| Romance Scams Drive Demand for Philippine | | | | they are married in the Philippines, to increase |
| Background Checks | | | | their family's income. |
| | | | Investigators stress that fraud and scams reach |
| Philippine romance scams and relationship fraud is | | | | all levels of Philippine society, including business |
| big business, and the recession hasn't had any | | | | scams and corporate fraud, and all kinds of |
| impact on this industry. Private detectives and | | | | advance fee fraud. But, internet dating scams |
| individual consumers report a sharp rise in scam | | | | appears to be the highest risk this year, with the |
| and fraud in the Philippines compared to 2009, and | | | | majority of case loads by private investigators in |
| this increase doesn't include the demand for other | | | | Manila reporting infidelity or dating scams. Philippine |
| types of cases, including infidelity and pre-marital | | | | PI™ maintains the largest team of professional |
| cases. Private investigators in the Philippines are in | | | | investigators in the Philippines and is known for its |
| demand, because the risk for relationship fraud | | | | quality service and reporting. The firm reported a |
| and infidelity is at high levels. The Philippines, | | | | "significant increase" in romance scams from |
| apparently, has a long way to go in addressing the | | | | 2009, and offers good advice on its website for |
| problem of internet related crime and scams, of | | | | selecting a Philippines private detective. |
| which most are initiated via the Internet. Philippines | | | | When involved in a relationship with a Filipina, |
| private investigators are working overtime. | | | | investigators offer the following warning signs |
| Most people in the Philippines are honest and | | | | which normally indicate additional caution is |
| decent people, but few argue the nation has its | | | | advised, and a Philippines private investigator may |
| problems with exportation of women, internet | | | | be required. Be skeptical of overnight claims of |
| scams and fraud, infidelity, and online dating | | | | love, emergencies or sudden illness, requests for |
| scams. Many women search for a foreigner, or | | | | financial assistance, model type photographs, |
| anyone who can send them money or take them | | | | problems with visa or passport, times or days |
| out of the Philippines. In many cases, the husband | | | | when the subject is out of contact, etc. Be |
| or boyfriend of the Filipina is aware of the scam, | | | | skeptical and realistic. |
| and may even control the criminal operation. The | | | | The Philippines is a great country with many |
| scammer uses the emotions of the victim to | | | | potential rewards, great beaches and beautiful |
| accomplish the goal, which usually comes in the | | | | women. The risk here for fraud and scams is real, |
| form of dollars or euros. Investigators and | | | | so be informed and proceed with caution. |
| match-making websites agree, a Philippine | | | | Best of luck, |
| background check is a wise choice and smart | | | | A. Hathaway |
| insurance policy. Many women may even marry | | | | © 2010 A. |
| or have serious relationships with a foreigner while | | | | |