August 6, 2013
Malaysia Investigators See Rise in Fake Company Websites















Malaysia has become in the last few years a high fraud risk nation. Although not every business or personal relationship from Malaysia will be fraudulent, it is better to be skeptical when it comes to certain transactions.  A significant number of reported crime cases involving fake company websites in Malaysia has sent local law enforcement scrambling to try to prevent the problem.

According to the U.S. Embassy in this country, there is an increasing number of Americans that are victims of Malaysia scams. Most of these victims have been tricked into giving financial aid to people who claim to be American citizens in a medical, legal or financial emergency. Even people who have purchased their goods or services in this country carry a higher risk of fraud or financial crime.  With business and personal relationships in Malaysia, it's more important than ever to verify the person, the company and website are real and legitimate businesses.

Since 2012, the number of fraudulent websites and servers that have been used to install malware worldwide has tripled. This malware is intended to acquire your usernames, passwords and banking details in order to access your accounts. More than 50 per cent of the cases filed in 2013 were fake copies of the websites of banks and other credit and financial organizations.  But, in addition to those designed to steal your passwords, there are a growing number of sites that are part of online scam or fraud, posing as a reputable company to scam internet users.  Their goal is to gain your trust, and get you to do business with them.  Once they receive your payment or investment, these internet criminals move on to the next victim.  Prevention is key.
Malaysia private investigators agree that the challenge to identity all of these fake websites engaged in fraud is no easy task.  Expert investigators in Kuala Lumpur can help by conducting a background check or due diligence investigation on the company and website.  

One of the main challenges companies are facing today is the fact that many of their dealings have to do with an online transaction. This does not mean that you can´t do business online, it just means that you would have to be careful.  International investigators recommend for individuals and companies to always verify the legitimacy of the parties involved in order to make informed decisions. A company verification should be done whenever you are starting a new business or business relationship.  Ignoring the risk can be a costly mistake and learning lesson.

S. Birch
© 2013 S. Birch

Read more
Military Scams Targeting Dating Sites












Men and women of uniform, traditionally, have been those we can trust.  Those who put their lives on the line to protect our freedom.  There are many military men and women who use online dating sites and social networks such as Match.com, eCupid.com or Facebook to find love and new friends.  Many women subscribers are often approached by men claiming to be in the U.S. or U.K. military.  They often claimed to be stationed in countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, or even in Africa. Profiles show names, military ranks and photos stolen from real soldiers, some of them while still on duty, some of them who even died in service. Because internet criminals have had much success in the scam, the number of these cases are on the rise, and the risk is growing.

Dating background checks  have been a great solution for those who wish to verify their online contacts from online dating and social networking.  Scammers take advantage of the good will and naive nature of their victims. Many of these techniques would fail if internet users understood the risk and knew the warning signs.  Unfortunately, some scammers are so good that it can be nearly impossible to determine who is real and who is not.  In a growing number of cases, there is simply no way to know the truth without hiring a reputable private investigation company.

Military scams can be especially difficult for victims to detect and accept.  Many victims want to help the soldier and support their country, and in doing so end up losing thousands of dollars, or have their identity stolen.  Learning about military ranks and what different soldiers do can help educate those not from the military, and also is a great help in avoiding fake soldiers.

Hiring an international investigator can be a great option for those who have met someone they want to know better, or who think they may have met someone special, but that person happens to be a soldier who was met online.  Fraud experts and law enforcement agree that it's important to verify early in the relationship to avoid the dangers and damage from internet fraud.

There’s a special kind of magic to see those uniformed men, giving their lives to protect us.  Investigators say to remain skeptical online and remember any profile and photo can very easily be false, and in fact nearly half of all online profiles on the internet today are false!

Be safe online and watch out for the warning signs.  If you meet Mr. Perfect on the web, and you're thinking of starting a relationship with this person.  Be safe.  Get a background check.

S. Birch
© 2013 S. Birch
Read more
July 18, 2013
Investigators Offer 10 Tips to Stay Safe on Facebook












Facebook is the largest social network on the internet. It claims to have over 750 million users around the word and for the past six years has served as the platform to stay connected with friends and family, users say. But it is also a big showcase for romance scams and internet criminals who target victims on the social network.  Many internet criminals are finding that social networks like Facebook are more profitable than hunting for victims on online dating sites such as Match.com and eHarmony.  Their goal is to obtain as much information about you as possible, steal your identity and your money, and even use your photos and data for blackmail.

International investigators offer these tips to stay safe on Facebook and social media. 

1. Protect Your Privacy.
People do not need to know where you live, where you work or where you studied.  They definitely don't need to know your address or date of birth.  Criminals LOVE when you share a lot of information on the internet, because you become an easy target! 

2. Know the Risk.
Even the CIA and U.S. government has a hard time protecting their data. Think what you share on Facebook is private?  Maybe it is, maybe it isn't.  Don't take that chance.  Assume that what you share on Facebook is public information, and protect yourself.   

3. Use Photos Wisely.
Most internet criminals steal photos and profiles of real people, making their victims believe they are real.  If your name, photos and address or employer or school is published on the internet, scammers can easily use your profile on another website or through email on the internet.  That's right, your identity could be used to scam other victims.  Keeping your photos private is the most effective way at preventing a stolen profile. 

4. Keep it Private.
Check your account and private settings on Facebook and review them carefully.  Make sure your information is shared with those you trust and know.  Share less, and remove "friends" that you don't know well.  If you have 1,000 friends, chances are you have some crooks already on your friends list!  Limit your exposure and protect your privacy. 

5. Screen Friend Requests.
Be careful about accepting friend requests of people you don’t know. Know the risk, and take a closer look at why the person wants to be your friend, and how he or she found you. The best way to get new friends is through your existing friends and family. 

6. Keep it Clean. 
Keep your content clean, monitor your Facebook and all content related to you.  If there’s a photo or a tag you don’t want to be online, ask your friends and family to remove it. Once a photo or information is in the wrong hands, it is too late to remove. 

7. Get a Background Check.
If you've met someone new on Facebook or a social networking site and want to meet the individual in person, or are considering a relationship with your internet contact, be safe and don't be a victim.  Consider a background check by a reputable investigator. 

8. Close Your Session.
Close your session and log out when you're done checking your Facebook.   Facebook and other third parties love to track your internet activity and sell your information.  Fight back and protect your privacy.   Clear your cookies, check your browser settings, and consider add-ons such as Do Not Track Plus, to keep your internet browsing private. 

9. Watch for Spam.
Facebook is a popular place for spreading viruses by links sent from someone just added to your friends.  These links can hack your account, steal your data or even install a virus on your computer to steal your identity and all your banking passwords. 

10. Manage your Reputation.
What is shared online today, might not be something you want online tomorrow.  Selling and distributing your data is big business, and Facebook earns millions of dollars by collecting and selling information you share with them.  Manage your reputation, and make sure what goes online today, won't hurt your chances for a job or relationship tomorrow.

All the best,

S. Birch
© 2013 S. Birch

Read more
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)