International Background Checks

Investigation Services Expand for Consumers









Businesses and individuals have had limited options available for international background checks until recent years. Wymoo International has led the competition in the move to provide more global private investigation services and confidential background checks. Kroll and Owens Online are two other companies that have made efforts to meet the demand for international services. Most experts agree, globalization will continue to fuel demand for international pre-employment screening, global due diligence and discreet investigation.

As more companies do business outside their home country, more relationships and businesses will need to be verified. With increased foreign hiring, companies will require a higher level of service for screening candidates from different countries, where privacy laws, languages and legal processes can be drastically different. Hiring an international private investigator which specializes in such foreign and global markets is essential for minimizing risk levels. Finally, there are some options.

Database technology, such as searching dated public records, can be beneficial to a background check in the U.S. or Canada. But, it is no substitute for a real investigation or professional due diligence. In a foreign country, relying on such database methodology is both reckless and unacceptable. Field investigators in the local region provide local expertise, and enable clients to minimize risk, and to sufficiently investigate and verify foreign relationships.

Wymoo® has led the move to employ international field investigators at the local level. The firm has openly stated that they do not believe in automated database technology, and management has made the decision to utilize professional field investigators wherever Wymoo conducts investigation operations, currently in over 100 countries worldwide.

When shopping for an international private investigator or a global background check service, consumers should ask whether or not the investigator or company has field investigators based in the country of the investigation. Many companies may claim to offer international background checks, but merely search databases from abroad, which is a risky business.

Best of luck,

A. Hathaway
© 2006-2009 A. Hathaway

Wymoo® International in Russia & Ukraine

Firm plans subsidiary for Russia and the Ukraine












As fraud cases and international commerce levels continue to rise in Russia and the Ukraine, private investigators struggle to obtain marketshare in a region where demand for professional private investigation, due dilence and background checks is high. Wymoo® International is the current leader in marketshare for private investigation in these countries, and with their recent announcement to open a subsidiary in Russia, it is clear the firm and its affiliates are betting the demand will continue.

Investigation industry analysts estimate the majority of investigation, pre-employment and Russia background checks in Russia is driven by Russia's emerging market economy, as well as the high occurance of bridal and internet scams, otherwise known as advance fee fraud. Internet scam operations continue to operate nearly unchecked in Russia and the Ukraine, with close ties to organized crime in major cities such as Moscow and Kiev. Wymoo is hedging its bet on the political environment in Russia remaining a high fraud, high-risk business zone.

Wymoo Vice President, Paul Fletcher, states that "the demand for due diligence and pre-employment screening in Russia has never been greater, and we expect that demand to increase as the global economy continues to recover through 2012." In addition to standard background checks, foreign male clients in Australia, Canada, the U.K. and U.S. continue to drive up demand for surveillance, infidelity investigations, and pre-marital checks. Russian women increasingly search for romance and marriage via the internet, and these relationships should be verified.

The name of the subsidiary has not been released, but insiders familiar with the deal expect the website for Russia to open in January, and the team of Russia and Ukraine private investigators is already in place. As with Wymoo's other markets, the Russia and Ukraine team is rumored to be a professional group of former federal agents and military operatives. Wymoo has established itself as one of the most reputable names in international private investigation, and the firm is placing large bets on Russia and the Ukraine. If they are right, fraud and scam levels in the region will remain high, and consumers should take note of the risk.

Best of luck,

A. Hathaway
© 2006-2009 A. Hathaway

Philippines Private Investigators Compared

Choosing a Philippines Private Detective







These days, there appears to be plenty of demand for prudent and experienced private investigators in the Philippines. However, the supply situation is quite different. On the surface, there seems to be a large selection of private detectives offering services. A closer examination reveals that only a few of the "investigators" have any professional experience, and the number of real investigation companies is actually very small.

Philippines-based private investigators are often local citizens trying to earn a living. In other cases, the investigator may not even work the case, and simply steal the client of his or her hard earned money. Consumers in need of a private investigator for a background check, discreet investigation or surveillance are advised to avoid investigators based in the Philippines, especially those requiring payment by PayPal or Western Union. This usually indicates an individual, not a company, and could be a scam or amateur at best. Local one man operations lack experience and resources critical to an investigation.

Real Philippines private detectives should offer multiple forms of payment, including secure payment with a credit card via the company's secure website. Choosing a firm based in the U.S. or Canada but with operations in the Philippines ensures a higher level of service, on average. Selecting a local "investigator" may be cheap in the short run, but it's likely cheap for a reason.

Professional private investigations and Philippines background checks require professional investigators, and such services can be expensive.The largest private investigation firm with operations in the Philippines is now Philippine PI™, based in the U.S. but with a full team of field investigators and agents in the Philippines. Philippine PI™ is verified by Truste, McAfee and the U.S. Better Business Bureau. There are other investigators in the U.K. and Canada that operate in the Philippines, and they are also recommended over the local Joe. Remember any reputable firm should have references online and from previous clients.

Because of the high risk of business fraud, infidelity, as well as dating and relationship scams in the Philippines, hiring a private investigator is a prudent decision. Choosing a private investigator based on price alone, however, could be a costly error. Be safe with a trusted and professional detective agency.

Best of luck,

A. Hathaway
© 2006-2009 A. Hathaway

Nigeria Private Investigators & Scams

Nigeria Private Investigators Busy in Lagos











Private investigators in Lagos, Nigeria are increasingly busy chasing scammers and investigating fraud. Some professional investigators are even investigating cases of locals who claim to be investigators, and later steal clients' money. The fraud and internet scam activity here is more out of control than ever.

Lagos is the home for most Nigeria private investigators and there are a few options available for those abroad who have private investigation needs in Nigeria. Lagos is a large and major African city with significant international business activity. In addition to the need for business background checks and due diligence, there is also the need to screen personal relationships.

Relationships, business or personal, initiated over the internet are very susceptible to manipulation and fraud. For those who think it can't happen to them should reconsider. Nigerian scammers have evolved, and techniques used can be quite sophisticated. Anyone can be a victim of scam or fraud.

Industry observers report that the Lagos, Nigeria background check business is booming, with increased demand from international clients from all over the world. When choosing a private detective or investigator in Nigeria, we recommend using the services of a firm based outside of Nigeria, but with field investigators and operations in Nigeria. One such firm, based in the U.S. but with investigators and agents in Lagos is Wymoo International. Choosing a Western company usually ensures a higher level of client service, trust and accountability.

The global recession has hit Nigeria even harder than developed nations. As a result, the scammers are working over-time, and as more people look for romance and business opportunity, the scam operations in Nigeria should continue to grow.

There are plenty of legitimate businesses and individuals in Nigeria initiating relationships via the internet. However, due to the high risk of fraud, it's important to be safe. Get a professional background check prior to engaging in any relationhips involving West Africa nations, especially Nigeria, or Ghana.

Best of luck,

A. Hathaway
© 2006-2009 A. Hathaway

International Heir Hunters & Estates

Investigators Focus on Finding Heirs Abroad






Each year, in the U.K. alone, the Treasury rakes in 10 BILLION pounds from unclaimed estates. In the U.S. an estimated 9 out of 10 people are owed money that sits unclaimed year after year. In the United States, the State governments currently hold over $40 BILLION in unclaimed money, and that is small change compared to what the federal government has been taking in.

In response to these unclaimed estates, many genealogical and private investigation companies are now stepping up their efforts in international investigations to find missing heirs and missing beneficiaries. With overpopulation and a global economy, missing heirs are often found overseas, and finding these beneficiares requires the skill of a competent international investigator. Internatonal probate research often requires the knowledge of a genealogical researcher and an international private investigator to work together in order to find the missing heir.

Companies who find the missing heirs often collect a nice reward or payment via a fixed percentage or commission in the contract the beneficiary signs to receive the inheritance. This commission is taken out of the inheritance sum, and accounts for costs involved finding the heir, attorney fees, and other administrative and investigative expenses. The industry is booming.

Inefficient and beaurocratic governments are increasingly receiving larger and larger amounts of money in unclaimed estates. With the increase in government size and waste (as in the Obama administration) it is estimated that the total unclaimed estates will continue to rise annually in the U.S.

Some international heir hunters and geneaological researchers are now employing their own private investigators to work international cases. Other firms are increasingly relying on the experience and knowledge of international private investigators who have a history of searching for missing persons. Wymoo International conducts private investigations in over 100 countries, and is just one such firm based in the U.S. that has recently seen an increase in its missing heir cases.

The race to find missing heirs is on.

Best of luck,

A. Hathaway
© 2006-2009 A. Hathaway

Europe Background Checks

International Private Investigators in Europe






Europe private investigators continue to expand as an industry, and with the consolidation of the Euro zone, more companies and individuals in Europe find themselves in need of an international background check or international private investigation. International relationships have sharply increased, whether its business or personal, and employers and individuals increasingly need to verify relationships involving someone from a foriegn country. Investigators are rushing to meet the demand.

Searching for a private investigation firm that conducts Europe background checks can be a difficult process. Many companies claim to offer international background checks, but only search aged databases for specfic criteria, and don't offer any real investigation. A prudent background check requires having a field investigator in the region or country. This ensures accurate results, since the field investigator speaks the local language, and has the necessary skills and contacts to uncover evidence in the given country. Technology can't replace the investigator.

Consumers are advised to go with a U.K. or U.S. based firm with operations and field investigators throughout Europe. One such firm with extensive European operations is Wymoo International, which currently has field investigators in over 100 countries. Choosing a firm in the U.S. or U.K. ensures that businesses operate with a standard level of accountability and legality.

Professional investigations can be expensive, and consumers often get what they pay for. Companies offering "background checks" for $99, for example, clearly aren't offering a real investigation. Real information and answers come at a price, and hiring a professional investigator is not the same as searching databases. Whether you need a Russia dating investigation, a U.K. pre-employment screening, or a comprehesive search of criminal and court records in Italy, hiring a professional investigation firm with skilled and local field investigators is a wise decision.

A. Hathaway
© 2006-2009 A. Hathaway

International Background Checks

Global Background Checks and Providers

International background checks are becoming more of a necessity in today's world of global business and international relationships. A private investigator survey in 2008, conducted in over 10 countries, showed that demand for international private investigations and international background checks has sharply increased, and the trend is expected to continue.

Globalization and overpopulation have drastically increased the rate of foreign hiring. It's quite common for employers to look abroad when searching for new employees. With this new trend in hiring comes new risks, since verifying job candidates overseas can be difficult. In addition to commerce, social media websites and match making websites are in the thousands, and people are connecting internationally like never before. International romances, business relationships and friendships are now commonplace, and quite often subject to manipulation.

Verifying job candidates and foreign relationships requires the skill of a professional investigation firm, with operations and field investigators in the country of origin. Wymoo International currently has field investigators in over 100 countries, and is widely known as a leader in the international background check industry. Consumers should be highly skeptical of any verification process that focuses on generic databases searches, since this technology is often inaccurate or dated in the United States, and results are even worse for other countries.

More professional investigation firms are expected to begin more international services, as companies race to catch up with the demand. When searching for an international background check provider, remember to ask the following questions: Does the investigator have field investigators in the country of concern? Does the investigator have a home office in a highly accountable country, such as the U.S., U.K., Canada or Australia? Next, focus on price, timely communication and quality of service.

Best of luck,

A. Hathaway
© 2006-2009 A. Hathaway