Wymoo® International is a full service investigation firm offering private investigation services in over 100 countries worldwide. As part of our global coverage, Wymoo specializes in regions with high fraud and scam risk. Below are nations with a moderate to high fraud risk. Individuals and organizations should exercise extra caution prior to engaging in business or personal relationships in these countries. Wymoo conducts background check investigations, surveillance, private investigations, asset searches, and international due diligence.
Nigeria – High Risk
Nigeria remains one of the highest fraud and scam risk nations in the world. New tactics by criminals in Nigeria are increasingly complex and sophisticated, and victims range from individuals, to investors, to multi-national corporations. New system technology allows Nigerian criminals to hide their true location, mask their IP address and use non-Nigeria phone numbers and addresses.
Common Fraud:
Advance fee fraud, dating scams, dating fraud, inheritance scams, online dating scams, business fraud, investment scams, charity and employment fraud
Areas of Concern:
Lagos, Abuja, Nationwide
Recommendation:
Discreet background check or investigation to avoid Nigeria scams and Africa fraud.
Wymoo Field Investigators:
Lagos, Nigeria
Ghana – High Risk
Ghana is rapidly becoming a world leader for fraud and online scams. The criminals here have quickly modeled their approach after scams in Nigeria. Many criminals operating in Ghana are from Nigeria, and most West Africa nations are high risk countries.
Common Fraud:
Advance fee fraud, dating scams, dating fraud, inheritance scams, online dating scams, business fraud, investment scams, charity and non-profit fraud
Areas of Concern:
Accra, Nationwide
Recommendation:
Discreet background check investigation to avoid Ghana scams and Internet fraud cases.
Wymoo Field Investigators:
Accra, Ghana
Benin – Moderate Risk
Benin is an emerging market for fraud, with most cases originating in Cotonou, Benin. Consumers and businesses should exercise utmost caution in any relationship with subjects from Benin, West Africa.
Common Fraud:
Advance fee fraud, dating scams, dating fraud, inheritance scams, online dating scams, investment and non-profit.
Areas of Concern:
Cotonou, Nationwide
Recommendation:
Benin background check by Benin investigator for unknown subjects.
Wymoo Field Investigators:
Cotonou, Benin
AFRICA
South Africa – Moderate Risk
South Africa is by most measures the most advanced and developed nation in the continent of Africa, and the nation continues to develop and modernize. As a result, cases involving fraud and scams have actually decreased in recent years, moving South Africa from a high risk nation to a moderate risk ranking. Caution is still advised.
Common Fraud:
Advance fee fraud, lottery, phishing fraud, inheritance scams, online dating scams and investment fraud.
Areas of Concern:
Johannesburg, Nationwide
Recommendation:
South Africa background check or due diligence investigation, by Wymoo local professional field investigators. Agents in Johannesburg and Cape Town
MIDDLE EAST
United Arab Emirates – Moderate Risk
The U.A.E. and Dubai in particular is where money and serious investment pour into and out of the Middle East. It is a country with immigrants working manual labor, expat businessmen, and major foreign investment. There are multi-million dollar deals made in Dubai on a daily basis, and many investors seek entry to Dubai and the opportunity in the United Arab Emirates. Criminals also operate here, and many investors have lost it all. Business persons, websites and unknown companies should be verified with a professional background check or due diligence to avoid investment scams, business fraud and financial loss. Fake companies are common.
Common Fraud:
Investment fraud, false websites, business scams, advance fee fraud, romance scams
Areas of Concern:
Dubai, Abu Dhabi
Recommendation:
Dubai private investigator, background check or due diligence to verify unknown individuals and companies is strongly advised to avoid fraud.
Russia – High Risk
Russia is a high risk nation for fraud and scams. Business fraud is a problem here, as well as the high risk for bride scams and online dating fraud. All relationships should be verified by an investigator.
Common Fraud:
Advance fee fraud, dating fraud, business fraud, online dating and bride scams
Areas of Concern:
Nationwide
Recommendation:
Russia scams should be avoided with a Russia background check or due diligence from Moscow.
Wymoo Field Investigators:
Moscow, St. Petersburg
Ukraine – High Risk
The Ukraine is a high risk nation for fraud and scams, many of which are modeled after romance fraud operations in Russia.
Common Fraud:
Advance fee fraud, dating fraud, business fraud, online dating and bride scams
Areas of Concern:
Kiev, Nationwide
Recommendation:
Minimize your risk for Ukraine scam and fraud with a professional background check.
Wymoo Field Investigators:
Kiev, Ukraine
Romania – Moderate Risk
Romania has seen a sharp increase in business fraud and romance scams in recent years. Online dating and business relationships initiated via the internet are susceptible to manipulation, and individuals and companies should be verified.
Common Fraud:
Online dating scams, marriage fraud, business and investment fraud
Areas of Concern:
Bucharest, Constanta and Brasov
Recommendation:
Contact a Wymoo investigator for a professional and discreet Romania background check service.
Wymoo Field Investigators:
Bucharest
EUROPE
United Kingdom – Moderate Risk
The U.K. has experienced a sharp rise in online dating scams and advance fee fraud cases in recent years, moving the nation from a low risk to moderate risk nation. Many criminal operations here have connections with Nigerian and other immigrants, as the U.K. struggles to control illegal immigration. Furthermore, many Africa based scam operations now involve the U.K. in order to gain trust with internet victims.
Common Fraud:
Advance fee fraud, dating scams and fraud, business fraud, identity theft, lottery and inheritance scams
Areas of Concern:
London
Recommendation:
UK background check or due diligence for cases involving internet relationships.
Wymoo Field Investigators:
London, Dublin and Edinburgh
Turkey – Moderate Risk
Turkey lies at the crossroads of Europe and the Middle East, and criminals have historically operated from this country for its close proximity to Europe, while at the same time being out of reach from Europe’s law enforcement and legal jurisdiction. Romance scams and internet crimes are up significantly in Turkey compared to 2011 levels, and caution is advised in the country.
Common Fraud:
Advance fee fraud, dating scams and fraud, business fraud, identity theft, lottery scams
Recommendation:
Turkey private investigators should conduct a complete background check on any person met via the Internet.
Wymoo Field Investigators:
Istanbul
LATIN AMERICA
Colombia – Moderate Risk
Colombia continues to develop and fraud levels are actually decreasing. Online dating scams, internet fraud, bride scams and infidelity are widespread, however.
Colombia scams can be avoided with discreet background checks by Colombia private investigators in Bogota.
Philippines – High Risk
The Philippines remains one of the highest risk countries in the world for relationship fraud and romance scams. Online dating scams, infidelity, and marriage fraud in this nation remain at very high levels.
Common Fraud:
Advance fee fraud, dating fraud, online dating, marriage fraud, and bride scams
Areas of Concern:
Nationwide
Recommendation:
There is a high risk for Philippines scams. Relationships should be verified with a reliable Philippines investigator.
Wymoo Field Investigators:
Manila, Quezon City, Cebu, Davao
Malaysia – High Risk
Malaysia is an emerging market for internet fraud. Most cases originate in Kuala Lumpur or surrounding area.
Common Fraud:
Advance fee fraud, business fraud
Areas of Concern:
Kuala Lumpur
Recommendation:
Malaysia scams and fraud should be avoided with due diligence or background check.
Wymoo Field Investigators:
Kuala Lumpur
China – Moderate Risk
China continues to struggle with its over-population, exploding economy and high levels of fraud and corruption. Fake companies and websites are common.
Common Fraud:
Business fraud, employment fraud
Areas of Concern:
Beijing, Shanghai
Recommendation:
China background check or due diligence by China investigator for uknown subjects due to high risk for business fraud and investment scams.
Wymoo Field Investigators:
Beijing, Shanghai
India – Moderate Risk
India is a booming third world economy with an exploding population. Outsourcing to India and investments in India are growing due to the low cost of labor, especially in areas of technology and customer service. India is also a country where developed countries recruit talent. India background checks and due diligence is essential.
Common Fraud:
Business fraud, investment scams, hacking
Areas of Concern:
Nationwide, New Delhi, Mumbai
Recommendation:
India background checks and due diligence is strongly advised to minimize your risk.
Wymoo Field Investigators:
New Delhi and Mumbai
Hong Kong– Moderate Risk
Hong Kong is a moderate risk region and is also directly related to immigrants. Business scams and investment fraud is common.
Elaborate investment scams, business fraud or romance scams are typically operated by immigrants from Russia, Malaysia or the Philippines, who target foreigners via the internet. All subjects should be verified.
Recommendation:
Private investigator, surveillance or due diligence to verify individuals and entities.
Wymoo Field Investigators:
Hong Kong
Information in this report is updated each January and reflects the current opinions of professional field investigators located in each country, as well as on historical case loads by Wymoo International, LLC.
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