Showing posts with label philippines investigators. Show all posts
Showing posts with label philippines investigators. Show all posts
July 9, 2012
Philippines Romance Scam: Avoid the Risk














Year after year the number of men and women victimized with romance scams rises despite all the information in the media and on the internet regarding the risk. The U.S., Australia, the U.K. and Canada seem to be permanent targets of these scams, as Filipino crooks go after English speaking victims in the developed world, who have money and the possibility to be duped.

Reputable Philippines investigators continue to be overwhelmed with requests to verify and investigate Filipina chat mates, friends, potential business partners, and more. Now that people are aware of the risk, more are turning to professional private investigators to verify relationships, romantic relationships, and individuals and businesses found online. Background checks, local investigation and surveillance services allow clients to verify their new contact, screen the case for fraud, and then make an informed decision whether or not to proceed.

High levels of corruption and very ineffective law enforcement in the Philippines has allowed the crime to balloon out of control, and it is free for fall across most of the country. In most cyber cafes in any town or city, you can find scammers communicating with their victims. Often a scammer will have two or three victims sending money at the same time, and some even have multiple men visit and meet the family in any given year. Their target is your money.

It is true that some stories have a happy ending, and Western men can find true love in Southeast Asia, but sadly the percentage of men being conned is very high. The Philippines, like West Africa, is a poor region and scammers have found in fraud a way to make a living, and support their families. In some cases, they have no problem ruining the family or life of one person in a developed country, because they believe they have no other choice, or that the victim has enough money that it simply doesn’t matter. The fact is, romance scams are serious crime and can ruin a victim emotionally and financially, and scammers are among the worst of criminals. Poverty or no poverty, there is no excuse for their actions, and criminals should be prosecuted.

Philippines detectives warn internet users to be highly skeptical of any new contact in the Philippines. Never send money to anyone you have never met in person, period. Due to the high risk, law enforcement and investigators say a background check is strongly advised. If you are serious about a relationship and are considering marriage, don’t be a fool. Consider a more in depth investigation and even surveillance before marriage or sending money abroad.

In many cases, the hardest part of all this is that foreigner provides his so-called fiancés support and don’t learn the truth until it is too late and thousands of dollars have been lost.

All the best,

S. Birch
© 2012 S. Birch


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September 12, 2011
Philippines Detectives Urge Caution on Social Media



The internet has changed the lives of more than two billion people on Earth, for better or for worse. It is a very informative and educational tool, and can be used as a valuable way to connect to new people and businesses, when used properly. On the other hand, it has taken the personal and real out of relationships. Identities can now be electronic, or profiles, and profiles are often exaggerated or entirely fake. It’s by definition made the world a little less real. The days of meaningful postmarked letters and post cards from abroad, anticipated and read by the whole family are long gone, and so are some of the values that came with it. Writing is now done with instant messaging, email and Blackberry, with little thought or care for proper writing or style. It’s an internet world and increasingly people are spending more time with their computers than with real human beings. The long term effects are unclear, but the change is dramatic.

In the Philippines, Philippines investigators say there is real risk in social media outlets such as MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, Friendster, Linkedin and others, and caution is advised. More people are relying on social networks to make new friends, find love, seek employment opportunities, or just to avoid boredom and loneliness. Ironically, by spending time alone behind a computer and behind part of an electronic “community” many feel less isolated from the rest of the world, even if the rest of the world lie just outside, off-line and in real life with physical contact. And, social networks have risk that is contributing to the scam and fraud problem in the Philippines.

The Philippines is not alone. Recent news stories abound of congressmen twittering inappropriate photographs to mistresses, Fortune 500 companies losing millions of dollars through wired money scams, hackers releasing secrets online, and even terrorists and Mexican drug dealers now using social media as a tool to spread their message, which often can have a negative impact on the global society. The cyber world is not always a nice, friendly and safe place. In fact, it is getting more dangerous all the time. Unscrupulous competitors are posting false information about respectable companies online, individuals claim to be companies, and more. Sifting through all the false and misleading information can be a major challenge. But, what has law enforcement most concerned is the sharp increase in internet scams and fraud via social media.

Philippines detectives say the Philippines has become one of the epicenters for fraud activity and scams involving social media. Wymoo® International, a professional private investigation firm with investigators in over 100 countries, says the risk from the Philippines now ranks with renowned countries such as Russia, the Ukraine, Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa. The FBI and U.S. Embassy in Manila receive regular complaints from U.S. citizens who have been scammed online, and in many cases, the scams were initiated using social media websites. Criminals are now taking to the internet to do their dirty work. Romance scams, marriage scams identity theft and business fraud is now being run form the Philippines by criminals that use social media as their hunting ground. Experts say proceed with caution, never reveal your personal data online to someone who has not been verified, and never send money to anyone you have not met in person, and had verified by a professional private investigator with experience and training.

Social media has enabled scammers to hide behind their profiles, creating false identities and relationships, only to gain your trust, then steal your money or identity. Scams in the Philippines are often carried out by young men and women who have limited opportunity, and are seeking a better life anyway possible, even if it means lying and deceiving their online “friends”.

Be skeptical and cautious when using social media sites. Know the risk and be safe.

All the best,

S. Birch
© 2011 S. Birch
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September 30, 2009
Philippines Background Checks - The Basics

  • 9/30/2009
Choosing a Philippine Private Investigator







There is no shortage of demand for competent and experienced professional investigators in the Philippines. Unfortunately, the supply is very limited. At first glance, there appears to be a wide selection of private investigators to choose from. It doesn't take long to find out that few of the so-called investigators have any real experience, and the number of professional investigation firms operating in the Philippines is actually quite limited.

Philippines private detectives and private investigators are often locals trying to earn a living in a poor and developing country. In some cases, the investigator may not even attempt to do the work, and simply steal the client's money. Consumers in need of a background check, surveillance or investigation are advised to be aware of any investigator based in the Philippines, especially those that require payment by Western Union or PayPal.

A reputable Philippines private detective should offer multiple forms of payment, including secure payment with a credit card via the company's website. Choosing a firm based in the U.S., Canada or the U.K. ensures a higher level of client service and accountability. Choosing a local may be cheaper in the short run, but clients often get what they pay for. Professional investigations and real Philippines background checks require the labor of professional investigators, and services can be expensive.

The largest private investigation firm with operations in the Philippines is currently Philippine PI™, which is based in the U.S. but has a sizeable team of field investigators and agents in the Philippines. Philippine PI™ is verified by Truste, McAfee and the U.S. Better Business Bureau. There also investigators in the U.K. and Canada that operate in the Philippines, and they are preferred over any local. Consumers are advised to should shop around and remember that any reputable firm should have references.

Due to the high risk of fraud, infidelity and romance scams in the Philippines, private investigators are a wise insurance policy. But remember... choosing a private investigator based on price alone could be a costly mistake. Go with a reputable international firm, and be safe with a trusted professional investigator.

All the Best,

S. Birch
© 2006-2009 S. Birch
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