Showing posts with label nigeria scams. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nigeria scams. Show all posts
October 28, 2009
Nigeria Scams & Background Checks

  • 10/28/2009
Nigeria Background Checks Preventing Fraud








Nigeria scams and fraud cases continue to impact individuals and businesses around the world. Scam techniques used are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and it no longer takes a fool to be a victim. Lagos is a bustling metropolis with a population estimated at 10 million. International business and foreign relationships are booming here, so the need for due diligence and discreet Nigeria background checks has never been greater.

U.S. based Wymoo International is one firm with operations and field investigators in the region. Wymoo® currently has professional investigators in West Africa, including Lagos, Nigeria and Accra, Ghana. In addition to screening businesses and employment candidates in Nigeria's oil and gas industry, the company also verifies personal and individual relationships.

The risk for fraud and scams in the region remains very high. However, as many industry observers point out, so does the opportunity. The oil and gas investment in this oil rich nation is major, and there is no shortage of foreign investment in Lagos, the nation's capital. Many firms are experiencing a high level of growth, and the global economic recovery should offer serious opportunity here for those who are able to screen the risks.

Whether you're in need of a due diligence investigation to verify a business or individual, or if you require a confidential background check or Nigeria private investigator to verify a relationship, finding a professional investigator is no easy task. Many local investigators in West Africa lack the experience necessary to conduct a real investigation. Consumers should go with a firm based in the U.S. or Europe with field investigators in Nigeria.

Are all people in Nigeria criminals? Of course not. Are all business opportunities here a scam? Not at all. Is the risk of scam and fraud truly that great here? Absolutely. Whether it's business or personal, consumers should get a background check to verify all West Africa relationships. It's the only way to go.

All the Best,

S. Birch
© 2006-2009 S. Birch
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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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July 8, 2009
Internet Dating Scams

  • 7/08/2009
Scams Drive Demand for Background Checks











So many websites now offer online dating or match-making services that it's hard to estimate the actual size of this new and global industry. Match.com still leads the industry, but new smaller sites now offer almost any niche imaginable, such as Jewish dating, senior dating, divorced dating, and many, many more. With this rise in online dating, there has been a equal rise in the demand in international background checks.

While there are some efforts to curb scammers and fraud operations, no website is immune from scammers. Match-making websites simply aren't equipped to properly screen all customers. Many sites now do offer scam prevention information on their websites, and also recommend background checks to their customers who are considering a more serious relationship.

The high risk areas for online scams and dating fraud remain Russia, the Ukraine, Ghana, Nigeria, Colombia and the Philippines. However, most professional investigators agree that no country is immune. There is simply no way to be 100% sure if Mr. or Ms. Perfect is truly who he or she claims to be without the verification process of a professional background check.

Internet dating scams are increasingly common in developed nations like the U.S. and the U.K. and while most people on the internet are honest people, the risk of fraud remains high. Be skeptical of any financial requests from a potential mate, no matter what the reason. If all seems good, and the relationship seems to have potential to move forward, a dating background check is highly recommended, and a wise insurance policy.

The potential reward of finding a meaningful relationship and potential partner still outweighs the risk of dating online. Knowing the risk and being informed only increases the odds!

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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