Showing posts with label background checks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label background checks. Show all posts
November 27, 2012
Online Dating Scams on the Rise, Background Checks Advised















Dating scams are on the rise, despite the countless warnings on TV and the internet. It seems the more we read and the more we think we are prepared, the more criminals come up with new ways to find victims, and make the internet a more dangerous place.  Even for those who don’t use online dating websites, experts say dating scams can affect anyone on the internet on any social network or online dating website, or any website where people are interacting or emailing.

Victims and professional international investigators report that dating scams are growing increasingly complex.  Among the most common are now military scams where criminals portray themselves as members of the U.S. or British military.  Major sites like Match.com and Facebook are also seeing a rise in scam cases, despite their active effort to warn users about the risk of meeting people online.  Many scammers prefer Facebook because it is free and there are so many potential victims on the network.  Often victims don’t expect to be targeted on Facebook, so this also gives criminal a slight advantage when conducting romance scams there.

For those internet savvy users who like to verify companies and people you meet on the internet, the task is getting more and more difficult.  Internet criminals now commonly steal or use real identities to conduct their fraud, so when victims try to verify, everything checks out.  This works well because of the loss of privacy on the internet. For example, if your profile is on Facebook or any other place on the internet, criminals can search Google to possibly learn about your job, your age, your address (even photos of your home on Google Maps), and so on.  Websites that post bio information on employees are great resources for criminals.  Using publicly available information on the interet, criminals ensure their victims that they are real, and trustworthy.   

Everyone who has a public profile on the internet is susceptible to having their information stolen. The more information you provide or share online, the more pictures of moments you publish, the more of target you become for identity theft, internet crime, romance scams, and more.  In many real world crimes such as rape, assault, robbery, etc, criminals first research their target online to learn more about their home, activities, etc.  Be sure, dating scams are real crimes.

The fun days of sharing your information and photographs with family and friends… and friend of friends… are long gone. A recent report published by Glamour Magazine alerting women to fall for military scams, claims that ONE out of TEN profiles in social media are falsified.

Investigators insist that if you are starting an internet relationship, you should consider a complete background check investigation to verify the information and subject’s identity.

All the best,

S. Birch
© 2012 S. Birch



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August 29, 2012
Wymoo® Advises Caution with Social Networking












Social networking and social networking sites are the latest craze, and people around the world are now connecting, meeting and sharing information like mad.  Facebook is by far the most popular social site of all, where an estimated 800 million or more people of all ages and ethnicities show their profile to millions of others around the world. Social networks have become a great source for information gathering for many.  Employers, law enforcement, private investigators and even criminals now actively use the information found online and on social networks. 

Law enforcement across the U.S. and Europe have reported many cases where the criminal first studied his victim online, before committing the real world crime.  Thanks to all your sharing on social networking sites, criminals can often determine your address, date of birth, where you work and where you went to school, and obtain photos of you and your family, all without ever meeting you.  Then, the criminal can view your house and even what kind of car you drive by using Google Maps.  If you post when you’re away for the weekend or on vacation, it doesn’t take long to see the risk. Private investigators have seen cases of robbery; identity theft, harassment, rape and even murder originate from information first found on a social networking site. 

Careful What You Share 

Privacy is important, and should be treated as such.  Never post your date of birth or address on social networking sites such as Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, etc.  Remember what you share with your followers or friends, could end up in the wrong hands.  As a rule, know that what you post on the internet, may be visible by the world and hard to get off the internet once it is published.  Never post when you are away from home for strangers and potential criminals to see. 

Be Skeptical of New “Friends” 

Many internet criminals and scammers are using social networking sites as a hunting ground to find their victims.  Scammers often will send you a friend request or want to connect with you.  Their profiles often look harmless, or even exactly what you’re looking for.  They may seem friendly and show no signs of any red flags.  Their goal is to gain your trust, and slowly extract information from you.  Once they have sufficient information on you, they can steal your identity, or even install a virus on your computer via an email attachment to steal your passwords.

Be skeptical of all relationships formed online.  If you believe the person is honest and real, consider a phone conversation before meeting in person, if you plan to do so.  If you meet in person, be sure to meet in a public place.  If the relationship is only online, restrict the communication to your social networking site, and don’t use your personal email. 

Who’s Reading Your Profile? 

Privacy is being threatened every day.  Governments want more control over their citizens, and big brother is watching.  Certain words may trigger a red flag with government agencies to begin to monitor your accounts and activity for “security concerns”.  Or, your employer, without your consent, may begin to include social network monitoring to ensure their employees aren’t engaged in any unethical or “inappropriate” behavior outside the workplace.  Fight for your privacy and take advantage of any privacy settings available on social networking sites.  Set your privacy settings to friends only, and refuse your employer and other companies access.

If you have over 500 contacts or “friends”, you may consider reviewing your contacts, and ask yourself if you trust all those individuals or companies who you’re sharing with. 

Avoid Dating Scams

Online dating and romance scams are no longer exclusively for online dating sites.  Many new romances (and scams) are now started on social networking sites like Facebook.  Watch out for red flags such as requests for money, traveling overseas, situations that seem too good to be true, etc.  If you think the relationship has potential and may be worth pursing, be safe and contact a reputable investigation firm for a discreet dating background check investigation.  

All the best,

S. Birch
© 2012 S. Birch

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April 21, 2011
Background Checks to Prevent Identity Theft in the Philippines


High levels of unemployment and poverty have made the Philippines country ripe with diverse types of fraud activity. From online dating scams to Medicare fraud to identity theft, widespread corruption helps criminals to get away with the crime on a routine basis, and law enforcement is slow to act. Recent reports show that theft identity is a rising form of crime in the Philippines and usually can be traced to online dating scams, as many profiles on Filipina match-making or internet dating sites now include false profiles. In many cases, there is no way for the victim to verify the information on his own.

Con artists steal identities in order to access resources like credit lines or unemployment benefits in that person’s name, and organizations or individuals that are defrauded with identity theft also suffer the consequences, therefore, they also become victims. Scammers may take the information of someone they know, and even have stolen or false identification to assume an identity of someone else in the Philippines, making it even harder for a background check to confirm evidence of fraud. In some cases, having a professional Philippines private detective in the local area is the only way to verify.

These cases result in more than one victim, as the target of the scam gets taken, as well as the individual who has his or her identity stolen. Because it is very hard to find out when or where your personal information has been stolen, once the identify theft is discovered, the damage is usually done. Assuming a false identity or stealing a true identity in the Philippines is a sign of increasing criminal savvy.

Online dating scammers specialize in stealing and falsifying passports, visas, bank statements and photographs of the person they are pretending to be. In most cases, the girl of your dreams is usually an related man or woman who cares little about your feelings, but is most interested in your money. Even when a web cam is used, it is not necessarily an indication that the case is clean. Criminals and scammers are now using pre-recorded video feeds to increase confidence and trust in their victims. Or, the girl online may be real, but may be using a false name or stolen identity to get aware with her crime. Such scams can be run be older women or men, who handle the business and might be the one receiving the gifts and money you send her for education, medical expenses, or that business you will own.

To be on the safe side, consumers should consider a professional Philippines background check. And be sure the company or the investigator you are contacting has all the credentials and is a well established business, because there are also so-called private detectives that will charge less for their service, but not necessary fulfill the request, or even worse, might contact the subject, extort money from you or the subject, and provide you with false information that will lead to even further frustration.

Philippine PI is one of the largest and most reliable private investigation agencies in the Philippines, and the company is verified by the United States Better Business Bureau. With zero complaints on file for the past 3 years, the firm sets a prime example of level of trust and professionalism private investigators should strive for. With professional field investigators based in Manila, Quezon City, Cebu City, Davao and Cagayan de Oro, investigation services include background checks, due diligence and surveillance, and more. Know the risk, be skeptical, and if in doubt, contact a reputable private investigator.

All the best,

S. Birch
© 2011 S. Birch

For further reading: See the Philippines private investigator article by John Wallace.
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September 6, 2010
Global Background Checks, Know the Facts

  • 9/06/2010
Do Global Background Checks Really Exist?









Global background checks offered by companies on the internet are normally a scam. There are a few firms that actually offer sufficient international services to qualify, but 90% of the companies or websites claiming to offer global background checks are a fraud. That's right, the majority of the companies don't even offer a true domestic investigation, let alone a global one. Most websites claiming to offer background checks actually just search databases for criminal records. This is not an investigation, it is not a true background check, and it is a reckless way of dealing with risk. A real background check is a professional investigation. An international background check requires professional field investigators in foreign countries. And a global background check requires a global company, or a real organization with a significant number of field investigators in foreign countries to investigate at an international level.

A real background check is a prudent investigation conducted by professional investigators; it is a verification and investigation process which includes searching criminal records and many other factors. It's important to know that criminal records cannot be checked via a database for most international cases. Foreign investigations require international investigators or field investigators in the countries where you need them. If you require a background check on a person or company with significant operations or history in one or more foreign countries, a real global or international background check would be required to gather the evidence.

True professional background checks and private investigations don't exist for $39.99. Real background checks are investigations which cover many factors, including education and employment history, criminal and civil records, ID and passport verification, document verification, informant testimony, travel records, etc. It is not imposible to conduct an international or global background check with no offices or field investigators, or agents in the countries where you need the evidence. There is no magical global database, not even for the CIA. The fact is the majority of the world is still developing, and vast regions in South America, Africa and Asia are still filing records the old fashioned way. If there is no field investigator on the ground who speaks the local language with the appropriate contacts with police, government and other offices, the job won't get done.

Always ask where the company offices and investigators are located. To conduct an international or global background check, an international private investigator, or a company with offices or investigators in several countries is required. You can't conduct a Malaysia background or Benin background check without investigators in Malaysia or Benin, plain and simple. Ask or check the company website to make sure the field investigators or field offices exist, and they are where you need them. Searching databases simply isn't an option for international cases.

Fraud and scams are on the rise, so it's more important than ever to know who you're dealing with, and minimze your risk.

All the Best,

S. Birch
© 2010 S. Birch
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May 27, 2010
Internet Dating Scams Booming in Recession

  • 5/27/2010
Despite Global Recession, Online Scams Remain High






Online dating scams and fraud are at higher levels than ever, despite the global recession. Criminal operations worldwide, especially in West Africa in countries such as Nigeria and Ghana, but also in new high risk zones, such as Malaysia and the U.K. are reporting high incident of internet scams and fraud. Traditional areas of high risk like the Philippines, Ukraine and Russia are all at higher risks than last year. Internet dating scams are targeting consumers on trusted sites like Facebook and Match.com.

The scammer’s level of sophistication has increased, and detecting the criminal is no longer an easy task. Who is the real thing and who is after your money or personal information? It can be very difficult to tell. Professional online scammers now use software to hide or change their IP address, they use internet phones (VOIP) to call you on any local number, they speak professionally and gain your trust. They even have real identifications in some cases (stolen) and have addresses which match public records. Because of this new level of risk and criminal savvy, consumers often have to call on the services of a private investigation company to verify the subject.

One firm which has been leading the industry in international background checks is Wymoo® International. The company is now a leader in international private investigation and verification services, and global investigation services include dating background checks, pre-employment, due diligence and infidelity or surveillance, among others confidential and discreet investigation services. The company uses professional field investigators in over 100 countries, and relies less on automated (and often outdated and inaccurate) database search technologies. In fact, management has made it clear that they intend to remain focused on the best field investigators worldwide, and the latest Wymoo® press release cites this and customer service for their impressive growth record.

Whether or not you hire an international private investigator, industry experts offer the following advice. Be skeptical of persons met online, even if you met on large and popular sites such as Facebook, eHarmony or Match.com. Be aware that criminals target people on these sites and scams are often initiated there. Never provide your personal information or send money to anyone who has not been verified. Be very skeptical of anyone who requests money, for any reason. Lastly, if the relationship was begun online and is progressing, hire a professional international background check company to verify the individual or entity, and minimize your risk for scam or fraud. It pays more than ever to be informed and cautious.

All the Best,

S. Birch
© 2010 S. Birch
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April 5, 2010
Online Dating Background Checks

  • 4/05/2010
Better to be Safe than Sorry - Avoid Scams & Fraud







More people are connecting online than ever before. Sites like Facebook, Match.com and literally hundreds of others, have enabled people from all over the world to connect socially and romantically. There are now millions of subscribers to sites like Facebook and Match.com and relationships are now commonly initiated via the Internet, rather than in person. This new format for meeting people and relationships presents significant risks.

In many cases, the person on the other end of the Internet is in fact who he or she claims to be. But, this can be very hard to know for sure. Mr. or Ms. Perfect, in many cases, can be rather misleading about his or her background, or worse, be a criminal conducting scam or fraud. To avoid being a victim of fraud or scam, and to verify the identify of the person you're dealing with, consumers are advised to get a dating background check.

Relationships which pose the greatest risk, and wich are the hardest to verify, are international relationships begun over the Internet. It can be very difficult to determine if the person is who he or she claims to be, and often verifying this requires the work of a professional private investigator or international background check company to uncover the facts and evidence.

Of course there are many real and honest people connecting everyday internationally and via the Internet. The risk and problem lies in the fact that there are increasing numbers of criminals who are also taking advantage of easy prey on Facebook and Match.com and other sites, which allow the scammers and other criminals to approach the victim and start a relationship. The objective is usually to slowly build a relationship and gain the victim's trust. Eventually, the criminal hopes to gain financially, either by requesting money directly for an emergency or other reason, or by carefully obtaining the victim's personal data.

Experts warn never to send money or personal information to individuals or businesses abroad which have not been verified. Be skeptical of any financial requests from anyone on the Internet. Lastly, if something seems to good to be true, it probably is.

All the Best,

S. Birch
© 2010 S. Birch

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March 9, 2010
Best International Private Investigators

  • 3/09/2010
Choosing an International Private Investigator






The market for international private investigators remains very limited. Some websites and companies do claim to offer both international private investigations and international background checks, although their services hardly qualify as an actual investigation. There are some companies which offer record searches in multiple countries for civil, marriage and criminal history, but the options for real professional international private investigation is truly quite limited. The truth is, records in most developing nations are not yet archived on computerized systems, which makes searching databases of little value.

There are some ways to sort through the mess of determining who offers real investigations and who does not. When shopping for an international private investigator or investigation company, it's important to know if the company has field investigators in country where you need the records searched or investigation conducted. A local field investigator means the company is able to speak the local language, and likely is capable of obtaining the evidence or information you require. This also means the private investigator can view the subject of the investigation, which can mean valuable evidence such as photographs and testimony from informants. Such are the fruits of real investigation.

One company that has established a reputation as a leader in the international private investigation industry is U.S. based Wymoo® International. As many companies have focused less on client service and more on generic database searches, Wymoo® has focused on hiring the best field investigators in over 100 countries. The firm assigns a professional investigator for each case, and also utilizes national and international databases. The firm's gain in market share indicates clients are taking notice.

Before choosing an international private investigator or international background check company for an investigation, ask the website or company if they have field investigators in the country where you need the evidence. If they do not, you should ask how they can acquire the evidence you are seeking. Even today, competent investigators are hard to replace.

All the Best,

S. Birch
© 2010 S. Birch
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February 9, 2010
International Background Checks Booming

  • 2/09/2010
Demand for Background Checks Remains Strong








Despite the global economic crisis, one industry is performing quite well in both developed and developing nations. Private investigator and international background check firms have reported sharp increases in demand and profits during the past year, driven largely by the increased amount of online criminal activity, reported romance scams and business fraud.

Global hiring has yet to show signs of rebounding in most nations, so international background check firms and private investigation companies have not been able to rely on pre-employment screenings for revenue streams. Perhaps unexpectedly, the global recession created a large increase in the global activity for fraud and scams, which in turn has fueled the demand for international private investigators who investigate these cases.

Criminal operations in West Africa, for example, have increased the demand for Nigeria background checks and Nigeria private investigation services to screen for advance fee fraud, online dating scams, and to conduct due diligence for the oil & gas industry. Industry experts also cite similar increases in fraud and scam activity in Eastern Europe and in some parts of Asia, where consumers and businesses seeking opportunity abroad confront more risks. Professional private investigators and background check companies offer services to minimize that risk.

When the global economy improves, many industry observers expect the level of fraud and scams to somewhat decline, while companies should see a rise in pre-employment screening and international due diligence cases for international investment and global business. If the forecasts are accurate, international private investigators may stay in high demand for some time.

All the Best,

S. Birch
© 2010 S. Birch
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August 20, 2009
Nigeria Scams & Private Investigators

  • 8/20/2009
Background Checks Rise with Scams and Fraud








Since the rise in Nigeria's 419 fraud in the 1990's, most people and businesses are skeptical about engaging in relationships involving Nigeria, or West Africa in general. However, Lagos, Nigeria is a huge metropolis, with an estimated population of 10 million inhabitants, and international business and investment is a necessary part of life here. International investment and foreign business here is extensive. Consumers and businesses have learned, and continue to learn, how to avoid the scams.

Corruption is also a way of life in Nigeria, and although authorities and law enforcement have made some progress, including some major arrests, scams and fraud continue. Avoiding Nigeria all together can mean missed opportunity for some international businesses. And avoiding all individuals from Nigeria due to the high risk of fraud, wouldn't be completely fair either.

How can a business or individual pursue a business or personal relationship with someone from Nigeria safely? The answer to that question is why the Nigeria private investigators and background check business is booming. Verifying individuals and businesses here is essential, as the risk of scams and fraud is too high, and too risky to ignore. Consumers are advised to use a professional investigation firm which is based outside of Nigeria, but one that has field investigators in Nigeria. One such firm with field investigators in Nigeria is Wymoo International, which currently has field investigators in over 100 countries worldwide. There are also some firms in the U.K. which now cover Nigeria.

Hiring a local investigator to save money is not recommended due to the widespread corruption and fraud in Nigeria and West Africa. Business and individual clients should expect to pay a fair price for a professional Nigeria background check, since any investigation in high risk zones such as Nigeria comes at a price. The verification, however, is a wise investment.

All the Best,

S. Birch
© 2006-2009 S. Birch

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July 8, 2009
Internet Dating Scams

  • 7/08/2009
Scams Drive Demand for Background Checks











So many websites now offer online dating or match-making services that it's hard to estimate the actual size of this new and global industry. Match.com still leads the industry, but new smaller sites now offer almost any niche imaginable, such as Jewish dating, senior dating, divorced dating, and many, many more. With this rise in online dating, there has been a equal rise in the demand in international background checks.

While there are some efforts to curb scammers and fraud operations, no website is immune from scammers. Match-making websites simply aren't equipped to properly screen all customers. Many sites now do offer scam prevention information on their websites, and also recommend background checks to their customers who are considering a more serious relationship.

The high risk areas for online scams and dating fraud remain Russia, the Ukraine, Ghana, Nigeria, Colombia and the Philippines. However, most professional investigators agree that no country is immune. There is simply no way to be 100% sure if Mr. or Ms. Perfect is truly who he or she claims to be without the verification process of a professional background check.

Internet dating scams are increasingly common in developed nations like the U.S. and the U.K. and while most people on the internet are honest people, the risk of fraud remains high. Be skeptical of any financial requests from a potential mate, no matter what the reason. If all seems good, and the relationship seems to have potential to move forward, a dating background check is highly recommended, and a wise insurance policy.

The potential reward of finding a meaningful relationship and potential partner still outweighs the risk of dating online. Knowing the risk and being informed only increases the odds!

All the Best,

S. Birch
© 2006-2009 S. Birch
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June 25, 2009
International Background Checks

  • 6/25/2009
Verification Options Available for Consumers










International background checks remain an emerging market, despite a large number of companies and websites that claim to offer such a service. As the global economy continues on the path of globalization and electronically connected markets, more providers are rapidly trying to fill the need for verifying individuals and organizations in foreign countries.

Whether your needs are pre-employment screening, missing person, corporate investigations, civil records, background checks, infidelity, surviellance or insurance fraud, international investigators are still limited. Kroll offers international services in their automated and database methodology, whereas Wymoo® leads the industry with its network of global field investigators. The latter approach seems to be the most effective.

Local field investigators means having a professional on the ground, in the country or region of origin. The local investigator knows the local language, has local contacts, and knows how to access information in that country. Database searches ran from abroad simply aren't effective, and relying on this type of approach for a background check is reckless.

As more investigation firms begin to offer their services internationally, be sure to ask if the investigation will involve a local field investigator. Operating from the other side of an ocean or border will likely lack the due diligence of a professional background check. Most investigation companies offer a free investigation quote, outlining the service they can provide.

Be weary of websites that offer "background checks" for $39.99, etc. Expect to pay at least $300 USD for any professional background check, and more for international background checks or surveillance. Most clients get what they pay for.

All the Best,

S. Birch
© 2006-2009 S. Birch
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June 22, 2009
Ukraine Dating Scams

  • 6/22/2009
Don't Be a Victim of Ukraine Dating Scams









Online dating and romance scams from the Ukraine and Russia continue to increase. Each year, more and more victims file reports with their local law enforcement agencies in Europe, Canada, Australia and the United States. To their credit, Moscow and Kiev police have made some arrests, although the fraud is still growing. Controlling the crime relies more on educating consumers and access to europe background checks.

Most scammers and criminals of fraud seek out their victims on websites that cater to meeting Ukrainian or Russian women, but no website is safe. Many Ukraine and Russia scammers now use foreign match making websites in the U.K., Canada and Australia, such as Match.com. Many scams are actually operated by men using beautiful photographs of Russia and Ukraine women.

Obviously not all the women in Russia and the Ukraine are involved in scams. Many are indeed honest and beautiful women, who are seeking an honest relationship with a foreigner. However, distinguishing between the honest women and the scammers is increasingly difficult. Elements typically used to achieve the fraud or scam include assistance for education, help with travel costs, visas, or a medical emergency. The money is almost always requested via a wire transfer, such as Western Union.

For those pursuing a relationship with someone from the Ukraine or Russia, a professional background check is strongly advised. Private investigation companies are now present in Kiev, Moscow and St. Petersburg. Wymoo® now has field investigators in these cities and offers a free investigation quote via its website.

All the Best,

S. Birch
© 2006-2009 S. Birch
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February 3, 2009
Online Dating & Background Checks

  • 2/03/2009
Rising Demand and Options for Consumers











Online dating has increased significantly in recent years. More people are meeting via the internet than ever before. It's not uncommon for marriage to be found on the internet, and increasingly, this new form of match-making involves an international relationship. Scams are also on the rise around the world. Often times professional scammers and criminals will target or select their victims on internet dating sites.

The number of reported scam or fraud cases in 2008 nearly doubled the number from 2007. In other cases, the subject may simply misrepsent him or herself by using a false background and profile, including photographs. This surge in scams has fueled a rising demand for international background checks. Consumers are well advised to consider a confidential background check service on any potential relationship which is begun on the internet, especially if the romance involves someone overseas. Experts consider the service a wise insurance policy.

Among the many websites offering international background checks, few are legitimate. Sites that offer "background checks" to run automated searches of databases for $39.99 or $59.99, obviously don't qualify as a real investigation. Consumers should expect to pay between $350 and $600 for a professional investigator such as Wymoo® to verify a background.

While international private investigators aren't always cheap, consumers should consider the risks and potential costs of not getting a background check. Many romance victims in 2008 lost their entire savings, had their identity stolen, and had to live through the agonizing ordeal of falling in love with someone who simply did not exist. The risks are real and rising.


All the Best,

S. Birch
© 2006-2009 S. Birch
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May 6, 2008
no image

  • 5/06/2008
Background checks: The Supply and Demand

Rising Demand
More people around the global are accessing the Internet, and the global population itself exploding exponentially, the world is making a fast transition to online. Businesses around the world now make their hiring decisions based on candidates they find on the Internet. New websites for match making or online dating are popping up daily. These days, it's not uncommon to find a business partner or even find a spouse on the Internet. In this brave new world, come some sizeable risks.

Knowing the Truth
Exactly how does an individual in Paris verify a boyfriend's story who lives in Brazil? Or how does a small business in the United States verify a new supplier located in Singapore? And when looking for romance, just how do we know if he or she is really who he or she claims to be? These questions are becoming more common and so is the demand for background checks. The following section summarizes some of the options.

Options Available
Services offered for background checks vary greatly. Some websites offer simple searches for public records, while others combine public records searches with actual investigation. We prefer the latter, as real investigation has real results in most cases. Among the top 3 players in the United States are Kroll, Owens Online and Wymoo International. Wymoo has been expanding its market share by concentrating on customer service and custom investigations. All 3 companys have a strong global presence, while Wymoo offers personalized service, surveillance, local investigators and complete narrative reporting. For the Philippines, contact Wymoo's affiliate, Philippine PI.

Knowing the Prices
Average background checks can cost between $200 and $800, depending on the country of origin and the information needs of the customer. An average background investigation to verify a small business or foreign romance usually ranges between $400 and $600, again depending on the country and specific need for information. Always shop around for service quotes.

Is it really worth having your international romance, or foreign business partner verified? Absolutely. This is the age of identity theft, relationship scams, advance fee fraud, and these scams are on the rise. Think of a background check investigation as an insurance policy. One can cross his fingers and hope for the best. We recommend contracting a professional global background check service, and sleeping well at night knowing the truth.

All the Best,

Simon Birch
© 2006-2009 S. Birch
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February 18, 2008
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  • 2/18/2008
Overview of Philippine Investigation Services

For anyone with experience with Philippine relationships, the idea of relationship fraud, scams or cheating is probably nothing new. That's not to say that all Philippine relationships are doomed. Rather, with the number of relationships being initiated over the internet, coupled with the widely booming industry of dating scams in the Philippines, one cannot be too careful.

So who does one call if he or she needs competent surveillance in the Philippines? What services are available to confirm your suspicions regarding your distant wife, girlfriend, husband or lover? How can one obtain the evidence necessary to move forward, or move out of the relationship? There are several major competitors in the Philippines who offer confidential surveillance, but the quality of services offered varies significantly.

Of the investigative firms offering surveillance, we recommend going with a European or American owned company. The difference is in the quality of investigation, accountability, reporting and general customer service. The best of the foreign owned firms operating in the Philippines is probably Philippine PI, a subsidiary of Wymoo International. Philippine PI is U.S. owned and operated. The firm is known for its good coverage on the islands, discreet service and competitive pricing. Competition is fierce in the Philippines, but as of 2006 and 2007, the group led the Philippine private investigators in client satisfaction.

Surveillance services often include daily reports, photographic evidence and investigation notes. The service can be expensive, but the information uncovered is often the piece of mind to move forward or pull out of a relationship. A typical surveillance case may be between 3 and 5 days, although each case is unique and requires special attention by your investigator.

All the Best,

S. Birch
© 2006-2009 S. Birch
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