Showing posts with label philippines pi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label philippines pi. Show all posts
July 15, 2014
PhilippinePI.com Receives Excellence Award for Top Investigator



























Each year, we take a look at the top private investigation companies operating in different regions, and we take a close look at the regions and countries where demand for investigations services is high. In this review, our investigators and independent analysts reviewed the private investigation companies operating in the Philippines.  The Philippines remains a country where demand for private investigators is unusually high, thanks to high rates of infidelity, fraud and marriage scams.

Investigation companies considered

To be considered for our ranking, our team took a look at all licensed and registered business either based in the Philippines or operating in the Philippines, with the following criteria:

1) Primary service offered must be private investigation for individuals and/or corporate clients
2) Company must be registered and legal entity, and not just a sole proprietorship
3) Company must have a professional website verified by major trust marks, such as Verisign, Truste, McAfee or the Better Business Bureau, and offer SSL secure contact forms
4) Company must have been in business and constant operation for at least 5 years.
5) Company must have an established reputation with international presence, and a track record of providing quality service in the Philippines for foreign clients in the U.S., Australia, Canada and the U.K.
6) Company must provide and require ongoing training of investigation professionals, and hired investigators must have experience in law enforcement and/or military
7) Company must not have any complaints on file with the Better Business Bureau, U.S. Embassy, Philippines Securities Exchange Commission or other government agencies
8) Company must have a contact us page with real contact information
9) Company must offer secure online payment methods with credit card option

The final investigator selection process

Once the above criteria requirements were applied, the list of so-called investigators in the Philippines became very short!  Truth be told there are very few professional investigation companies, and most are locals with an old camera trying to make a living.  Others are scammers who set up websites and demand payments be sent via Western Union!  While some locals who operate as individuals do the work, they simply lack the professional training, resources and contacts in law enforcement and government to get the job done - not to mention the proper equipment which can be expensive.

Sure, untrained labor in the Philippines can be cheap, but just the same as when shopping for a doctor, attorney or engineer in Manila, for example, you'll need to spend more to get the job done right.  This is important in investigations given the confidential nature of the business.

PhilippinePI.com wins top spot for excellence

Besides having a stellar reputation and excellent feedback from clients in the United States, Australia, the U.K. and Canada, Philippine PI received high marks from our colleagues at the U.S. Embassy, Philippines National Bureau of Investigation, Philippines National Police and NSO (National Statistics Office).  To prove the point, we called the U.S. and Australian Embassy in Manila and asked who they recommended as a trustworthy investigation company for background checks and due diligence.  Both embassy representatives advised the same, Philippine PI.  Below are a few things that sets the company apart in a saturated market of private investigators and background check firms.

1) Verified by Truste, McAfee and the U.S. Better Business Bureau (on home page)
2) Company is a subsidiary of a major international investigation company, with excellent reputation
3) Secure payment options are offered using a credit card on a secure website
4) Significant amount of information online confirming company's reputation
5) Company offers due diligence, surveillance, background checks and surveillance
6) Emails and phone calls to the company were promptly and professionally responded to
7) Investigators were found to be highly trained and have law enforcement experience
 
Useful tips when choosing a professional

No matter who you choose, or what type of investigation you need in any country, always make sure you check for references, and don't be afraid to ask for some if you can't find any.  If the investigator won't have a 5 minute phone conversation to discuss your case, keep looking!

S. Birch
© 2014 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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April 15, 2011
Philippines Background Checks Advised When Dating Online

  • 4/15/2011

As international economy falls off a cliff, and the internet is the main source of contact and communication, romance scams from Southeast Asia are increasing. Many scams leave their victims in total moral and economic ruin. Philippines Private investigators advise consumers to proceed with caution when dating online as the risk for fraud and scams is greater than ever. A Philippines Background check is an effective way to lower the risk.

Philippines scammers usually target men from developed countries, mostly from Australia, Canada, the U.K. and the United States. Many of these scammers appeal to the victim’s desire to find love and live happily ever after, but that promise is rarely fulfilled. It does and can happen, but all to often there is deception involved in online dating and online Philippine match-making services. Many victims have lost their life savings, lost their family and marriage, and ended in total ruin. The risk is real indeed.

Experts suggest before proceeding in a relationship it is wise to conduct a background check on your sweetheart or partner or even friend. In the Philippines, it’s better to be safe than sorry. If you already have met the person, surveillance and local investigation is sometimes needed to gather additoinal evidence to be sure there is no element of fraud. Philippines background checks may consist of criminal, commercial, and financial records, assets, employment screening, education verification, address check, character references, marriage and birth records, voter’s registration, fraud screening, documentation verification, travel profile, passport and visa verification, and much more. A true background check should be carried out by a profesional investigator in the Philippines, not one of the many local Filipinos with no formal education or military or law enforcement training.

Surveillance can be used as a supplement to a background check, if the subject of investigation is first verified with a real identity and address. This involves the monitoring of activities and behavior to uncover the truth about a person, checking for local relationships and getting discreet testimony from local residents, etc. It is a high level investigation and usually entails a two man team on the ground. Services include detailed reports with hourly activity and time-date stamp photographs. Visiting different locations and conducting in depth investigation is often necessary to compile as much information as possible to determine the true carácter of the subject, and whether or not he or she is faithful, and who he or she claims to be. Surveillance can reveal a person’s living situation, habits, nightlife, relationships, etc.

Keep in mind that corruption and a weak economy have made the Philippines a high risk country where fraud, corruption and scams is part of daily life. Be skeptical of any financial request, sudden emergencies or illness, requests for help with visas and passports or even plane tickets, and also remember that meeting your online partner in person is no guarantee of a risk free situation. Contact a Philippines prívate detective for expert advice on your unique situation, and whether or not a background check or surveillance is right for you. A professional can advise you on what to expect.

All the best,

S. Birch.


© 2011 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 18, 2009
Philippines Private Investigators

  • 3/18/2009
Survey names Philippine PI as most reliable service









Philippine PI™, LLC is wholly owned by Wymoo® International and is based in Florida, United States. Philippine PI is currently one of the largest, if not the largest, private investigation firm operating in the Philippines. The firm began operations in 2006, and according to the recent release of February consumer polls, Philippine PI is ranked the most reliable private detective in the Philippines today. Over 100 businesses and individuals were polled as part of the industry survey, and the ranking comes at a time when investigator competition is at record levels.

Foriegn corporations, medium to large size businesses and individual consumers who had responded to have used a private investigator in the past two years participated anonymously in the February 2009 poll. The survey was conducted by an independent researcher via email and telephone. The results placed Philippine PI as #1 for "the most reliable" investigator and #2 "best known brand name". Since fraud is so common in the Philippines, and trust being a major issue when hiring a PI in the Philippines, the ranking is a major achievement.

Philippine PI™ has rapidly expanded its market share in Asia investigation services, with its primary focus in the Philippines. Local competitors have struggled to match Philippine PI's growth rate, since many foreign clients maintain a strong preference to contract a U.S. company over a Philippine based group.

Industry experts note that Philippine PI field investigators are often trained in the United States, or are hired from federal law enforcement agencies such as the NBI in Manila. Reporting is professional and timely, and the quality of field investigators may be hard for local firms to match. Many local investigators lack professional training, and this seems to be a market condition where Philippine PI™ holds strategic advantage.

About the Company:

Philippine PI is a subsidiary of Wymoo® International and is based in Florida, United States with operations throughout the Philippines. Philippines private investigators are in Manila, Cebu, Quezon City and Cagayan de Oro. The Company is privately held and is estimated to have 15 to 20 field investigators and support staff throughout the Philippines. Clients are mostly foriegn from the U.S., Europe, Australia and Canada, who find the Company website. Services include background checks, discreet surveillance, missing person searches, and due diligence. The average case turnaround is 7 days.

All the Best,

S. Birch
© 2006-2009 S. Birch

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