Valentine's: Christmas for Scammers

Along with the increased online dating ads, obligatory chocolates, & overpriced roses, February brings an increase in romance & internet dating scams. Romance scams are now Canada's # 1 and fastest-growing crime.
The internet is now the most prevalent way in which strangers meet. Online dating can be a completely legitimate way to find romance & there are probably lots of great people online, (although I've yet to meet one). Unfortunately, (male & female), scammers are also out there. I'm not referring to people who lie about their age, photo shopping, or income; (although, that is annoying), but to those who actually earn a very lucrative living by manipulating unsuspecting victims.

Background checks are quick & inexpensive & can help to prevent financial & emotional ruin. Googling someone is simply no longer enough. Even a minimally skilled fraudster can create a convincing, (yet fake), online presence in no time. We typically get contacted after the fact; in an attempt to mitigate or recover damages (good luck). All too often we hear, "I wish I knew about you sooner...".
Background checks can be an integral step in protecting one's self but they are only part of the equation. Being proactive and able to identify a possible scam are also vital. A quiz, signs, tips, & case studies are on our Romance Scam page at axiominvestigations.com

Just yesterday, someone tried to convince me that meeting people in person somehow provides inoculation from being scammed. Wrong. (see our case studies). When you first meet someone; regardless of how you meet, you are only going to know about that person what they want you to know.
The answer is not to sit home alone or background check everyone in your inbox. The best approach likely means striking a healthy balance between opening one's self up to new possibilities & due diligence. Arm yourself with knowledge and then, by all means, go try to find Mr. or Mrs. Right, (or just treat yourself to a new pair of shoes instead).
Happy Valentine's
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/english/index.html

How a P.I. Can Save Personal Injury Lawyers - and Their Clients - Time & Money

 

1. Re-interview & obtain statements from existing witnesses, (may provide new or different information) 
2. Identify, locate, & interview new witnesses that have not yet provided statements.
3. Accident scene investigation, (documentation, evidence collection and neighbourhood canvassing)
4. Counter-surveillance & surveillance.
5. Due diligence & investigations. Vetting (plaintiff) or records checks re: previous claims or fraud (defendant driver)
6. “Independent” Medical Examination accompaniment & transportation.
7. Our unique Plaintiff Services, (exclusive to Axiom Investigations; details upon request).
8. Process serving; including complex, evasive, or hostile service, (regular process servers are not licensed for interviewing & questioning

How my car crash got a convicted pedophile off the streets.
I am the female driver in this article.
Carhttp://www2.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=1dd76f04-7596-4ffe-9126-dd8ca74e897d

West Coast Women's Show October 24, 25, & 26th. Presenter. Main Stage

West Coast Women's show next weekend. "How Women Can Benefit From Hiring a P.I.". Saturday, @ 12:45 p.m. Main Stage.

Doing a presentation on the benefits for women of hiring a private investigator. Whether it's in regards to marriage, infidelity, divorce, custody, access, dating, or business, there are myriad ways by which the services of a good P.I. can help you protect yourself, your family, & your finances.

Look forward to seeing you there!
(bare with me; it's my first presentation of this type).

Suzanne Edmundson
President
Axiom Investigations Ltd.
604-217-1084

Tips on how to beat the polygraph test

These are some of the tips & tricks people try to use to beat the lie-detector, (but if they're lying, they usually still fail). Being a sociopath seems to work though. http://www.livescience.com/33512-pass-lie-detector-polygraph.html

 Some of our cases are so ridiculous, bizarre, or outrageous that they just have to be shared. This video is a great start:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdSUlpre2S4

CAN YOU IDENTIFY THE INTERNET-DATING-SCAM RED-FLAGS?

     ACTUAL ONLINE DATING PROFILE            

 

Admittedly, I was recently on one of the more popular dating sites. I saw a lot of profiles, (still a bit traumatized from the experience), but none screamed scam-alert to me as much as this one.

(Profile name): VERYSUCCESFUL (photo of a middle-aged, Caucasian, male); 5 photos but all of them were taken at one specific outing - at a distance. Self-described as being born & raised in  Vancouver; with an annual income in excess of $150,000

(Copied & pasted):
About me...

I am a "Single white working professional male,6ft,54 yrs,....i am very Succesful,healthy,has a great Athletic built,educated,mature,very fun loving happy personality,active good life style,lives alone,Financially secure,responsible,Drama free,no head games,and plus with a very cheerful positive attitude in my life ! And i am very easy to get along with and getting to know,and who do have a great sense of humor ! I am very well energetic,out going, romantic,affectionate,helpful,sincere,open,Nice,well manner,patience,good nature,respectful,very loving,kind,Fun,Intelligent,thoughtful,very giving,compassion,cheerful,dependable,and also is a very well reliable gentleman as well ! And live very well nice & stable successful life, & has a great successful professional job (Govt ) ! I truly do know how to treat a woman very well and be there for her and also to be very supported toward her ! I am also 100% real,fun,honesty,and in Heart !!! 

About the one I'm looking for...

I am seeking a very Special woman who would like to become my Soul mate and also to become the very "Best friend to one another in this life together ! And also to share a very happy meaningful LTR with one another as well ! And she also should be very nice,sociable, has a very fun loving happy personality ,Humor,Honest,open,mature, healthy, and also has a very cheerful positive attitude ! She also should be very romantic, affectionate, good nature,very loving,energetic,devoted,and loves to laugh and is ready for a true wonderful man to be there for her and in her life together as well to be very loving,reliable,supportive,caring,affectionate,fun and to bring out the best of one another !! 

I'd just like to add...

I do enjoy the outdoors,dancing,white water rafting,horseback riding,long walks,swimming,Dinning our,traveling,music,Cooking,movies,Candlelight Dinners,fun social events,sports events,hiking,wine tasting,boating,sailing,working out,the beaches,the mountains,the Ocean,sailing,etc..and plus i am also very well family oriented,and i really do know how to treat a woman & her lovely family very well and to be very supported ,loving, reliable,and very well respectful toward her !! I am also very reliable, outgoing,affectionate, down to earth and someone who is a true animal lover as well ! I been told i am a great Dancer and is a great cook,and i do love to cook ! And i also do enjoy a very Good glass of wine and so love long walks together ! I I also like to keep myself very fit and very healthy ! And I also do have a CHEERFUL HAPPY POSITIVE ATTITUDE as well !! I am not all into any head games or any drama's in my life at all ,i do have good morals , values,respect,trust ,and heart in my life to offer and much more ! To me,a woman happiness is very important to me in my life and also to be very loving & very supported toward her ,always! 

 

The first thing that struck me: there are a lot of arrogant folks out there but this is the first I've seen who calls himself VERYSUCCESFUL(sic); (& he spells successful incorrectly); he has 5 photos; however, it is obvious that they were all taken on the same afternoon with NO close ups. Who describes themselves as "white" in the body of a dating profile? He claims he is from Vancouver; however, English is most definitely not this guy's first, (or second) language, he refers to himself in the 3rd person, his grammar/ punctuation are not in keeping with an annual income of that level, (what government job pays over $150,000?) Ridiculously long list of interests. He over sells himself, repeatedly using key words he thinks women want to hear. He states that he likes all types of women & seems to be trying to cast as wide a net as possible; as long as she is kind, compassionate, trusting, & loyal. He says he knows how to be "supported", (Freudian slip perhaps?) & is loving, reliable, and very respectful. 

 

Unfortunately, they are not usually this easy to spot but it definitely highlights things to look out for. 

 

If I missed any, or if you have a comment, let me know!