Showing posts with label philippines background checks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label philippines background checks. Show all posts
October 20, 2012
Philippines Background Checks to Uncover Romance Scam













The world evolves so fast and so do online scams and romance scams. Criminals have developed more complex ways to trap victims through Facebook, Match.com, e-Harmony, Blossoms.com and others. Despite increased media coverage and government efforts, romance scams and internet fraud remains high, and the Philippines is a high risk country. 

A con artist spends time gaining their victims' trust. The goal of course is to steal your money or even your identity. Fakes profiles, false websites, pre- recorded videos and even stolen identities can be used to convince victims that the person is real. Skype numbers with area code numbers from the U.S. or U.K. are also often used to convince clients the scammer is honest. Scams have become so elaborate that even the most skeptical people can be fooled. Philippines PI and private detective services are increasingly in demand to mitigate risk for global clients.

These days when virtual life online can be a virtual lie, romance scammers in the Philippines are something more than just a poor girl trying to make a living. Experienced criminals are now running the scams as well, as there is big money to be made. Sad but true. The Philippines is a very poor country in which most people do not have access to full education and career development. Of course there are honest people online in the Philippines who are seeking real relationships and who don't care about money. Unfortunately, these are the minority of the cases.

Don't be a victim of romance scam. Verify the person of your interest first. Keeping your fingers crossed and hoping for the best can be a costly mistake. In countries like the Philippines, meeting someone in person is your safest bet, and even then there is a good amount of risk of scam and infidelity. Be skeptical and watch out for red flags such as money request, emergencies, situations that are too good to be true, and so on. Don't send money to someone you've never met, and contact a reliable private investigation firm to minimize your risk with new contacts.

Romance scams are a serious crime, and the number of victims worldwide is rising, not falling. Victims can be left in utter ruin, financially and emotionally. Some scammers may never even ask for money, but instead steal your identity, blackmail you, or install a virus on your computer to steal your passwords to access your accounts. Conduct a Philippines investigation and be safe.

All the best,

S. Birch 
© 2012 S. Birch

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June 15, 2012
Philippines Background Checks and Surveillance Options














As the use of internet increases and people are getting more involved in the virtual world, they find that what seems harmless and a wide open door to information, contacts, relationships and business.  In this new lawless world, caution is advised.  It can be hard to know which people and companies are real behind the website or email or dating site. There are over 7 billion people on this planet, and almost 2.5 billion people have internet access.  Asia holds 50% of that internet usage. And while developed countries use internet to research, learn and connect with others, in some developing countries the use is more for fraud and scams.

Philippines is considered one of the highest risk nations for fraud and internet scams, along with Nigeria, Ghana, Malaysia and Russia.  The Philippines and the Southeast Asia region have put the northern hemisphere in jaque mate, in any thinkable scenario, from online dating scams to telemarketing cheats and employment opportunities of internet companies that do not even exist. The beautiful island nation is a high risk nation for fraud.  Victims and skeptical people dealing with the Philippines often get the assistance of a private investigator. Be aware that a good private investigation firm in the region is not easy to find, and there are even private investigators and websites who are scams themselves, and offer no real service or trained investigators.  Doing your homework and choosing your investigator carefully, is of utmost importance.

Romance scams, business fraud and infidelity are serious problems in the Philippines.  Many turn to reputable private investigators to conduct Philippines background checks or even surveillance to lower their risk and verify their online partner or business in Asia.  Experts say NEVER SEND MONEY to anyone you have not met in person.  Reputable private investigators and law enforcement say skepticism is required for investigators as well.  Never send money to a so-called investigator in the Philippines via Western Union, and be aware that PayPal usually means you’re dealing with an individual, not a real company.  Check for privacy and trust seals like Better Business Bureau, Truste, McAfee and Verisign to verify it’s a real company.  Lastly, search Google for the company name to see what others are saying about the Philippine PI.

In cases when you already have met the person in question, but you have gut feelings that something is not going right, or the person may not be truthful, or the business may not be what it claims to be, it may be time to proceed with discreet Philippines surveillance.  Surveillance can be costly and should only be engaged by a team with former training in law enforcement or military, and using a team with proper training, resources and equipment.  If conducted or attempted by amateurs, the results can be devastating, and may not be discreet as needed.

There are some other areas in which private investigators can be of great help. When you’re missing a family member, or the police is reacting slowly to a crime, or you just need confirmation that a company or person in the Philippines is who they claim to be, or that your girlfriend or wife is being honest with you.  These are the times to consult with a professional.

All the best,

S. Birch
© 2012 S. Birch

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February 9, 2012
Philippines Private Detectives, How to Find a Reliable Service



With the arrival of the internet as a massive form of communication, criminals and fraudsters found a new way to defraud victims in the global market, and the Philippines has become one of the most popular countries to perform almost perfect crimes over the internet, and even the FBI, Interpol and the Metropolitan police have come together to educate internet users and possible victims in countries like the U.S., the U.K., Canada and Australia.  Victims from the Philippines scams are indeed worldwide, and the country has quickly made a bad name for itself as a result.  To lower your risk, many companies and individuals are now hiring a Philippines investigator.

There are a lot of individual private investigators in the island nation offering their services. Some of them are local individuals with zero experience, others are highly trained professionals, others are actually criminals eager to steal your money.  How to know the difference?  Good question.

Philippine PI™, widely recognized as an industry leader, offers the following tips when shopping for a private investigator.  The company is well aware of the need in hiring only qualified investigators with a proven track record in military or federal law enforcement, as locals without the proper traning and resources and management can spell disaster for clients.  Confidentiality and discreetness is essential in this business, so it’s key to have a trained professional who is ready to help.

Investigators need not only to have the proper training, but they must be backed by a firm with resources and technology to conduct the investigation, so investigators have the proper tools they need to get the job done.  Surveillance equipment, vehicles and skilled labor and investigations cost money, so expect to pay a fair price for a professional service in the Philippines.

1.     Look for websites that are verified by trust seals such as the BBB, Truste and McAfee.
2.     Be very skeptical of low budget websites that appear to be unprofessional.
3.     Ask investigators where they were trained, and what experience they have.
4.     Ask for references and search Google for information on the investigation company.
5.     Search Google for ‘Philippines Investigator’ to see who is ranking #1 and #2.
6.     Look for investigators who respond to emails and phone calls promptly.
7.     Be skeptical of local “companies” and look for an international PI firm.

Philippines private detectives can be a great way to minimize your risk and avoid scams and fraud in the Philippines and in Asia in general.  Shopping on price alone, however, can be a major mistake.  Unskilled labor in the Philippines is cheap, but hiring a professional costs money.  Many clients find that they get what they pay for, and it’s worth paying to have the job done right the first time.  Expect to a pay a realistic price for a professional service, and the results will show.

All the best,

S. Birch
© 2012 S. Birch
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February 10, 2011
Scammers Pose as Philippine Private Investigators - Steal Money from Clients

Embassies See Rise in Complaints on Investigators












Embassies in Manila have received an alarming number of reports from their citizens complaining of fraudsters posing as private investigators in the Philippines. Officials at the US, Canadian, British and Australian Embassies in Manila confirm a sharp rise in the number of complaints of scams involving private investigators or PI websites in the Philippines. Sources familiar with the reports say that Embassy complaints are up two fold compared to 2009 levels. Both individuals and companies routinly hire Philippines private detectives for assistance with avoiding fraud and scams. Now, say experts, clients are finding themselves at risk for a new scam. In some cases the investigators make an effort to do the work, but simply are not qualified or trained. As is usual in the Philippines, law enforcement has been slow to respond.

Investigators say the Philippines is overwhelmed with fraud, dating scams, romance scams, internet fraud and marriage scams. Many Western men seek brides here, and many corporations and small businesses invest in Manila to take part in the country's commerce. This is a developing country, full of opportunity and risk. Businesses, investors and individuals should consult the services of a professional Philippines private investigator to minimize the risk. In order to avoid the pitfalls, background checks, due diligence, private investigations and surveillance are often essential. The difficulty is finding a true professional.

Given the political and economic climate in the Philippines, and the high demand for investigators, many criminals and scammers are now posing as professional investigators. They put up a website and claim to offer a professional service, at a surprisingly low price. Whatever evidence or information you need, they can get it, they claim. They advertise on message boards, websites, and appear to be legit. The fact is, very few have professional training in law enforcement or military programs. Most are not college educated, and nearly all lack the equipment required to investigate properly. Lastly, scammers posing as investigators often ask for money via Western Union or bank transfer, since this payment option offers little protection for buyers.

Some general rules to follow:

Be very skeptical of an investigator who prefers bank transfers, Western Union or PayPal. These payment options offer the least protection for buyers. A real company accepts payments directly via its secure website using your credit or debit card. If something goes wrong, you can call your credit card company and report the fraud, and maybe get a refund.

Choose a firm that is based in the US, Canada, UK or Australia. The reason is simple. These highly developed countries have strict laws and accountability for business, and you can expect a higher standard and more professional results. Companies based in the Philippines are much more likely to deliver inadequate service and unprofessional work.

See if the investigation website is verified by McAfee, the Better Business Bureau, and Truste. A local Filipino won't pass the qualification standards set by these organizations. You can check the BBB to see if there is any history of complaints. (Click on the BBB logo on the Philippine PI™ website, for example, and you can see the firm has zero complaints in the past 4 years.)

Know that professional private investigation services for Philippines background checks, due diligence, surveillance and investigations can be costly. Expect to pay more for a quality service. Choosing by price alone is a bad idea, and can even result in being the victim of scam.

Ask the company where the investigators were trained. If the Philippines investigator has had no training in the Philippine Army, National Bureau of Investigation or Philippine National Police, the FBI, U.S. Military, or similar, keep shopping.

William Carter at Philippine PI™ agrees. "We see a lot of cases where a clients choose solely on price, and we later see the client come back explaining that he or she was scammed, had their money stolen, or the investigator didn't do a professional job. Professional services cost more." Some Embassy websites now even have warnings about such scams. Clients should be very selective when shopping for a private investigator.

Deciding on an unskilled private investigator can be a disaster. Many times, the work is not confidential or discreet, leading to serious repercussions for clients. Be sure to choose a professional firm, and get the job done right the first time around.

All the Best,

S. Birch
© 2011 S. Birch

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October 29, 2010
Philippines Romance Scams Lead Online Dating Scams for Highest Risk Country

  • 10/29/2010
Philippines Ranks #1 for Romance Scams and Fraud

Philippines private investigators report that Philippines based romance scams and online dating scams are more common than in any other country for 2010, although Russia is a close second for romance scams and fraud. Private investigators say the situation should only get worse until the Philippines economy improves, or the Philippines government decides to address the problem.










The Philippines is well known for its exportation of brides and romance scams. Internally, the Philippines suffers from serious widespread corruption and a faltering economy. Residents have to do what they can to earn a living, and unfortunatley, women often turn to the internet, where foreign romances and dollars or euros, or even a new and better life, are often the incentive.

U.S. based Philippine PI reports that requests for background checks involving online dating and possible romance scams are up over 30% this year, compared to 2009. Most investigators agree that the scam and fraud levels are at all-time high levels, and something should be done to improve the country's image. So far, there has been little action from Philippines law enforcement agencies, and politicians are reluctant to acknowledge the issue.

In the meantime, Philippines private investigators advise consumers to use extra caution when involved in online dating, and understand that the Philippines is a very high risk nation for fraud and scams. Investigators say consumers should be skeptical of all financial requests, situations that seem to good to be true, sudden emergencies or illness, and requests for help with visas and passports. Online dating scams are the highest risk, but investigators say that even when meeting a Filipina in person, there is still a high degree of risk for romance scams.

Detectives advise consumers and businesses to contact a competent Philippines private detective for help with background checks, private investigation, pre-employment and due diligence, online dating verification, and premarital checks, and to think of the service as a form of insurance to minimize the risk.

All the Best,

S. Birch
© 2010 S. Birch
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March 9, 2010
Best Philippines Private Investigator

  • 3/09/2010
Choosing a Philippines Private Investigator






The Philippines is a high risk nation for fraud and scams of all types, and as a result, Philippines private investigator and background checks companies are in high demand. The task of finding a professional and experienced private detective in the Philippines, unfortunately, is not easy. Most are local Filipinos who lack professional training, equipment and experience. Finding a professional investigator is truly essential.

According to industry observers, consumers are advised to go with a U.S. or Europe based investigation company, instead of a local Philippine investigation agency or investigator. On average, a U.S. or European company provides a higher level of client service, and the organizations are usually more accountable and transparent. Even though a Philippines based company or "investigator" can offer lower prices, it may mean money wasted. Obtaining evidence requires professional experience.

Currently the largest professional Philippines private detective, Philippine PI™ is based in the United States but maintains an equipped team of 10 to 15 full time field investigators in the Philippines. The company has relationships with embassies, the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation), the NSO (National Statistics Office), and Philippine police agences. The company maintains the highest client satisfaction rate in the industry, and offers full service and discreet private investigation and complete background check services. All investigators are professionally trained, natives of the Philippines, and have experience in federal law enforcement and/or military investigation positions.

Be sure to ask the following questions. Does the agency list its company address and phone number on its Contact Us page? If not, don't even consider it. Does the website display professional seals, such as McAfee, the Better Business Bureau or Truste? Does the website use secure connections so your information is secure? (Look for a lock on your browser). Does the agency offer a secure payment method on its own website? Does the site display a clear Privacy Policy? If the answer to any of these questions is no, be safe and smart, and keep shopping for a professional.

All the Best,

S. Birch
© 2010 S. Birch
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February 10, 2010
Detectives Battle Filipina Dating Scams

  • 2/10/2010
Philippines Private Investigators Fight Scams







Like never before, Manila private investigators are battling the surge in scams and fraud in the Philippines, and many of these scams and fraud cases are romance or Filipina related. Despite the fact that most Filipinas are honest and decent women, the online scammers seem to be gaining ground, keeping Manila private investigators busy, and giving the Philippines a bad name.

Private investigation companies in Manila and Cebu report they have seen a sharp rise in the number of background check, internet scam, and dating background check cases during the past year. Infidelity cases are actually down, according to one Philippines private investigator in Makati. Scams and advance fee fraud, including corporate fraud, are all up from last year.

Corporate clients are urged to contract the services of a professional investigation company to conduct the necessary due diligence or background check prior to engaging in a business relationship or deal in the Philippines. Without this form of insurance, the alternative can be costly. Consumers seeking relationships via the internet are advised never to send money to any individual in the Philippines, unless that person is known personally, or has been verified by a professional.

Philippine dating scams are primarily effecting individuals in Canada, United States, Australia and the United Kingdom. Private investigators offer the following advice. 1) If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. 2) Make it clear from the beginning that you won't be sending money. 3) Never send money unless the person is known well, or verified via a professional background check. 4) If the relationship is getting serious, contact a reputable private investigation company for advice and peace of mind.

Because the sophistication of scams and fraud continues to increase, knowing the truth is increasingly difficult. A professional and discreet investigation can help clients sleep easy.


All the Best,

S. Birch
© 2010 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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August 20, 2009
Philippines Detectives & Background Checks

  • 8/20/2009
Dating Scams and Infidelity Abound








Philippines dating scams and infidelity cases are at their highest levels in history. In a country world-renowned for its scams, infidelity and exportation of brides, it's hard to believe the situation could get any worse - but, it has. Philippines private detectives are busier than ever with clients from Canada, the U.S., U.K. and Australia all seeking investigation services.

According to the major Embassies in Manila, most foreign citizens file complaints on scams which originate via the internet. Foreign men seeking Philippine brides are facing difficult odds sorting through the scammers in hopes of finding an honest woman. Never before have Embassies and law enforcement received so many complaints regarding romance scams and fraud.

To avoid being a victim, many foriegners are hiring manila or cebu based private investigators. However, many of the local so-called investigators are even scams. Those who do work the case are often unqualified or unreliable. Because of the high rate of scams and fraud, from both relationships and investigators, consumers are advised to seek a professional investigation firm based outside of the Philippines, but one that has expert field investigators in the Philippines. Among the most reputable and experienced remains the U.S. based Philippine PI™, which has a large team of field investigators in the Philippines.

Business and personal relationships in the Philippines should be verified. The alternative can be a costly mistake. Industry experts say a Philippines background check is much like a prudent insurance policy. Philippine scammers remain some of the best and most convincing in the criminal business. Learning the truth early can save clients time, money and heartache.

All the Best,

S. Birch
© 2006-2009 S. Birch
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