How to not be a victim of Relationship Fraud

It’s no secret that the Philippines produces a good number of foreign brides each year to Western men. Many women seek a better life from the poverty and widespread problems there, others are looking for something different, the money.

There are many successful marriages and lasting relationships that come from the exportation of Philippine brides. There are an equal number of women (and men) scamming Westerners out of the hard earned cash. The Internet has made meeting these women easy, and with beautiful brides awaiting, how does one know the relationship is real? Is she who she says she is?

Most relationships today begin on the Internet, or for a few, with a business trip or vacation to the Philippines. Developing a relationship on the Internet raises the risk level considerably. The best way to avoid fraud and scams (mainly advance fee fraud) is to visit the person and see who exactly you’re dealing with. Spend some time in her country and get to know her on a real and personal level. With today’s professional fraud groups, it can be difficult to know the difference between love and scam.

Avoid sending money and be skeptical of “emergencies”. Get to know the person slowly via the Internet, and follow up with phone conversations if the relationship progresses. Be wary of requests for money. And don’t be crazy. If you’re thinking of marriage, invest in the effort to visit the Philippines before beginning any serious commitment. Lastly, if all looks good and you think you may have found the real thing, get the confidential background check by Wymoo International, and sleep well at night!

Be safe and happy hunting,

A. Hathaway

Copyright © 2005-2007 A. Hathaway

Investigations and Philippine Relationships

The Philippines is a beautiful country with no shortage of good, honest people. Beyond the beautiful beaches and resort hotels, however, there is widespread poverty and corruption. The Philippines is a place increasingly fraudulent when it comes to relationships, and relationship scammers have now created a million dollar industry, targeting Western victims.

Internet dating websites have brought together many Western men and Filipinas. Many Philippine relationships begun over the Internet have even blossomed into successful marriages. Due to the high occurance of relationship fraud and dating scams, verifying your potential spouse is more important than ever. In short, a background check is the only way to go.

Suveillance services and Philippines background checks available in the Philippines can be fraudulent themselves. When choosing a background check or investigative firm, we highly recommend choosing a foreign company with a Philippine presence, such as Wymoo International or Philippine PI. Foriegn firms such as these can provide you with American or European style management and customer service, quality that simply hasn’t arrived yet in the local Philippine market. The costs and turnaround times are often competitive or even better.

Getting a background check prior to engaging in a serious relationship in the Philippines is essential. Many Filipinas marry strictly for immigration purposes, while others have no intention to marry. They seek to slowly drain their mate financially. An average background check service in the Philippines can run between $400 and $600 USD. Simply hoping for the best can be far more costly, not to mention all the heartache…

All the Best,

S. Birch

© 2006-2009 S. Birch