up.

Whether it’s an email address, phone number date of birth or address, experts says it’s always best to reveal as little information as possible. One piece of information may seem harmless enough to give out over the phone, but law enforcement and reputable Philippines private investigation firms like Philippine PI™ say criminal use information they already know to put the pieces together, and then use that information to their advantage. For example, criminals in Manila recently were using public records to target seniors. They used the phone book to find the subject’s full name, address and telephone number. Then, by making scam phone calls pretending to be a bank or government official, scammers were able to obtain many dates of birth and even ID numbers. Taken together, criminals were able to steal some senior citizens’ identity, and even in some cases, access bank account information and steal significant amounts of money.

Philippines investigators explain that telemarketers can often be recruited by criminals to use their sales skills for illegal purposes. The person on the other side of the phone will pressure you to make a fast decision because the offer will expire in 30 minutes, or will be a serious security issue for your bank account, and you have to act fast or your account could be at risk. With a skilled sales person and convincing pitch, and pressure to act, many seniors fall for the scam and reveal their account numbers (for verification) or also their ID numbers (also for verification). The convincing criminal explains it is for their own security of their accounts that they verify. In some cases telemarketing scams can also use emails to further increase credibility and trust.

Unless the company identifies itself and is a company or institution you are familiar with, it’s best to hang up. If they offer you something free, be skeptical, and end the call for your own safety. Nothing in this world is free, unfortunately. If it is a bank or institution you are familiar with and have an account with, explain to the caller that you will call the bank back directly, at the number that is listed on your statement from your bank, to be sure you’re conversation is secure.

Never send any money to anyone you don’t know. Avoiding providing your credit card or bank account number, and never reveal your ID number. A big warning sign is when the telemarketer tells you “You don’t need to speak to anyone about this offer” or “You need to act now if you’re interested in the offer” which are major red flags for fraud and criminal activity.

Legitimate companies identify themselves accordingly and often inform you of good promotions and offers they have in a different way, such as via the physical mail or on their company website. A respectable company will never call you directly and pressure you to make a decision.

Stay skeptical and be aware of the risk for fraud and scams. If seniors have any doubt about the legitimacy of an offer or company, they should contact a reputable private investigation company or their local law enforcement or Better Business Bureau for assistance.     G48HWKZRSP63
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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Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Best Philippines Background Checks

Choosing a Philippines Background Check Service






Due to the high risk for fraud and scams in the Philippines, Philippines private detectives and Philippine background checks remain in high demand. Finding a competent and credible private investigator in the Philippines, however, is no easy task. Many are untrained locals who lack professional investigation experience. Finding a real professional truly makes all the difference.

In most cases, clients are best off going with a U.S. or Europe based investigation agency, rather than choosing a local Philippine based investigation company or investigator. With a U.S. or Europe based company, clients often receive higher levels of customer service, and the companies themselves are more accountable and transparent, on average. While a Philippines based investigator may offer lower prices, often it means money down the drain. Uncovering evidence requires expertise.

Now the largest professional Philippines private investigator, Philippine PI™ is based in the United States but maintains a team of over 12 full time field investigators in the Philippines, and the firm has established relationships with various Embassies, the NSO (National Statistics Office), the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) and Manila and Cebu police agences. The firm maintains one of the highest rates of client satisfaction in the industry, and offers full service and discreet private investigation, background checks, due diligence, surveillance, infidelity and pre-marital checks, missing persons, as well as criminal and corporate fraud investigations. Each of their investigators is professionally trained, with experience in law enforcement or military.

When shopping for a private investigator or Philippines background check company, be sure to ask the following key questions. Does the company list its company address and phone number on its Contact Us page? Does the company and website display professional affiliation seals, such as Truste, McAfee or the Better Business Bureau? Does the company website utilize secure connections (SSL) so that your communication is secure? (You should see a lock on your browser). Does the company offer a secure payment method via its own secure website? Does the site display a Privacy Policy? If the answer to any of these questions is no, keep shopping! After all, you get what you pay for.

Best of luck,

A. Hathaway
© 2010 A. Hathaway

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Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Manila Private Investigators in Demand

Philippines Detectives Working Overtime










Philippines private investigators are once again in high demand, as companies and consumers abroad with relationships in the Philippines try to avoid the high level of fraud and scams. Business fraud, infidelity and surveillance, and background checks are among the case types being requested by international clients in Manila and Cebu. It's unclear if the poor economy is entirely to blame. What is clear is that the level of scams and fraud in the Philippines is at an all time high. While this is bad news, this has been good business for Philippines private detectives.

Partly responsible for the high case loads of Philippines private detectives is the high percentage of Philippine women who meet foreign men via the Internet. The Philippines is well known for its online dating scams, and advance fee fraud cases involing Filipinas seeking financial gain. Although most Filipinas are honest and decent women, the scammers have certainly tarnished the country's image and the reputation of its beautiful women. Industry observes report that Philippine dating scams are at a record level, fueling the demand for private detectives.

Business fraud in the Philippines is also higher than in recent years. Case levels for due diligence and corporate fraud in Manila are nearly double what they were in 2007, according to one private investigation company in Makati. Companies are urged to request a background check or due diligence on any potential business partner in the Philippines. To avoid Philippine dating scams, consumers are advised not to send money for any reason, unless the subject is known very well personally or has been verified by a reputable professional private investigator.

The economic situation in the Philippines remains grim. Private investigators who have been in high demand due to the increase in fraud and scams have no doubt fared the crisis well. Insiders suggest the private investigation business in the Philippines should remain strong, and as the economy recovers, due diligence cases and pre-employment screenings should rebound. But, what will become of the scams and fraud is yet to be seen.

Best of luck,

A. Hathaway
© 2010 A. Hathaway

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