Showing posts with label international investigation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label international investigation. Show all posts
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
May 16, 2012
International Due Diligence Helps Connect Global Business

 

As America struggles to overcome the 2008 crisis, Europe seems to be getting hit by the end of it. Recently, the news media started to warn the markets about the possible bankruptcy of Greece. Berlusconi was being thrown out and pointed as one of the most corrupt governors in Europe’s recent history whose decisions have driven Italy to serious economic and labor complications, say critics. In the second quarter of 2012, Spain’s future is also uncertain, and both Italy and Spain have been downgraded by credit rating agencies.  Finding reliable business partners in this environment has not been easy, and due diligence has become more important than ever.

Since January, markets around the world have been on a financial roller coaster, oil prices have climbed and fell, and the Euro zone has gotten better and gotten worse.   The world is facing about 24 national elections this year.  Nothing is certain.  A socialist has just taken control of France, who publicly admitted his hatred for the financial markets and banks and the wealthy, although he himself is wealthy.  Is it the global turmoil the Mayans predicted long ago? Who knows, but certainly things do not seem to be getting better for a while, at least not in Europe.  Investors around the world are finding it more difficult than ever to screen potential investments, when so many geopolitical uncertainties are in the air.  More are relaying on professional private investigation firms and Europe due diligence services to screen foreign businesses and managers.

Many companies and investors in the developed world are seeking opportunity in India, China, Brazil and Russia, now known as the BRIC, who would have thought?  What do these BRIC nations have in common besides a political partnership?  They are all high risk for fraud.

The U.S. is recovering from the big crisis of 2008 is quite interested in the BRIC, but mostly in Brazil, India and China and top corporations in America have started to do their search to discover which companies in those countries are ready to jump on a business journey with them. I is the right time for economies to come together and be stronger, so says Dilma Rousseff, current President of Brazil, who knows it better than any other President in Latin America. How can you minimize the risk?  And outside the BRIC, in countries like India, how can you be sure an investment is what is appears to be?  How can you take advantage of the opportunities but avoid the fraud?

Private investigators around the world advise corporations to conduct international due diligence to verify known facts, verify financial status, reputation, offices and facilities, legal filings and more.  Simply put, most companies and individuals have no way of doing this, and only a trained investigator on the ground in the local market can get the evidence clients need.

In Brazil alone corruption is well established in government and private industry.  It is an obstacle for those who want to enter the Brazilian business markets. Due diligence can provide investors with valuable information and evidence to make an informed and investment.

All the best,

S. Birch
© 2012 S. Birch

 
 

Read more
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
Read more
March 14, 2009
Ukraine Background Checks

  • 3/14/2009
Avoiding Scams and Fraud in the Ukraine












The Ukraine is a developing nation in many ways struggling to establish its economic and social independence from Russia. Its economy and government are largely under reform, although it will be a long and difficult road to achieve Western transparency and efficiency. In this current environment, fraud and scams have run rampant, and therefore Ukraine background checks are essential for both individual and business relationships.

In Kiev, there are a growing number of private invetigators who aim to take on the challenge and rising demand in due diligence and background check cases. Unfortunately, not many investigators in this region are serious and established companies. This makes it hard for foreigners to verify their business partner or potential mate in the Ukraine.

Consumers should be aware of the potential pitfalls when shopping for a private investigation or background check company in the Ukraine. Consider an alternative if the investigator has no references on the internet or from former clients; has no professional website on the internet; only accepts Western Union or wire transfer payment; does not speak proper English; or is not available for a phone conversation.

When possible, consumers should consider using a firm that is based in the U.K. or the U.S., but which has operations in the Ukraine. This can increase the standard of service, since these firms operate according to Western practice. Wymoo is an example of one U.S. company with operations and field investigators in Kiev. As the level of fraud continues to rise, the number of investigators should also increase.

Despite the difficulty in selecting a private investigator in the Ukraine, consumers are well-advised to consider background check and/or due diligence service. Relationships can easily be subject to fraud, so be safe, and verify first.


All the Best,

S. Birch
© 2006-2009 S. Birch
Read more
February 21, 2009
Background Checks for Employment

  • 2/21/2009
International Business Services Revealed












These days, it's tough to tell who the best candidate is for the job, even when he or she is from the same local area. Complicating matters further is the fact that many businesses are hiring folks from abroad, where language, culture, and access to information is a foreign affair. Verifying a candidate's background from overseas is essential to make sure the right person is hired, and to prevent unforseen risks and costs from surfacing.

Many so-called background check companies simply search databases (which are often outdated or inaccurate) for a candidate's history of credit, criminal records and public information. This approach can be reckless in a domestic market. Following this approach with an international candidate can be down right negligent, since such databases often don't exist for many countries, especially in the developing world.

Where to turn when a foreign candidate is considered for a position? Employers should use a real investigation firm with field investigators in the region or country of concern. Professional investigators who have the ability to gather information in the local market, in the local language, and verify a candidate's background are essential to any international pre-employment screening. Wymoo International is one firm that is headquartered in the U.S., but uses field investigators around the globe.

Focusing simply on public records and databases is a great way for a background check company to save on expenses, but it may end up leaving the employer holding the bag.

All the Best,

S. Birch
© 2006-2009 S. Birch
Read more
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
Read more
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
Read more
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)