While not striking some as a serious concern, the victims in this article are proof that romance fraud can be both financially and psychologically debilitating. Though this example is in the UK, it can, and does happen globally. Our client experience at Private Investigation Services Group in Bluffton, SC, suggests that early suspicions regarding a budding …
This recent posting from the FBI identifies a business related scam of substantially more complexity than your normal every day fraud. The international nature of the scam and extraordinary suspension of caution by otherwise smart and well intended people only reinforces the value conducting due diligence for any type of business venture. Reputable firms like …
Seeking Victims in Indonesia Showbiz Scam Investigation Read More »
APRIL 19, 2010 BY BRIAN WILLINGHAM. Although law school and career experience provide an attorney with a number of useful research techniques and litigation skill, they do have limits. Consulting with a professional private investigator can help attorney’s to leverage your position and find creative and efficient ways to come out ahead of your adversary. Here are 10 …
10 Ways an Attorney Can Effectively Use a Private Investigator Read More »
This article in the Wall Street Journal brings to a (judicial) conclusion the sad story of a fraudulent business purporting to be a self-improvement organization. Its underlying focus on financial, personal, and sexual manipulation of members is revealed rather quickly, though seemingly is unreported early on. Unfortunately, law enforcement would have likely declined any investigative …
Keith Raniere, Founder of Cultlike Group, Convicted of Racketeering, Sex Trafficking Read More »
Unfortunately, revelations of this kind of business and personal fraud are not rare. Even in the face of some common sense indicators, businesses, banks, and individuals were taken in by the fake heiress. Sadly, a business and personal due diligence investigation may well have identified her as a fraud before they were taken in. …
Fake German heiress convicted of bilking banks, businesses Read More »
This is another sad story regarding “Romance Fraud” that might have been prevented. Of course, law enforcement will respond once the fraud or loss is perpetuated, but a good Private Investigator would likely have identified common romance fraud patterns, and anomalies in the fraudsters history, helping the romance partner avoid becoming a victim. While …
Woman scammed out of $273K by fake internet boyfriend: ‘I fell in love with him quickly’ Read More »
In this story from the FBI, dishonest people took advantage of both unsuspecting consumers and business associates by defrauding them. One unfortunate aspect of this story is that their business partners appear to have been unaware of their previous criminal history. While background checks and due diligence analysis can’t always guarantee a deception-free transaction, …
Man Sentenced to Prison for Vending Machine Scam Read More »
This warning from the FBI regarding phony job opportunities identifies one of the many challenges a new college graduate faces. Never be taken in by persons or companies requesting “up front,” administrative, or other various fees prior to being selected for a job. In those instances where you may not find any suspicious activity that should be reported to the FBI, …
FBI warns college students to avoid employment scams Read More »
This timely warning from the FBI regarding Internet scams at Christmas highlights the dramatic increase in the use of the Internet to commit fraud on an unsuspecting public. Combined with the hustle and bustle of shopping at this special time of the year, rushed shoppers should be aware of how sophisticated these email and similar …