Showing posts with label nigeria dating scams. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nigeria dating scams. Show all posts
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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May 7, 2008
Nigeria Scams & Background Checks

  • 5/07/2008
Nigeria fraud increases demand for investigation

Since the emergence of the classic Nigeria 419 scam, the mother of many modern advance fee fraud methods, many people simply assume that anything pertaining to Nigeria is fraudulent. This might be the safest way of operating, but for some, it just isn't realistic. International relationships in Nigeria are rising.

Lagos is the former capital of Nigeria, and it is one of the fastest growing cities in the world with a current population of 8 million people.

International business is a way of life here. Business partners and associates exist in Europe, Middle East, Asia and North America. Doing business here often means opportunity and profits. With this potential reward, however, comes significant risk.

Businesses aren't alone in this increasingly risky playing field. Similar to a small business in New York or Paris having to verify it's business relationship in Lagos, many individuals are finding personal relationships in Nigeria. Whether its romance or a new supplier, a Nigeria background check is critical.

Many people think the scams, such as advance fee fraud, simply aren't going to happen to them. Unfortunately, as the world has grown wise to Nigeria's scams, the Nigeria fraudsters have grown surprisingly sophisticated. Business scammers now have the industry know how, and they use the lingo. They have resumes and references. Beautiful women (including white women) in Lagos definitely exist, but the number of men portraying to be these women is staggering. Here too, the players are professional. They carry on phone conversatons, send email, provide visa and passport copies, and more. This is the new Nigeria 419.

How does one entering into a business or personal relationship in Nigeria find out the truth? We strongly recommend a professional background check, preferably a firm based outside of Nigeria but with local investigators who understand the local customs, people and market. Wymoo is currently the industry leader for Nigeria scam checks. According to Vice President, David Wilkerson, businesses and individuals have to "enter into relationships with insurance given the amount of fraud here, and a professional background check is prudent policy."

All the Best,

Simon Birch
© 2006-2009 S. Birch
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