Showing posts with label dating background check. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dating background check. Show all posts
March 20, 2013
Dubai Background Checks Help Avoid Dating Scams













Dubai is the synonymous with wealth and the contemporary Middle East, where Saudi millionaires and international investors are seen living the high life.  Fast cars and big money are common, and a low tax environment continues to attract the wealthy to this desert paradise.  Development and politicians and investors are all working together to make Dubai the biggest and the brightest.  But, there is a dark side to Dubai and the United Arab Emirates that many aren’t aware of.  Scams and fraud coming from this region are also growing, and targeting not only businessmen and investors interested to get a slice of this profitable pie, but also men and women looking for love.

Dubai private investigators warm internet dating site users to be aware of the rising threat in this region.  For women and men, it is an equal opportunity crime, and online dating and social network subscribers should be very skeptical of anyone claiming to be working or living in the UAE. Sure, there are many wealthy expats living in Dubai, but the growing risk for business fraud and romance scams means relationships and new contacts should be verified.  Ignoring the risk can be a costly learning mistake, so investigators urge caution and background checks.  Doing your due diligence in Dubai can save you thousands of dollars, and prevent some serious headaches.

Paraphrasing Tom Hanks’ unforgettable character Forest Gump’s historical phrase, scams “are like a box of chocolate, you never know what you’re gonna get”.  It is true, not all stories have a bitter and sad ending, and we all know many business people, individuals and companies have found success with new relationships in Dubai.  But, unfortunately it is less than the 5% of the cyberspace population’s fate. Each day, more and more people are under the radar of professional criminals that sooner or later will take their personal data or money, and the UAE is no exception.

Legal and illegal immigrants in the UAE are often apprehended by Dubai police in running scams and internet fraud.  Many of the criminals are not the wealthy Saudis, successful business people from the UK and US, but rather from developing countries like the Philippines, India and other poor countries in the Middle East.  They come to Dubai with hopes and dreams, and resort to internet crime and scams, trying to defraud the wealthy into giving to the poor any way they can.

To avoid this mess and lower your risk, investigators say that when in an online dating relationship the only way for certain too know you are safe is to contact a reputable private investigation firm for a confidential dating background check. For businesses, extra caution is also advised, and never send payment to any business person or company without doing your homework.  Also, never provide detailed information, such as bank accounts, without international due diligence. 
 
For those will to take on the risk, there are opportunities to be had in the United Arab Emirates. Just like jewelers look for the perfect diamond, hidden among the sand and dirt.

All the best,

S. Birch
© 2013 S. Birch
Read more
September 11, 2012
Dating Background Checks Take On Romance Scams

  • 9/11/2012
  • 1














The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has claimed in recent days that the economy in Europe is looking worse for 2013, with growth estimates lowered down 1.2%, because of companies letting go employees in an attempt to remain in business. Germany, the strongest economy in Europe will remain as it is now, stable but not growing in the coming year.  With unemployment and economies struggling to recover, many internet scammers are doing well, and targeting victims when they least expect it, and when they can least afford it.  More are seeking a way to avoid the risk.

Year after year the world of romance scams is getting stronger.  Internet criminals no longer only operate from developing nations like Russia, Ghana, Nigeria and the Philippines.  Today’s more sophisticated romance scammers may operate from right down the street, in the UK, Canada, Australia or the U.S.  No country is immune from the fraud, although the above countries tend to have the highest concentration of internet criminals conducting internet scams.

It is not only in dating sites that people can find friendship, love or deception.  Facebook in the past couple of years has become a leading source to connect people around the world.  In fact, there are some sites offering applications in the network to connect with possible sweethearts. Whether Match.com or Facebook, the risk of meeting a con artist is a real and present threat.

Experts recommend people looking for love online to stay skeptical and avoid revealing much personal data or private information to anyone they’ve never met in person.  Watch out for red flags and listen to your instinct.  Stay on the sites and communicate there, rather than via your personal email.  If you decide to meet in public, do so in a very public place.  Be skeptical of anyone working or traveling or living overseas, and remember it’s easy to fake a profile or identity online.

Romance scams can be devastating and leave victims in financial and emotional ruin.  For some, the nightmare extends to real life with financial loss, identity theft and more. International private investigators solving internet fraud cases claim that in the past few years, the risk of abducting victims has become part of the modus operandi in West Africa and the Baltic Region. Experts urge all online dating and social networking users to never travel abroad to meet your online partner without first having the subject verified via a professional dating background check.
 
Intuition plays an important part when relating over the internet. If you feel attracted to someone and feel you can meet, do not do so immediately. Give it some considerable time before the first encounter is scheduled. Use an alternative email, Facebook offers email accounts to their users, try it and avoid compromising your personal email. Do not provide strangers with your phone or mobile number. You can try setting up an anonymous Skype account to protect your privacy and make free internet calls to anyone you meet online.  When in doubt, consult a professional.

All the best,

S. Birch
© 2012 S. Birch




Read more
August 25, 2012
How Internet Scams Complicate Online Dating













It is well known by law enforcement and even many internet users that countries like Ghana, Nigeria, Russia, Ukraine and the Philippines are risky countries for online dating. Some people receive requests from dating prospects from these places and basically ignore them. Some others give them benefit of the doubt. Although the location is really a first red flag, though, scammers tend to target people from any countries these days.  With IP address hiding software and proxy servers, a criminal from West Africa or the Philippines may claim and appear to be from the U.S.

Online dating would be simpler if dating sites like Match.com, Cupid.com or e-Harmony, and Facebook would screen their users, but, that is not their business.  There is just no way such sites can properly vet all their users.  It isn’t their business and it is outside their area of expertise.  Besides, it would mean significant charges for subscribers who might not be willing to pay.

Not all people joining dating websites are criminals of course, but unfortunately, romance scammers are a growing threat and have infiltrate most dating and social networking sites.  They can have large numbers of fake accounts in these sites and they are targeting you.  They want your information to be used against you for identity theft, extortion or a romance scam.   Romance scammers are not always individuals.  In some cases, they are criminal groups.

Dating sites say it is virtually impossible to screen all their users, because of the amount of subscriptions they get. Skeptics argue they should find a way to protect their subscribers. Users on the other hand, should be more aware and less naïve. It seems that when the love bug bites, people ignore the risk and throw caution to the wind.  A happy ending is not always the outcome, as scam victims can face serious repercussions, such as financial loss and heartache.

Romance scammers approach their victims knowing they are vulnerable and open to meet anyone and take advantage of the anonymity that the internet provides.  Law enforcement and privacy experts say be careful what you share online, and consider a comprehensive dating background check by a reputable private investigation company to be safe and verify your partner.

Love does not fall from trees, much less over the internet. Users should be skeptical until proving that special someone is who they claim to be.  If you want to be safe, join online dating and social networking sites knowing the risk and protect your private data.  Know that sharing on the internet is now always the smart thing to do.  Be safe consult a professional for advice.

All the best,

S. Birch
© 2012 S. Birch



Read more
June 15, 2012
Dating Background Checks: A Priority for Online Dating














“Love hurts, love scars, love wounds and marks; any heart, not tough or strong enough.” Or so the Nazareth’s song goes. Truth is, in matters of true love, it shouldn’t hurt, abuse or make you feel down. It shouldn’t take advantage of you nor make you feel something is not right. Romance scammers are masters of persuasion, abuse and crime to steal your money and trust.

Romance scams come mostly from countries like Ghana, Nigeria, Russia, Malaysia and the Philippines and other developing countries.  Since the early days of the internet we have seen millions of victims falling for this type of scam, and even as people are becoming more and more aware, millions still fall victim. And some even for the second or third time!

Internet is the open door for globalization, and crime also has evolved with this new platform and online way of life.  Honest people aren’t the only ones searching the web.  Criminals now actively join social networking and online dating sites, setting up fake profiles and profiles, and may even use a real identity they borrow from the web, and even use Google Maps to get a picture of your house, and other public records websites to learn the names of your entire family.  Make no mistake, information about you on the internet is a direct threat to your privacy and safety.

Con artists have found over the internet a safer way to get away with crime, and sites like Match.com, eHarmony and Facebook now offer attractive hunting grounds to search for victims.  Criminals become your “friends” online, gain your trust, slowly gather your information, and then steal your money and/or identity.  The results can be devastating and costly.

Authorities around the world still try to deliberate an efficient way to go after these unscrupulous criminals. Private investigators stress the need of a professional dating background check or discreet international background check investigation whenever you are involved in a relationship with someone you met online, whether it was through online dating or social networking.

When talking about internet scams and romance scams in particular, there’s no gender, no status, no nationality, no race and no age group that is immune. Anyone can be and eventually will be a target. In many cases, the only way to know for sure and verify the identity behind the photo or email is to consult a professional international investigation firm for assistance.

Experts say be skeptical online and try to keep your internet footprint small.  Guard your private information.  Search Google for your name and actively go after any site that is publishing your private information without your authorization.  Many sites make a profit by collecting, selling and distributing your private information across the web.  This in turn puts you at direct risk and is used by criminals.  Be safe, never send money to anyone you’ve never met, and keep your private information private.  When in doubt, consider a professional background check.

All the best,

S. Birch
© 2012 S. Birch
Read more
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)