| Background Checks & Investigators in Demand | | | | the demand for international background checks. |
| | | | Clients want to be sure they're not going to be a |
| The global recession and economic turmoil | | | | victim, and in other cases when it is too late to |
| worldwide has fueled a rise in international scams | | | | screen for fraud, clients are seeking justice or a |
| and advance fee fraud cases. One nation that has | | | | recovery of financial losses. |
| seen a significant increase is the United Kingdom, | | | | Industry experts suggest the high level of criminal |
| where complaints and reports of scam and fraud | | | | activity via the internet in West Africa is partly to |
| cases have skyrocketed. According to one | | | | blame. Another factor in the scam cases involving |
| source, internet and dating scams reported to the | | | | online relationships is the simple fact that more |
| MET (Metropolitan Police Service) in London have | | | | people are dating, communicating and starting |
| nearly doubled since the recession officially began | | | | relationships (business and personal) via the |
| in 2008. Consumers have become more educated | | | | Internet. Dating background checks are strongly |
| in knowing the warning signs, but unfortunately | | | | advised. Online dating sites are rapidly attracting |
| the crimes keep evolving. | | | | new customers, and new sites are booming. |
| Although the online scams and fraud vary from | | | | Professional investigators advise consumers to |
| case to case, by far the most common form is | | | | get a U.K. background check early in the |
| the classic advance fee fraud. In this type of | | | | relationship, rather than wait until it is too late. Play |
| scam or fraud, which can take on the form of | | | | it safe, and consider a background check |
| endless combinations and scenarios, an advance | | | | investigation as a form of insurance. Lastly, be |
| fee is always required to recieve something in | | | | skeptical for financial requests and situations that |
| exchange, whether it be an insurance settlement, | | | | seem too good to be true. Don't reveal any |
| an inheritance, an arrival of a loved one (such as | | | | personal data that could be used against you |
| purchasing the plane ticket for an online dating | | | | without having the subject verified by a |
| partner) or the delivery of goods. Advance fee | | | | professional investigator or reputable background |
| fraud effects individuals and organizations alike, | | | | check firm. |
| and almost no one is immune. | | | | Best of luck, |
| Private investigators operating in the U.K. and | | | | A. Hathaway |
| elsewhere in Europe report sizeable increases in | | | | © 2010 A. |