Background Screening Used to Prevent Online Dating Scams

They've been here for years, and don't seem to be going away.  Quite the contrary, fraudsters and romance scammers are here to stay, as the global economy staggers and criminals seek easy money.  Scams and fraud have been a part of society since Ancient Egypt 5,000 years ago.  The difference now is the internet and the computer, but the concept remains the same: steal money or valuables from the victim by means of deception and misrepresentation.  This evolving crime and internet fraud takes on both genders, and anyone can be a victims.  The criminals themselves can be male or female.  It's an equal opportunity crime industry. 

Increasingly, consumers around the world are relying on international background check services to screen for fraud, and verify their online romance, friend or partner.  It's a prudent way to lower the risk. Professional private investigators around the world advise men, women and even businesses on the risks and verification services available when looking for love, friendship or business opportunities via the internet.  Experts say it's wise to be skeptical, and be aware of the risk for fraud and scams when initiating relationships online.  Online dating has significant risks for fraud and romance scams, because criminals can so easily assume a false identity, or misrepresent the facts and their intentions.  They add fake photographs to their profiles, which are usually taken from one of the millions available on the internet, and come up with stories of success, have a great job, are attractive, and may even match public records when you search for the name and profile.  Investigators warn that even if the name and profile is real, that doesn't mean that the person behind the profile is real.  Identities are easily stolen, and criminals often take a real name from a phone or internet directory, so they start out by using a real name and address. 

In short, it can be hard to verify a person is who he or she claims to be.  International private investigators are especially important in cases which involve a person living or working in another country.  Scammers are professional liars who go after your money. They claim to be successful business men or women living in the U.K. or New York or Australia, but suddenly have to travel to Africa or Eastern Europe or Latin America to finish a project or business deal.  Internet criminals are creative and create complex stories so that their victims are lost in the drama and details.  They may ask for money or a loan while traveling or for other complications abroad.  You've been talking to this person for months and he's never asked for money.  You checked his name and address on the internet, and the person does exist, you say. 

The FBI and reputable investigation firms like Wymoo® International warn that this is the red flag people need to watch out for.  To be safe, investigators advise never to send any money to anyone who hasn't been verified.  For online dating, if the relationship shows signs of potential, consider a dating background check. Fraudsters may hired by an organized crime cells anywhere in the world.  Although countries like the U.K., Spain, Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, Russia, the Ukraine, Colombia, the Philippines, Malaysia and South Africa have reported the largest incident of internet fraud and scams, consumers are advised that no site, and no country is immune.  A background screening or verification service conducted by a professional investigator is a vital tool that will bring you peace of mind.  Know who you're dealing with, and lower the risk.

All the best,

S. Birch

© 2011 S. Birch

About the Author

Mr. Birch is a graduate from the University of Pennsylvania and has over 20 years of experience in private investigation services and surveillance. Mr. Birch has served as an advisor for international private investigators including Wymoo International and maintains his own private investigation blog.  He has directed investigations in over 25 countries and is widely considered an expert.

South Africa Scams Have Investigators Working Overtime

South Africa based private investigators and law enforcement agencies in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria recently announced a disturbing trend in Africa's most advanced and developed nation. The great country of South Africa is suffering from a re-emergence of scam and fraud activity via the internet, and government officials and South Africa based businesses are concerned this could be a sign of worse times ahead. The developing and seemingly modern economy of South Africa had a serious problem with criminal operations conducting internet fraud in the past, but law enforcement and government agencies were aware of the damage being done to the country's image, and criminal activity conducting internet fraud and scams were essentially shut down. South Africa private investigators say many of the new case of internet crime are actually being conducted by immigrants, which are often undocumented aliens from Nigeria or refugees from other crime ridden nations of Africa. The county hopes to stop the trend before it's too late.

When a country gains international attention for its crime and scams via the internet, such as Nigeria of the Philippines, for example, there are serious economic repercussions. The damage done to a country's image from internet fraud activity can be costly to both businesses and residents. If people associate a country with internet scams and fraud, tourism decreases. Foreign investment drops. People around the world begin to think poorly of the nation's citizens, which is truly unfair. Such criminal operations are often worked as small gangs using internet cafes or proxy servers from a fixed location, and they typically represent a very small part of the national population. Government agencies, being directed from the offices of President Jacob Zuma himself, have been instructed to tackle this growing problem before it's too late. Time will tell if law enforcement and private investigators are able to deal with the problem effectively.

The high risk levels for internet scams and fraud in South Africa have a surprising and global ripple effect. How could this affect you? After all, you might reside in the United States, the U.K., Canada or Australia, and you've never even been to South Africa. The truth is, if you're an internet user, South Africa scams can impact you. The more criminal operations conducting romance scams, advance fee fraud, investment scams, gold scams, and identity theft on the internet means the internet itself becomes more risky. South Africa criminals can target online dating and social networking sites, and assume identities from someone in the U.S. or U.K. or Canada. Their goal is to gain your trust, win your heart or friendship, and then steal your money and/or identity. Professional criminals care little about the damage they do.

The objective of scammers is your money. Experts recommend a South Africa background check to verify new relationships pertaining to South Africa, especially those relationships begun via the internet. Online relations are especially susceptible to fraud and scam, so investigators advise to remain skeptical, be cautious about revealing personal data, and when in doubt, consider a background check or due diligence investigation to verify your contact's identity and background in South Africa.

All the best,

S. Birch

© 2011 S. Birch

About the Author

Mr. Birch is a graduate from the University of Pennsylvania and has over 20 years of experience in private investigation services and surveillance. Mr. Birch has served as an advisor for international private investigators including Wymoo International and maintains his own private investigation blog.  He has directed investigations in over 25 countries and is widely considered an expert.