Monday, July 25, 2011
Colombia Background Checks Help Avoid Marriage Scams



Colombia. The diversity of online scams, marriage for visa, internet fraud and romance scams is significant and is well known in Bogota, Barranquilla, Cartagena and Cali. Many Colombian women are seeking better lives, and trying to escape from the poverty and corruption that are all too common in many parts of the South American nation. While many women never have any intention to marry, and are simply seeking financial support from their online lovers, others are seeking marriage for visas into Canada, the U.S., Australia or the U.K. The Colombian women are seeking out their sugar daddies on major match-making and social networking sites.

Most of the scammers in this region look for love online and in addition to financial gain, señoritas are also looking for the ticket to get into developed countries by marrying the wealthy gringos or an aussie or brit, and of course the Canadians are also at risk. The local economy in Colombia has been slowly improving, but life in the country is still difficult for most women. The country’s reputation was greatly affected by organized crime and narco-trafficking in the past. Colombia has made significant gains against the cocaine production and drug producers, and these days it seems internet scams and romance fraud are almost an equally serious problem for the country.

Young people get jobs in cities like Bogota, but the wages are very low and in many cases no benefits are included. Colombia still has an alarming percentage of youth employed under the table and prostitution is like a cancer, especially in tourist areas like Cartagena, where the seeming majority of the women are for sale here, with tacky modifications such as butt implants, fake breasts and other plastic “enhancements” to attract their mate. For a Colombian woman, love has no meaning if her man has no money, and this mentality has no taken to the internet.

“It is pretty hard to get wealthy in these countries”, said one Colombia private detectives at his Bogota office. “With constant inflation and corruption, the population struggles everyday to make a better life for themselves and for their families. It’s not easy. These conditions have driven a lot of good Colombian women to prostitution.” The internet has brought a so called easy solution for those who want to increase their income. Education, or the lack of, is a serious problem in Colombia, and education and prostitution are inversely correlated. As education levels go up, marriage scams and prostitution go down. So far, there is no solution in site for better education and economic opportunities. In the meantime, romance scams should keep growing.
Colombian girlfriends can have multiple boyfriends abroad. They may request Western Union transfers to pay for school, rent, sick relatives, internet connections, and endless other combinations. One experts says in 80% of the cases surveyed involving online romance with Colombian women and foreign, there was at least one request for money, so men be ready to pay! These scammers can be convincing and gain their victim’s love with their beautiful looks and sweet words. Then when talk about marriage and money starts, it can be hard to turn down.

Specialists advise that if you are involved in a long distance relationship with a Colombian, especially via the internet, and want to move the relationship to the next level, be skeptical! If a Colombian asks for money, be skeptical! If you have feelings for a Colombian and you are considering a serious relationship, avoid the high risk and consider a professional Colombia background check to verify her story, and to make sure she is who she claims to be.

Best of luck,

A Hathaway

© 2011 A Hathaway

Read more
Friday, July 22, 2011
Philippines Private Investigators Caution Parents on Facebook

  • 7/22/2011
  • 1


Two weeks after Facebook launched its new application of video- chat, privacy specialists and private investigators are cautioning about the risks for children and youth on the social networking site. Experts say the video chat option on social networking sites like Facebook can be a valuable tool used by honest subscribers, but also a dangerous gateway for criminals to access your children. Philippines private investigators urge parents to be aware of the risk, and keep an eye on online activity.

Law enforcement and private detectives often warn consumers not to send money or to provide personal information over the internet. They say it’s a very bad idea to publish your birthday online, anywhere, and that publish simple things like your full name and date of birth and address is fast way to be a victim of crime like identity theft or even worse. Not to mention bank account information, passwords and other sensitive information. Match-making sites like Match.com and many others, including social networking sites simply have no way to screen the millions over users from locations around the globe. The criminals take advantage of this, and they go after easy targets.

Privacy advocates advise Facebook users to be very careful, review your contact list and do not click on suspicious links displayed in any social network service. Common scams include messages about one of your contacts being stranded some place, or in trouble. Another scam is supported by video chat, where you are able to hear or see your friend, obviously in a very bad video quality so you really won’t be able to really recognize him or her positively. Another one scam is receiving a video call or chat from a so called Facebook representative calling you from a hacked account of a friend or relative, to let contacts know their account is being compromised and contacts should be warned that they can fix this problem by paying Facebook technical support (with a credit card) and the problem will be solved, or the account will need to be closed, they say.

The new proximity of the video application provided by Facebook and Skype as a partner is a greater risk and an open door for teenagers and pre- teens. Philippines private detectives say adolescents are quite active in social media and usually chat from their 4G mobiles or get into video chat at night, alone in their rooms. Parents should be aware that their kids could be at serious risk, since adult criminals, including pedophiles, seek out relationships with such youngsters who do not understand the red flags and dangers behind the computer.

Teenagers use social networks and internet for more than just catching up with friends and doing their homework assignments. Sometimes kids accept strangers in their profiles as friends because they think he or she could be a neighbor or another school friend of a friend. Or, they just want more “friends” if you can call a Facebook contact that. The new Facebook video application is already causing some problems and complaints regarding the child safety from watchdog groups.

Privacy experts and investigators suggest:

- Supervise your children when they are online.
- Talk to your children about the risks they can face online, especially about strangers.
- Make sure your child’s account has a unique passwords with numbers and letters.
- Constantly update your privacy settings
- Leave profile information blank or restricted if you want, as this is the first information criminals and scammers check when hunting for victims.

Of course Facebook may claim it is the responsibility of the parents to allow their children to access this network, and wash their hands with that. After all, there is big money at stake. With Facebook now generating ad revenue with overpriced pay per click ads, the company is looking to cash in on all their loyal subscribers, and their subscribers’ children. The social media giant does include a short list of ways to stay safe while using video chat. However, the list falls short in explaining the real risks involved . (Facebook never says you can report the person to them, since you are responsible for who you accept as a “friend”). In short, be safe and skeptical. Experts say be sure your kids only video chat with people they know personally and trust.

Best of luck,

A Hathaway
© 2011 A Hathaway

Read more
Russia Private Investigators Warn about Romance Scams

  • 7/22/2011
  • 1


Russia and Ukraine based private detectives in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Kiev have witnessed one surging market amid a struggling economy: romance scams. Despite the high rate of unemployment and staggering economic growth, it seems that business is booming for the criminals. Demand for Russia background check and other verification services is up, as scammers take to the internet and target folks on match-making and social networking sites. The criminals objective is to gain your trust and then take you for every dollar they can.

It’s no secret that both nations are leaders of internet fraud. Internet criminals in Eastern Europe are professionals in the art of persuasion to get exactly what they want, and they are not only targeting rich Western men in romance scams, but along with their, let’s call it, commercial partners in China, these organized criminal groups are targeting small businesses and even corporations. Because economic investment and international business transactions is down, however, criminals are looking more to romance scams to defraud victims. Many websites like Match.com and Facebook have become the hunting ground for professional internet criminals. Whether it’s through identity theft or advance fee fraud, these fraudsters are experts at extracting the information they need to access your money, say Russia private investigators.  Anyone can be a victim.

Clearly, most Russians are decent and honest people, and have nothing to do with scamming people on the internet. It’s a case of a few bad apples ruining the reputation for the masses. Mixed among the population in Moscow, there are criminals who are masters at hacking, and once armed with personal and financial information, they can cost their victims thousands of dollars and serious emotional distress. The risk is real and these professional are now turning their attention to the relatively easier victims on social networking and online dating sites. Romance scams, it seems, are an area of expertise for Russian internet criminals. U.S. Embassy officials in Moscow have been receiving an increased number of complaints from citizens who have been scammed, and Australia and Canada consulates report a similar uptrend.

International private investigators have noticed that the scammers around the world are getting organized and are starting to work as crime cells. It is not a country alone anymore, which turns the internet even more and more insecure for its users. Russia is partnering with China, China is partnering with Malaysia and the Philippines, and the U.K. is partnering with Spain; and together the criminal networks become stronger and more organized, not to mention the high level of crime coming from amateurs working from internet cafes. Bin Laden himself had agents sending messages from internet cafes, so you can imagine the difficulty in identifying these people, since the CIA couldn’t locate the Muslim terrorist leader Bin Laden.

The response of offices like the FBI and different national police departments around the world and in Moscow and St. Petersburg has been relatively muted. Unfortunately law enforcement is still finding ways to stop these romance scammers, and experts say websites like Match.com and Facebook need to do more to protect their users. Knowing the risks and watching out for red flags, and keeping your private data private will help protect you.

Connecting with people, friends and fining romance online is a great option, but know the risks. If a relationship involves Russia or Eastern Europe, extra caution is recommended.

Best of luck,

A Hathaway
© 2011 A Hathaway

Read more
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Malaysia Private Investigators Caution Parents on Social Networks

  • 7/19/2011
  • 1


In the past five years the internet has been playing a major role in marketing and communication. With the declared media war between Facebook and Google, the two companies have been updating applications, partnering with other companies to provide users with new services and novelties. The social network frenzy is in full swing, and millions of young people are connecting online like never before. In Malaysia and many other countries, law enforcement has seen a sharp rise in the reported crimes involving romance scams, relationship fraud, identity theft and hacking. Internet criminals are now targeting social networks for easy victims, particularly young people, and Malaysia private investigators warn parents to talk to their children about the risk.

Some Malaysian entrepreneurs with a criminal mind are fast becoming masters of spam and other forms of deceptive mass marketing. Such spam and internet targeted scams can impact people around the world, and because criminals are now targeting Facebook, this site alone has more than 750 million reported users to choose from. Criminals can set up free accounts and begin to hunt for new victims, gaining their trust by becoming “friends” and then slow extracting their personal information such as address, date of birth, full name, etc. The pieces soon come together and the criminal is able to steal his young victim’s identity. Adults too are at risk, but experts say youth victims are perhaps the easiest targets online, as they are more trusting.

Kuala Lumpur investigators say scammers in Malaysia and the Philippines have been evolving the techniques of reaching more and more victims with two main objectives. First, stealing your money through advance fee fraud or romance scam, and obtaining goods or gifts from their new “friends”. According to the National Security Office based in London, England, UK and Malaysia private investigation firms are working together with international private investigators to prevent scammers, spammers, identify theft criminals and pedophiles from reaching children online.

Experts say globalization and an online world has replaced important values, and families are now different around the world. Children are growing up in single parent homes, homes with lesbian or homosexual “parents” and kids are spending more and more time behind the internet. Kids used to be couch potatoes, stuck behind the t.v. Now, children are spending countless hours in front of the computer, and law enforcement and Malaysia private detectives in Kuala Lumpur urge parents to talk with their children, and make sure they are aware of the risks online.

The fact is, despite what websites may want you to believe, there is no real privacy online. A good example of this is Google Maps, which provides a photograph, street view and even direction on how to get to your child’s address. If a criminal is a friend of your child on Facebook, chances are he knows when your child is home alone. The result, unfortunately, can be deadly. Such services and social networks are helping criminals in a big way, as they provide crucial information about you, your family, job and everything on your profiles. Investigators urge caution.

For online relationships involving Malaysia, it’s important to be aware of the risks online, and also the growing number of reported scam cases in the country and the region. If you believe you have met someone honest and trustworthy, be safe and consider a confidential background check to verify the subject’s identity and background. A professional Malaysia private detective can help you minimize the risk, know who you’re dealing with, and avoid being a victim.

All the best,

A. Hathaway
© 2011 A. Hathaway

Read more
Philippines Private Investigators: Social Networks a Growing Risk



2011 has been a gloomy year from an economic standpoint, and there seem to be no clear lights on the horizon. Entrepreneurs and people in general are downsizing and cutting expenses to make ends meet. On the other hand, it seems the outlook for online criminals is brighter than ever, and the FBI and Metropolitan Police in London both say that internet scams and fraud are growing at an alarming rate. If one country stands out among a consistent leader in the world of internet scams, it is the Philippines. Philippines private investigators and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) say that dismal economic conditions have supported the growth in crime via the internet, and Philippines dating scams targeting social networks are on the rise.

In times of crisis, people are more vulnerable. They keep working hard and studying harder to have a better future. They hold on. Often people look for more meaningful lives and new relationships, and in today’s internet world, many people seek out new relationships online. Social networking sites now have hundreds of millions of subscribers. Facebook alone has over 750 MILLION users, so a large part of the global population is now on Facebook. What Facebook is and why it’s popular remains a mystery to many, and some see no point in posting meaningless information to have “friend” click on like, if they like that. Regardless, sites like Facebook are huge and connecting the world like never before. But, criminals are also taking advantage of the situation, and law enforcement and private investigators say scammers are on social networking sites in increasing number, looking for new relationships and new victims to scam.

Philippines private detectives in Manila say they are seeing a steady rise in the number of victims who have been scammed by a Filipina or Filipino they met on Facebook or Friendster, or similar site. Many scammers feel they have better success finding victims on social networking sites because these sites have less security, they are free, and victims have the perception that the sites are safer than paid match-making sites, such as Match.com. Experts say this false sense of security is precisely what lands victims in trouble. Many people go online to make new friends or connect with new people in different parts of the world. In some cases, what they find, is that their identity has been stolen, or the bank accounts drained and their hearts broken.

Internet is the promise to find good friends, best lovers and a better work with just a click. But the truth is that in many cases, not everyone is who he or she appears to be behind the computer. Experts say it’s more important than ever to verify the facts, and if a relationship shows signs of promise, consider hiring a reputable private investigator for a complete background check. Investigators advise never to send money overseas to anyone who hasn’t been verified.

In the Philippines, cybercrime has increased by up to 25% in the past six years. The Technical Intelligence Division of the NBI registered 144 cases back in 2005 and more than 240 cases in 2010. The number went from three to five cases per week. A growing percentage of those scam cases involved social networks such as Facebook, MySpace, Friendster and Twitter. The island nation holds 7% of the total number of Facebook users and is a poor nation, but also a country with widespread access to the internet, where even the poorest citizens are savvy internet users. Romance scams are booming here, and scamming via the internet is part of the culture. Experts say that most scam cases, a very large majority in fact, go unreported to police.

Be safe and stay skeptical online. If in doubt, consider a Philippines background check.

Best of luck,

A Hathaway
© 2011 A Hathaway

Read more
Friday, July 15, 2011
UK Private Investigators Say Social Networks Pose Scam Risk



The United Kingdom, the land of Shakespearean tragic drama, the beating heart of rock music, showcase of some of the best and classic novels, and rich in history, the U.K. is also the home to Europe’s most unwanted internet scams.  And the trend is only getting worse.

Online scams have cost the British – individuals and businesses-  an estimated 15 million pounds already in 2011, and as internet frauds are evolving in their techniques and becoming more complex, victims can hardly see it coming. Perhaps more alarming, law enforcement and UK private investigators estimate that only 2 in 10 scams are reported, so as much as 80% of the UK fraud and scam cases never come across the desk of any law enforcement agency.  Victims are often too embarrassed to admit what has happened.  In the case of a business, managers and owners often want to avoid any negative publicity, or negative perception about their company which can result from going public about falling victim to an internet scam or business fraud.

Among the growing problem from internet crime and online scams, experts say social network sites pose the latest and fast growing risk.  The Metropolitan Police Service in London says that many scam cases now involve a social networking site such as Facebook or Twitter, and because those sites are free and not capable of screening all their users, these scammers seem difficult to stop.  As criminals become increasingly aware of the “easy money” available by scamming people and businesses on social networking sites, the crime rate and risk is expected to grow.

One of the main factors involving people falling for scams is comfort. People feel safe on a social networking site.  That is where their “friends” are or the people they “follow”.  Often users will unwittingly reveal their personal information such as an address, full name and date of birth.  These three pieces of data alone are a major welcome sign for identity theft.  Experts say users need to remember they are publishing their information for the world to see, and personal information should be closely guarded.   Never reveal your personal data on a website you’re not sure is secure.  Never post information letting others know you’ll be out of town, and your hosue will be empty.  Never send money to anyone overseas who has not been verified.

How to avoid these scams and the growing risk?  When you are in a familiar setting like your office or home, surrounded by family, co-workers or pets, threats are not seen. Con artists know this, and also know their victims’ emotional needs, wants, habits, desires and vulnerabilities.  John Wallace, an experienced investigator and Director of Global Background Checks at Wymoo® International explains.   “Scammers use proven techniques to target their victims, and they constantly change their tactics to match what the potential victim is interested in.”

Scammers often use a false identity (or borrow one from a real person), so it can be difficult to know who you’re dealing with online.  Criminals often take  a real name and address of the internet, and even matching photos of the person, and assume that identity.  This way if anyone trys to check the person out, the victim will feel certain that the person is real.  Experts say don’t be fooled, and if you’re considering a relationship with someone met via the internet, be skeptical and safe.  Know the risks and contact a professional firm for a UK background check.

Best of luck,

A Hathaway
© 2011 A Hathaway

Read more
Friday, July 8, 2011
Military Scams Target Online Dating Sites

  • 7/08/2011
  • 1


The major match-making sites like Match.com and eHarmony offer valuable services, and are effective at bringing people together. Social networking sites like Facebook also are connecting people via the internet and friendship and even love is often found online. Not to mention the countless other online dating and social networking sites. But, this new online meeting platform of the internet has risks, and the risks are growing. Romance scams are actually growing as criminals find new and creative ways to fool their victims. Among the fastest growing among them, are scams involving members of the military.

International private investigators and law enforcement agencies have seen plenty of stories of divorced or single people searching for Mr. or Ms. Perfect online, and then to be scammed for thousands of dollars, ending in emotional and financial ruin. Criminals and reported cases of persons claiming to be servicemean or women in the U.S. or U.K. military is increasingly common. Scammers claim to be in the U.S. or British Army stationed in Iraq or Afganistan fighting for their country. They gain their victims trust by telling them about his or her family, talking about the hardships of being away from home, being in battle, and more. Eventually, a romance is formed and the criminal has gained your trust. Soon, the “soldier” will send you photos of him serving in the military and will talk to you about coming home soon. Within this tangled web of lies will be some requests for your personal information to steal your identity, or he or she will attempt to get you to send money or valuables for a hardship or complication while serving abroad.

Photographs used are often taken randomly from the internet, where there are over 1 billion available for scammers choosing! Dating sites and social networking sites are easy places for criminals to get all the photos he or she needs. Criminals may also search public records to assume a real identity of someone in the U.S. or the U.K., and so the scammer has a real photo, a real name and address, and a very convincing story. Yet, buried in the details is the truth. Because of the increasing skill level and complicated scam techniques being used by criminals, consumers often contract a professional investigation firm to conduct an international background check to verify if the person is who they claim to be. A reputable investigation company can verify the subject’s identity, and confirm if he is indeed serving in the military.

Who’s behind this growing type of fraud and scams? Law enforcement officials like the Metropolitan Police Service in London and Interpol say that criminals are often based or have connections to organized criminal operations in West Africa in Nigeria or Ghana, but also in Spain, the U.K., Russia and the Ukraine and Spain. China is also seeing a sharp rise in criminals taking advantage of the internet for easy money. In short, no country is immune, and criminals often operate behind proxy servers or internet cafes to hide their true identity. The FBI receives thousands of complaints a year from people who have been scammed by unscrupulous people they have met online. The message is clear. There is a real risk in internet scams, and online dating and social network subscribers should be skeptical. When in doubt, contact a professional international investigation firm to verify with a background check or verification service.


Best of luck,

A Hathaway
© 2011 A Hathaway
Read more
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
UK Background Checks Advised to Avoid Online Fraud

  • 7/06/2011

The world has been economically struggling for the past three years. In the U.K. alone, economists affirm it has been the worst crisis since 1996; its inflation rate is compared to that of July ’08 when the global crisis was emerging. In Europe, Greece, Spain and Ireland are showing serious and real signs of collapsing, and developed economies like Germany are contemplating offering more financial assistance.

This has lead to worse migration trends and it seems that the U.K. is the number one spot for Greeks, Spaniards, Turks and anyone willing to cross the British Channel in search of a brighter future. UK private investigators  say this uncontrolled immigration is increasing crime rates, and putting serious pressure ont eh country. In fact, the U.K. has seen a sharp rise in online scams and internet fraud. Such criminal operations are often ran by criminal groups who are in the country illegally, or recently migrated.

In 2009 alone, online businesses in the U.K. experienced a notable percentage of lost revenue due to increasing internet fraud and hacking. Online merchants expect to lose 1.8% of their overall online revenue due to fraudulent online payments, an average of £400,000 in lost in revenue across all types of business. Threat s include payment fraud, inaccurate client data, system failure, virus threats and hackers causing malicious damage in which Germany is the most affected country in Europe. The U.S., Canada and Australia are often the targets. The Metropolitan Police Service in London and U.K. private investigators say that criminal operations conducting internet fraud often have ties to Russia, Spain, China and Nigeria.

As the economic problems continue, law enforcement and experts say that fraud and scams via the internet will likely continue and even increase. Criminals are looking for an easy way to make money. Scams can target businesses and even individuals on sites like Match.com and Facebook, with relationship fraud and romance scams. Consumers and business should consider a UK background check  to verify and new relationships or contacts made online in the U.K., for individuals and business. Verify first, and then decide. International due diligence by a professional private investigator or background check firm can be used as a form of insurance to minimize the risk. Be skeptical, ask for references, and experts say never provide payment or personal information to a person or company overseas who has not been verified.

International private investigators are specialists trained to uncover critical information about a company or a person and can save you from business losses and emotional distress, not to mention identity theft and serious financial and personal losses. Protect your business transactions, your finances and reputation. Unfortunately, in today’s global and internet world, people and businesses are easy to forge, and although most businesses and people are honest, due diligence is essential to avoiding scams and fraud.

Fraudsters these days are well organized, sophisticated and evolving. The risk is highest for international transactions, relationships and investments, and the U.K. is struggling to control this escalating crime. Until the situation improves, a background check or due diligence, and extra caution is advised.

Best of luck,

A. Hathaway
© 2011 A. Hathaway

Read more
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)