Showing posts with label global background checks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label global background checks. Show all posts
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 The company uses professional field investigators in over 100 countries, and relies less on automated (and often outdated and inaccurate) database search technologies.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 22, 2010
International Background Checks & Online Dating Scams Rise, Investigators Caution

  • 4/22/2010
Background Checks Follow Rise in Online Dating






Online dating websites and social networking sites are booming (Twitter, Match.com, Fackbook, eHarmony just to name a few) and this global trend has created an industry wide boom for international private investigators. With more people meeting on the Internet, the playing field has changed. The rules are different. It's easier than ever to find friends abroad, business contacts and even romance. With this new playing field comes new risks and consumers are now turning to international background check companies. Experts agree it's a good idea to verify online relationships. Not doing so can be a costly mistake.

Internet scammers and fraudsters are increasingly difficult to detect. Their methods are now more sophisticated, their new techniques more professional and complex. Unfortunately, as online scams and criminal fraud cases increase in complexity, it is becoming much more difficult to distinguish the good from the bad. International background checks are strongly advised for those who are considering a serious business or personal relationship with any person in another country or region, especially if the relationship was initiated via the Internet.

Investigators estimate that approximately 90% of the relationships begun online are open and honest relationships, with no sign of scam or fraud. Due to the millions of users connecting with others on the Internet, however, the remaining 10% is a significant number of consumers worldwide. Hence, it's wise to be cautious and get a dating background check prior to proceeding in any online romance. Private investigators too often see clients after the damage has been done, and victims have had their identity or hard earned money stolen. Play it safe and get the background check early to minimize the risks.

How can consumers stay safe? Investigators offer the following red flags and tips. Be skeptical of relationships that are too good to be true. Use extra caution if the subject is living or working abroad. Never send money to anyone overseas who is not known personally or been verified by a professional private investigator. Be skeptical of deals that require an advance payment. If the subject claims to have been an in accident or needs cash due to an emergency, don't panic and don't send money. Contact a professional investigation company for support.

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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October 19, 2009
Global Background Checks for Asia

  • 10/19/2009
Private Investigators Race to Asia as Economy Recovers














The economy appears to have hit a bottom and begun a long and slow recovery across Asia. A recent survey of business leaders throughout Asia confirmed this sentiment, with most CEO's and economists predicting modest but postive GDP for the 4th quarter, and for 2010. With the recovery in economic conditions, private investigators have forecasted a sharp rise in demand.

International background checks in global commerce regions such as Hong Kong, Shanghai, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore should rise in correlation with the economy. In fact, industry experts expect the demand for private investigation and Asia background checks services to double the rate of actual economic rebound. The reason? As firms start to hire again, they will be doing so at a fair clip, and the hiring should revive across most sectors. These new hires, whether from the U.S., Canada, U.K. or Australia, will need to be verified. In addition to international cases, international private investigators are now working more domestic cases across Asia, since more Asia firms now rely on background checks to minimize risk.

Southeast Asia has and will likely continue on a somewhat separate course. The Philippines demand for private investigations is likely to come back strong as well, but not necessarily due to a rise in hiring. Industry analysts suggest the demand for foreign brides dropped significantly during 2009, and with more people working again, online dating activity and foreign bride connections should also rise. This should increase pre-martial checks and surveillance cases. The same rise is likely to be seen in Thailand and Vietnam. Singapore, on the otherhand, is expected to increase hiring at the equivalent or higher rate as Hong Kong, with multi-national firms bumping up their orders for background checks and pre-employment screenings.

Private investigation firms will no doubt be struggling to position themselves for this recovery across Asia. Companies with headquarters or large operations in Europe or North America will have the advantage, since global coverage is essential for Asia based verifications. Perhaps the two best positioned firms to take advantage of the rising demand for global background checks in Asia will be Kroll and Wymoo® International. There are no shortage of other firms trying to enter the market, however, with the potential rewards here simply too big to overlook.

All the Best,

S. Birch
© 2006-2009 S. Birch
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