Dating Scams and Background Checks

Internet Dating Investigations on the Rise












The rise in online dating worldwide has changed the way men and women meet around the globe. As more and more people become accustomed to doing business on the Internet, so too are more and more people finding romance over the Internet. New match making sites appear in the search results each week, and from the U.S. to China to Argentina, consumers are finding love online. With this new playing field, however, come sizeable risks.

Honest people seeking new relationships aren't the only ones taking advantage of the new services. Criminals are also finding their way onto the match making websites, including major sites such as Match.com and eHarmony. No matter what a site may claim, no dating website is immune from fraud and scams. In fact, international scam cases have risen along with the rise in dating websites. And with the rise in scams and fraud, the demand for professional background checks has never been greater.

Beware of any individual overseas proclaiming his or her love prematurely. Be skeptical of any sudden emergencies that require financial assistance. If there have been no requests for money, and everything seems to be legit, consider a background check as an insurance policy. Many victims end up losing money and learning the hard way. A background check early along in the relationship can save you time and money, and also prevent you from potential heartache and emotional distress.

Several services are now available that offer international background checks and surveillance. Probably the most respected in the business is Wymoo International, which also runs a separate division for investigations in the Philippines, known as Philippine PI. Whichever firm you decide to use, consider the service an insurance policy, and when it comes to fraud and scams, it's better to know sooner rather than later. These types of services are usually strictly confidential, so the subject will never know, and you can sleep easy!

Happy hunting,

A. Hathaway
© 2006-2008 A. Hathaway

Overview of Philippine Investigations

Searching for the best Investigator

Private investigation in the Philippines is in large demand. The developing status of the Philippines and its high level of corruption creates the need to have both individuals and businesses verified. In addition to the macro-economic factor of fraud in the Philippines, the country is also known for its sizeable exportation of brides and relationship scams. Hiring a competent investigator is often essential in the Philippines. Choosing one, is often difficult. This article provides an overview.

Business practices in the Philippines are far from the quality of service that is offered by most American and European firms. There are exceptions, but this is simply a reality of a developing, poor nation. When searching for a reputable private investigation company, we strongly recommend choosing one that is based and managed by U.S., Canadian or European ownership. The result is often more qualified investigators, better customer service, more reliable reporting, and superior communication.

Beware of any so-called investigator in the Philippines who does 1) not have a professional website, 2) requests payment via Western Union or similar cash transfer, 3) is unable to write professional emails, or 4) cannot speak fluent and clear English over the phone. Also, if there are no positive references available for the investigator, and no mention of the person or company can be found on the internet, keep looking!

What to look for? Look for a professional firm that 1) is Western owned, 2) responds promptly with professional, well written emails, 3) is available for a phone conversation, 4) charges reaonable rates and accepts credit cards via a secure internet connection, 5) can provide at least one positive reference in the form of a former client, 6) has a professional website, and 7) has positive references about the firm on the internet. Specifically, one of our favorites and the leader in the Philippines for professional investigation continues to be Philippine PI.

Lastly, when shopping for a PI in the Philippines, beware of very low prices. These bargain prices can be tempting, but more often than not, it is money lost to a local criminal or person portraying himself to be a professional. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. The focus should be finding the most qualified service at a fair price. It's worth it every time.

Best of luck,

A. Hathaway
© 2006-2008 A. Hathaway

Ghana Scams on the Rise

Fraud increases demand for background checks

Ghana appears to have adopted many of the fraud methods used in Nigeria. In fact, many professional scammers have relocated to Ghana in order to escape the "bad reputation" of Nigeria for its high level of fraud. Other fraud operations simply have affiliate, criminal networks in Ghana that they hope will diminish their Nigeria stigma. This transition of advance fee fraud and scams means Ghana is the emerging market for fraud.

Accra is capital of Ghana and the home of an estimated 6 million people, and the population is growing very rapidly. The city continues to attract foreign investment and is the center for Ghana's international commerce and foreign trade.

International business is becoming a way of life here. Doing business in Accra, Ghana can mean opportunity and profit. With this big potential reward, however, comes new substantial risks.

Foreign businesses aren't alone in this increasingly risky market. Similar to a small business in London or Singapore having to verify its business relationship in Accra, many individuals are finding personal relationships in Ghana. Whether its romance or a new business contact, we recommend a background check.

Most of us think the scams, such as advance fee fraud, simply aren't going to happen to us. Unfortunately, as the world has grown wise to Africa's scams, the fraudsters have grown quite 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 Accra 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. Ghana scammers are some of the best.

How can one entering into a business or personal relationship in Ghana learn the truth? We strongly recommend a professional background check, preferably a firm not based in Africa but with local investigators who understand the local customs, etc. Wymoo International is currently the industry leader for West Africa background checks. According to Vice President, David Wilkerson, businesses and individuals should always "enter into relationships with insurance given the amount of fraud here, and a professional background check is prudent policy."

Best of luck,

A. Hathaway
© 2006-2008 A. Hathaway

International Background Checks 101

Background checks and the services available.

A Rise in Demand
With more people around the global 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.

Verifying the Story
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 describes some of the services available to learn the truth.

Knowing your Options
The 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.

Pricing the Market
An average background check 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.

Filling the Need
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 background check service, and sleeping well at night knowing the truth.

Best of luck,

A. Hathaway
© 2006-2008 A. Hathaway

Philippine Investigation: The Premarital Check

Avoiding the scams and knowing who to call.

Whatever it is that draws Western men to the Filipina is up for debate. Most likely, it is the sheer vast number of Philippine women seeking something different, an increase in their standard of living and an escape from the widespread corruption and poverty of the Philippines. Finding the right Filipina is no easy task, however, as the number of scams is higher than ever.

Opportunity Knocks

Distinguishing between the wholesome girl next door, and the scammer is getting tougher all the time. Good Philippine women are definitely out there. The country has no shortage of beautiful women seeking an honest relationship. On the other hand, there is no shortage of gold diggers either, not professional scammers but interested in pure financial gain at any cost. Love and physical attraction simply doesn't matter for these girls. Many girls with their profiles on Internet match making sites are seeking immigration to the U.S., Europe or Canada, and as long as the man has money, the Filipina will likely put out the For Sale sign.

Avoiding the Pitfalls

Sudden or frequent Filipina emergencies, followed by financial requests should be verified. Early in the relationship, if your partner in the Philippines makes requests for financial support, it would be wise to move on to the next potential partner. Fraud and relationship scams run rampant here, and what may start out as help with the bills, may be followed by a long list of bills and emergencies. In short, a scammer or gold digger can slowly create a financial and emotional nightmare.

Verifying her Story

If you've found someone in the Philippines and all looks good, it pays to get a background check. Many men find beautiful and decent brides from the Philippines, but finding the perfect Filipina is never easy. Taking the relationship to the next level has the potential to be costly. It's a prudent decision to be skeptical in a Philippine relationship. We recommend getting a professional background check service which is confidential, and for specific situations that require knowing exactly what the Filipina is doing, and with whom, we recommend surveillance services.

The Investigators

Investigators in the Philippines, unfortunately, can be fraudulent themselves. We recommend choosing a U.S. owned and operated firm, such as Philippine PI or Wymoo International due to the difference in management styles, level of customer service, and reputable investigative techniques. Furthermore, if you have any problems in your investigation, you have the piece of mind that you're dealing with a U.S. firm rather than an individual.

Best of luck,

A. Hathaway

© 2006-2008 A. Hathaway

Online Dating, Avoiding the Scams

Internet dating fraud and how to stay safe

Global access to the Internet and the sharp rise in online dating sites have created new opportunites and new threats. Industry leaders such as Match.com, eHarmony, Yahoo Personals and Cherry Blossoms were among the first to establish the market for online dating. Since then, new websites are popping up on a weekly basis, and relationship scams are on the rise.

The Warning Signs

Contrary to popular belief, it doesn't take a dope to fall victim to online dating scams. Criminals searching the match-making sites are increasingly professional and sophisticated in their tactics. Scammers first contact their victims via email, then by telephone - they may even send flowers and carry on a relationship for months. Their pictures are beautiful, their personality so perfect. Then, the "emergency" happens. The young man or woman has been in a terrible accident, and yes, he or she needs money. More scammers are taking the time to build the trust level, once that trust is established, the victim is sold and the money lost.

Red Flags and Countries

The leading countries in the world for relationship fraud are those in West Africa, the former Soviet Union block nations, and the Philippines. However, due to increasing technology being used by the scammers, as well as globalization, criminals now work from just about every nation on the globe. Easy access to technology has made this possible. These days, a scam can originate from England or the U.S. just as easily as from Nigeria.

Playing it Safe Online

Remember that no site is immune. Match.com and the many others are all affected by persons seeking to commit relationship fraud. Know that scams and relationship fraud can come from any country in the world. Be wary of anyone who falls in love too fast or sudden emergencies and request for financial assistance. Be very careful about revealing personal information, and anyone (even Mr. or Ms. Perfect) who requests such information.

Getting the Verification

Due to the dangers (and potential) of meeting someone special via the Internet, we advise consumers to get a background check to confirm the person's identity. If the relationship is getting serious, we recommend verifying the person's story with a professional background check firm such as Wymoo or Philippine PI (for the Philippines). This kind of service is always confidential and can give you the piece of mind you're looking for. At the very least, the service can help you make an informed decision.

Best of luck,

A. Hathaway

© 2006-2008 A. Hathaway

Investment Scams On the Rise

What to know and how to recognize the threat

Investment scams have been on the rise around the globe, and unfortunately, have been rising in sophistication. Fraud was introduced to the Internet most notably by the Nigeria 411 scams, i.e. advance fee fraud. Times have changed.

Criminals are using today's worldwide access to the Internet to their advantage. Webhosting accounts for a new website, bank and credit accounts can now be easily opened via the Internet, from anywhere in the world. Having some false identification gives the scammer the upper hand here, as he has essentially created an alias with little, if any, traceable information.

Beware of the False Website

Many investment scams are taking the form of the classic advance fee fraud, but with a higher level of sophistication and (seemingly) credibility. Websites are often created with templates or a design is stolen from another reputable and legal investment company. Once the site is complete, the criminal has created what appears to be a legitimate website and company. The headquarters for these fictitious firms are often located in the United States, so the website claims. These sites are mearly a tool for fraud.

How to distinguish a real investment website from a fraudulent one? Search Google and Yahoo for the company to determine if there are other sites referencing the firm. Check the site itself to see if the firm has contact information. A website without an address or phone number is a red flag for potential fraud or scam. Search phone directories for the firm's telephone number. Lastly, check with the SEC's website for signs on how to recognize these investment scams, and to verify registration of the firm.

The Warning Signs

Although the level of sophistication in these scams continues to rise, an educated consumer can know the difference. Scammers today always contact their victims with an offer - the potential victim has been selected. The firm representative may speak perfect English, and even understand investments and asset management. He may even request you submit an IRS form and other documents. Bottom line, this person will request personal data and/or payment promptly and without ever meeting you. Be skeptical and ask for the firms' references and SEC filing.

How to Be Sure

If you've searched the Internet for references, checked local phone listings, maybe even contacted the SEC for verification, and spoke with company representatives and claimed references - and you're still not sure? Contact a professional investigation company, like Wymoo International or Philippine PI for help. Get the facts on who your dealing with - then decide.

Best of luck,

A. Hathaway

© 2006-2008 A. Hathaway