of your own investigating to find those perfect holiday gifts.

Image source: Facebook.com/NORAD

Private investigation is one of those jobs that is more than a job. It becomes your identity in a way, which is ironic considering that many people never find out who we are.

Image source: Zazzle.com

The T-shirt and gift companies Café Press and Zazzle have a number of items such as mugs and shirts, for private investigators. They will still ship in time for Christmas. Although, let’s be honest, if you are wearing this shirt, you really aren’t so private. Don’t wear this on surveillance, that’s all we’re saying. Even a private investigator’s dog can advertise how great its owner is, but he really shouldn’t.

Image source: Cafepress.com

Maybe you are better off getting something more discreet. Give him or her a gift certificate to PI Gear or some other spy shop. Everyone loves gadgets, and we make good use of them. Your P.I. can use a new pinhole camera, like this one. You can never have too many cameras.  I like how they mention that the beige jacket is optional:

Image source: Zetronix.com

Surveillance is very hard on the body. A gift certificate for a massage is a much appreciated gift for someone who spends hours sitting in a vehicle on surveillance. Sitting all day is damaging to your spine. A good backrest with lumbar support, such as an ObusForme, with heat and vibration controls also makes a great gift.

Image source: Amazon.com

A subscription to PI Magazine provides hours of reading, the old fashioned way, on paper. A one year subscription is $39.

I mentioned earlier that NORAD tracks Santa.

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is a combined effort between the United States and Canada  which monitors the airspace over North America to detect and warn of attacks against our two countries by aircraft, missiles or space vehicles.

Since 1955, NORAD has been giving us the gift of tracking Santa on his journey around the world. The men and women of NORAD volunteer their time to respond to emails and phone calls from children around the world. NORAD now tracks Santa using the Internet.

According to their website, they use four high-tech systems to track Santa – the North American Warning System radar system, satellites, Santa Cams and Canadian and American fighter jets. It’s all a good bit of fun for children around the world. Have a wonderful holiday season!

The post Fabulous Holiday Gifts for the Private Investigator in Your Life appeared first on Sheer Investigations.

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Rendezvous.blogs.nytimes.com[/caption]

How do we protect our people from the actions of a sick and damaged mind? These senseless events are happening all over our country. Many people move to the suburbs or small towns to raise their families, because they believe that it will be a safer life. There is no safe place. An event like this can happen in an inner city, a town, a mall, a movie theater, or a school.

If you have ever lived in a town like Newtown, you know what that small town feeling is like. People are friendly and open, they don’t always have the same fears as those of us who live in a big city. You aren’t prepared for this kind of rage induced tragedy.

Image source: Washingtonpost.com

We aren’t going to get into politics, or gun control, or any discussion of that sort, although our nation really has to look at the reasons that mostly young men are committing the kind of horrors that have happened in Connecticut, Colorado, Oregon, and the list goes on.

Another mass school killing was avoided on Friday, when police arrested an 18-year-old teenager in Oklahoma, who allegedly plotted an attack on his high school. Sammie Eaglebear Chavez tried to recruit fellow students to help him lure students into the auditorium where he was planning to shoot them, after chaining the doors shut. He also planned to place bombs at the doors.

Those of us who work in investigations and security are often called upon to provide advice and assistance on securing public and private buildings, providing safety to the people who live or work in those buildings. Is that the answer? Do we all have to live, go to school and work in armed fortresses?

Image source: Thejournal.ie

Someone with a deranged mind will find a way to carry out his plot. If he can’t obtain firearms, he’ll find a way to make bombs. I say he, because most, if not all of these killers are young men. If you believe in the Bible, then you know that young men have been killing each other since Cain killed his brother Abel.

Law enforcement and security is important, but even though the first responders prevent further deaths, no one can react in a moment’s time, which is all it takes to kill a number of people. We need to figure out how to prevent this.

If these young men are mentally ill, we need to learn to be more open about mental illness, look for the warning signs and help those individuals get psychiatric treatment. The young men who commit these horrendous acts usually end up comiting suicide, or they are waiting for suicide by cop; an act that also turns law enforcement into victims of the violence.

Image source: Communities.washingtontimes.com sign

There is a great debate right now, as there is after any of these events, regarding the effect of video game, movie and television violence on young men.

Many of us have watched violent movies or TV shows, we have played these video games. Has it desensitized us to violence? Probably, at least in some way. Does watching Dexter turn people into serial killers? No. But someone who is mentally unstable, or depressed to the point that they want to die and take strangers out with them, may be influenced by these forms of media. A number of studies have been conducted that show that exposure to violent media increases aggression and anti-social behavior in some individuals.

“If there’s even one step we can take to save another child or another parent or another town from the grief that’s visited Tucson and Aurora and Oak Creek and Newtown and communities from Columbine to Blacksburg before that, then surely we have an obligation to try.” President Obama

Our hearts go out to the families of the victims, and the entire town of Newtown, who have been devastated by one young man’s actions.

The post A Nation Mourns for the Victims of Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting appeared first on Sheer Investigations.

s we know it.

Image source: Nowtheendbegins.com

As far as I know, no one has asked us to investigate what might happen on December 21. We may not be investigating, but enough people are freaked out by the end of the world that scientists have taken time out of their legitimate work to explain to the conspiracy theorists and the naive that nothing is going to happen. Even NASA has provided extensive answers to questions about the coming apocalypse and the Mayan calendar.

Image source: Thetruthseeker.co.uk

According to NASA, we have nothing to worry about. From their website:
Question: Are there any threats to the Earth in 2012? Many Internet websites say the world will end in December 2012.
Answer: The world will not end in 2012. Our planet has been getting along just fine for more than 4 billion years, and credible scientists worldwide know of no threat associated with 2012.

There you have it. There is plenty more information on their site.

But what about the Mayan calendar? NASA scientists stated that the Mayan calendar doesn’t end, it just starts a new period, like we do on January 1. Of course the Mayans didn’t have all kinds of next year calendars featuring cute kittens, or a joke for every day of the year. Don’t worry, those kittens are going to grow into cats next year.

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There have been all kinds of predictions regarding the end of the world. The apocalypse as described in the bible, in the Book of Revelation, or the predictions of Nostradamus are probably the most popular end of times predictions. So far, none of these has come true.

According to a survey by the Public Religion Research Institute in partnership with the Religion News Service, almost four in 10 Americans believe that natural disasters, such as Hurricane Sandy are evidence of the coming end times.

Maybe they are right, or maybe Hurricane Sandy is a result of global warming, or maybe it is the natural cycle of things. I know that there are survivalists stocking up food and supplies in their home-made bomb shelters, preparing for doomsday. I also know that no matter what happens, some bad people will try to take advantage of the situation to scam those people who are preparing for the end.

Image source: Blog.buyerp.com

I’ll just say this: remember Y2K? That was going to be another global meltdown. All the computers which run practically everything, even in 2000, were going to shut down, all because of a date. I remember that our industry was inundated with calls from companies looking for ramped up security on New Years Eve, just in case. We got up on January 1 and our computers were still working. So was everything else.

Image source: Designavl.com

I don’t think that private investigation and security agencies have been getting the same kind of calls for December 21.
Private investigators aren’t scientists, or religious scholars. We search for facts and attempt to put them together in some cohesive manner to make sense of the truth. So what is the truth? Who knows. The end of the world is something no one will ever be able to predict, and many have tried. The world could end before you read the next

The post Investigating the End of the World on December 21, 2012 appeared first on Sheer Investigations.

igator can often see the situation a lot clearer. Why not put money aside in your budget for private investigations?

Image source: Cubeme.com

If you wait until you need an investigator, you’ll be scrambling to find a good one. At the beginning of next year, sit down with your team and discuss hiring a private investigation agency. Take your time to choose a reputable agency with experience and a solid reputation.

In this economy, money is tight, and you may feel that you can’t afford the services of a private investigator. A slow economy leads to economic crime. Your employees are feeling the pinch as well, this can lead to desperation and white-collar crimes such as embezzlement.

Image source: Fraud.laws.com

Insurance companies understand the benefit of planning. Many insurance companies have one or more investigation companies on their list. Adjusters who need an investigator must use the approved agency.

If you manage a large organization or corporation, you may consider putting out a request for proposals. Here are some tips to ensure you hire the right company:

• The cheapest isn’t necessarily the best, as in everything, you get what you pay for.
• Choose an investigation agency that specializes in the type of services you will need. A small agency that usually handles domestic investigations won’t be able to handle the range of work that you may need. They may not have the staff available when you call.
• Meet with the directors or managers of the agency. Have a list of questions.
• The cost of an investigation can be difficult to predict, however you have a budget, and a reputable agency respects that. They will outline all of the costs, such as hourly rates for surveillance or other forms of investigation, mileage, and administrative costs.
• Ask how often the investigation manager will keep you updated on the progress of your file.
• Does the agency have investigators who specialize in certain areas, such as Certified Fraud Examiners?
• What coverage does an investigation company offer? Investigative agencies with operatives across the state, or in adjacent states will be able to offer you more.

• Investigators with a background in law enforcement have the edge on the competition. They often have resources, knowledge and training that you can’t get anywhere else.
• An investigation company that also handles security matters can be twice as effective. You may have security issues that are leading to the problems that need to be investigated. A security expert can consult with you on risk management, provide a security audit of your facilities and suggest ways to provide added protection to your facility and employees.

Image source: ACFE.com/

White-collar crime is on the rise. Whether you need surveillance, pre-employment screening, litigation support, or fraud and theft investigations, a full service agency, such as Sheer Investigations will be able to meet all your needs.

Private investigators can be of assistance to both small businesses and large corporations. Do your due diligence. We conduct those kinds of investigations too.

The post Why Private Investigations Should be in Your Budget for 2013 appeared first on Sheer Investigations.

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Private Investigator Licensing

Almost every state is on board with private investigator licensing. Requiring investigators to obtain mandatory training, testing and licensing only serves to better our industry. Like Florida, many states require a minimum 40 hours of training. This is a good thing. Back in the days when some of us old timers started, you were hired by an agency and they taught you. You can’t learn everything about this business in 40 hours. You can’t even learn it in a 200 hour college course, but learning the basics is important. There is no way to teach some skills like surveillance, unless you are out there doing it. That is why ex-law enforcement often have an advantage, because they have honed many of the skills needed to be a good investigator.

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Education

It is the same in any occupation. You can take the 40 hour course and start your career, or you can go further and take advanced training, or specialize. There are all kinds of college courses that an investigator can take to learn more. PI Now released a list of some of the best college and university courses for private investigation studies. If you are planning a career as a private investigator, check out the school carefully. As in everything, there are some schools that are better than others.
Private Investigator associations and organizations such as The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and ASIS International also provide courses and seminars.

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Women and Investigations

We all know that private investigation used to be the domain of the male sex. There have always been a few brave women in the industry, but the numbers are increasing. There are now more women entering the field of private investigation than ever before. Women have a lot to contribute to our industry.

Image source: BLS.gov

Industry Growth

According to the United States Department of Labor, employment of private investigators is expected to grow 21 percent from 2010 to 2020, which is faster than the average for all occupations. The Department of Labor attributes the growth in demand to an increased need for cyber crime investigations, background checks for employment and personal reasons, and increased security concerns.

What we do used to be a secret, but now you can go on the internet and familiarize yourself with the work of private investigators. While this has deglamorized our industry, it has validated the work of private investigators and brought new respect to the industry.

Image source: Inbound.nowitworks.com

Websites and magazines such as PI Magazine and Pursuit Magazine, private

investigator news-wires services and private investigation agency websites and blog such as this have contributed to the public’s education. We aren’t giving away any confidential information, and we aren’t making it easier for the people we investigate. We are happy to share our knowledge with our peers and the public. We are showing that what we do has real value.

The post The Bigger, Better World of Private Investigation in 2012 appeared first on Sheer Investigations.

n world that Orwell concocted in 1949. Big Brother is watching. But who is Big Brother?

Image source: Zdnet.com

American’s value their freedom too much for this scenario ever to happen. Maybe it could happen in England, where the British author wrote his novel. After all, they already have CCTV cameras covering every inch of the public view. There are at least 4.2 million CCTV cameras watching the British go

about their daily lives.

According to a BBC article published in October, 2012, it is estimated that there will be 129,299 HD CCTV cameras in the UK by the end of 2012. Many of the older analogue cameras are being replaced by new CCTV which offer up to 29 megapixels. Orwell would relish the irony of the CCTV camera posted outside of his London home.

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The Government is Big Brother

Everyone uses England as the benchmark for CCTV camera surveillance and crime prevention, but we are catching up. Every time you go shopping at the mall, you are being watched. When you approach that intersection, a red light camera may be watching you.

Most of us don’t notice, and many of us don’t care. CCTV cameras catch criminals, they stop people from running red lights, they track the movements of people who have gone missing. They provide us with some security. Some of us now have CCTV cameras installed outside our own homes, for protection.

People are worried that the FBI, the CIA and Homeland Security are tracking their Internet searches. Does Homeland Security have a list of words used in meme-tracking? Apparently it does, but unless you are a terrorist, or a wanted criminal, you are at more risk of being spied on by these people:

Market Researchers and Advertisers are Big Brother

Just because I was searching for information on George Orwell, and his book, I know that ads relating to this topic are going to be popping up on other sites I visit. Why? Because advertisers use cookies to track your online habits and target your interests.

Orwell and Ray Bradbury, who wrote the novel “Fahrenheit 451 ” got one thing wrong. We still value the written word, but the word is becoming more prevalent on digital, where it can be controlled and altered. A published paper book will always stay the same.

Now Kindle and other e-book providers are tracking your reading habits. Thanks to this handy digital device, Amazon knows what books you have searched for, what you have purchased, but more importantly, how you are reading those books. Do you skip the introduction and go right to the first chapter? Do you skim over certain parts? Amazon knows.

George Orwell was given free reign to let his imagination fly, but in the competitive world of literature it isn’t inconceivable that an author could be pressured by a publisher to write an ending that has a better chance of capturing a wider market based on market research from e-books. This is already happening.

This month, Verizon applied for a patent to create a DVR that will be able to spy on you while you are watching TV.  The unit will contain a camera and microphone to monitor how you enjoy your favorite shows, and what products you use, such as snacks or drinks while watching TV.  Now that is Big Brother.

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You are Big Brother

Yes, you. Or I should say we are Big Brother. That would be the royal we; we the people who want to share our every move on Facebook, Twitter, or foursquare. We already have our “newspeak” – LOL, WTF, TMI. Too much information.

We are Big Brother; the ones who constantly take photos and post them online. The ones who want our own reality show, so that every aspect of our lives can be made public for fame and fortune. We are willing to expose our weaknesses, our addictions, our love lives and our losses to get that exposure. We will let people into the most intimate moments of our lives for our 15 minutes of fame. That’s right, another creative person imagined that scenario, and Andy Warhol’s prediction has come true.

Image source: Snacklepack.wordpress.com

Let’s make up our own futuristic story for a moment. Suppose next year some Big Brother type organization overtook the government. How hard would they have to work to spy on you? Not very hard. We’ve already made it easy. Maybe living such transparent lives is a good thing, but most of us want privacy in certain areas of our lives.

The post How 2012 Became Nineteen Eighty-Four appeared first on Sheer Investigations.

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Who knows what these folks in the above photo were doing after this picture was taken. Back then, we didn’t have laws to protect people from sexual harassment. Just because people are in a social situation and drinking is involved, doesn’t mean that they can get away with sexual harassment.

Image source: Infographipedia.com

Many employees have found themselves on the unemployment line after getting too  friendly with a co-worker at a holiday party. Your company could also be on the line for a sexual harassment suit, if a complaint isn’t dealt with properly.

Flirting may be fun, but it is not acceptable at workplace social events, such as Christmas parties. You need to know the environment you work in. What is acceptable in the entertainment industry may not fly in the financial sector, where people are generally more conservative in their actions. Many men have asked me what is appropriate. I’m sorry to say this, but plenty of men are confused. They don’t know what is appropriate.  For instance, is it okay to complement a female co-worker and tell her she looks pretty when she is dressed up for an office party?

• Of course you can pay someone a compliment, but it depends how you do it. Don’t say something like, “Your body looks hot in that tight dress.”
• If there is dancing at your party, is it okay to dance close to a co-worker? Sure you can dance, just keep your hands where they belong and don’t press too close.
• If your company has a secret Santa or gag gift exchange, don’t give anyone a gift of any sexual nature. If you think
  viagra españa comprar

  that no one would be that stupid, or outrageous, think again.

• If your company is holding a get together, make sure that all employees are familiar with your sexual harassment policy. Remind employees that social events are no exception.

People who want to get ahead in their careers know that you have to tailor your face-to-face communication style to the person. For example, you don’t speak the same way to a direct report as you would to the CEO. When you’re a bit tipsy, or totally in your boots, you may forget about decorum.

Acting with restraint doesn’t just apply to the workplace. If you are at a house party, you don’t want to be the talk of your street the next day, because you made a pass at your neighbor’s wife, or husband. Yes, women are guilty of sexual harassment too. Same sex harassment can also be a problem.

When you are at a party, unless you are with very close friends and family who forgive your social blunders, you should always try to stay in control. At this time of year, people are worried about their weight, so they may skip eating in order to use those calories for drinks. Don’t do it, you have to eat to absorb the alcohol, so you don’t get drunk.  Have a non-alcoholic drink between drinks.

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• If someone is getting too hands-on at a party, ask the person to back off. You can give them a bit of a break, if they are intoxicated. Talk to them the next day, and tell them it can’t happen again.  If someone becomes belligerent or aggressive at the party, after you have asked him, or her to cool it, report the incident to your supervisor.
• Take a cab to and from the party. Don’t accept a ride from an intoxicated co-worker.
• What if your boss is the one doing the sexual harassing? It’s been know to happen. Tell him to stop, and that you will report it to the authorities. Don’t allow a superior to get away with this because you are afraid of losing your job. You’ll probably lose your job anyway when your boss sobers up, or fears someone will find out, and you’ll have lost your self respect.

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Suppose you and another person are both three sheets to the wind and end up making out at a party? That’s all fine and good if neither of you is in a relationship, but people are still going to talk. Suppose someone sees you? Everyone has a smartphone, and people love to take candid photos at parties. If one, or both of you are attached, you might become the subject of gossip, or a domestic investigation, when your spouse hires a private investigator to see what is transpiring. Or, worse case scenario, someone could blackmail you.

Image source: Bacchart.net

Better to down a few less drinks and keep your knickers on. When the guy in the next cubicle, who usually creeps you out suddenly resembles Brad Pitt at the Christmas party, you know you’ve had too much. Even a few drinks can impair your judgement. If your party was so wild that no one remembers what happened, but you know something did, you might want to hire a private investigator.

The post But There was Mistletoe! Christmas Parties and Sexual Harassment appeared first on Sheer Investigations.

and giving all kinds of interviews.  We’re speaking to you, John McAfee.

Image Source: Telegraph.co.uk

Many of us have been following the saga of John McAfee these past few weeks. We’ve been entertained by his crazy actions, but it’s really kind of sad. We can’t forget that McAfee’s neighbor, Gregory Faull was murdered. No one knows who killed him, but McAfee is a suspect.  That doesn’t mean we can’t pick apart McAfee’s actions and use them for our benefit, like everyone else has been doing.

Who knows if McAfee is a murderer, insane, or just a rather eccentric, but brilliant individual. This post isn’t a comment on his character, because we don’t know him. What we do know is what he writes on his blog, and what he has said in his interviews. He uses his wealth to get young women to be his girlfriends. He wouldn’t be the first one to do that. He says he used to have a drug and alcohol problem but has been clean since 1983.

What could McAfee learn from us?

Financial Investments

McAfee founded the famous anti-virus company that is his namesake, but he hasn’t been involved with the company since he resigned in 1994. His invention made him rich; at one point he was worth approximately $100 million, but he made quite a few bad investments. He could have hired a private investigator to conduct some due diligence on those financial investments.

Reputation Management

If you were looking for a good anti-virus program and you put McAfee into Google this past few weeks, the first hit you would get would be news stories about John McAfee. McAfee, the company, has had to do damage control, even though most of the people who work there only know as much about McAfee as the rest of us do.

Here’s a tip John could use. Don’t make your problems worse by opening your mouth when you don’t have to. Blogging about your troubles may get it off your chest, but it makes you look bad. McAfee is being extradited back to Belize. If they put him on the witness stand he isn’t going to do well. Every good private investigator, police officer and lawyer knows that when you are asked questions on the witness stand, you don’t elaborate. If you can, you answer yes, or no.

Image source: abcnews.go.com

Going into Hiding

John may be an IT genius, but he doesn’t know a thing about going into hiding. A

private investigator could have counselled John on discretion. You don’t keep giving interviews to the press and letting them know your whereabouts. John made the mistake of letting Vice Magazine into his life. If you aren’t familiar with the magazine, it is a controversial, kind of hipster magazine that covers arts, entertainment and news.

McAfee allowed Vice editor-in-chief Rocco Castoro and photographer Robert King to travel with him in Guatemala. They posted a photograph of McAfee and Castoro on the Vice website. A Twitter user was able to find McAfee using the geo data from the photograph. Most media outlets know enough to remove this kind of data, but someone screwed up.

It is a fascinating story, and it isn’t over yet. Is he guilty, or is there a huge conspiracy in Belize, as he claims? Meanwhile, McAfee’s life may be topsy turvy, but we can still take advantage of his contribution to Internet safety. The company McAfee is still providing great service. I’ll end this post with some advice for everyone, courtesy of McAfee.

Image source: Mcafee.com/us/

The post What John McAfee Could Learn from a Private Investigator appeared first on Sheer Investigations.

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Retail crimes increase during the holidays. According to the Center for Retail Research report commissioned by Checkpoint Systems, it is estimated that American retailers will lose $3.8 billion over the holiday season as a result of shoplifting, an additional $4.7 billion through employee theft, and $400 million from vendor and distribution losses.

Image source: Cucinadivina.blogspot.com

The report lists the top 10 Most Stolen Categories of Goods for 2012:

1) alcohol
2) women’s clothing and fashion accessories
3) toys
4) perfume and health & beauty gift packs
5) electronic devices such as smartphones and tablet computers, toiletries for men
6) DVD gift sets and game consoles
7) food and Christmas decorations
8) electrical goods including hardware/DIY
9) watches and jewelry
10) chocolates and confectionery

Image source: Techfleece.com

The problems don’t end at Christmas. According to the just released National Retail Federation’s 2012 Return Fraud Survey, it is estimated that retailers will lose $8.9 billion in return fraud this year, $2.9 during the holiday season. Criminals return merchandise that they have stolen, or use counterfeit receipts. Employees also engage in return fraud or collusion with outside parties.

It may be difficult to steal product from an online store, but return fraud is becoming more common using fraudulent online e-receipts. Some retailers allow returns of product purchased online, and the receipts can be fakes.

Here are some loss prevention tips that are especially important at this busy time of year:

Training

You should always educate your employees, giving them the tools to conduct business in the proper way, and providing them with tips on criminal behavior. Thieves are always coming up with new methods, and your employees need to adapt. At this time of year, you may have temporary employees who are new to your business. They haven’t had the

training, and you aren’t going to invest the time in someone who will only be there for a month or two. Advise your senior staff to keep an eye on temporary employees and help them out when needed.

It is too late for this now, but keep it in mind for future reference. If you haven’t conducted pre-employment screening on those new, or temporary employees, you may have hired a thief.

Point of Sale Transactions

Give your employees a refresher in handling cash, credit, debit, gift card and check transactions.

• Credit card fraud – Cashiers should never manually enter a credit card number into the system. Most stores don’t allow this to happen, and with good reason. Cloned credit cards can be a real problem. Make sure the last four numbers of the card match the numbers on the receipt. Many of the tip-offs that might indicate credit card fraud at other times of the year are more difficult to discern. During the holidays, people are maxing out their cards, buying large quantities, and expensive items.
• Coupon fraud – coupons can be counterfeited much easier than money, but they can still be worth a bundle to the criminal. The Coupon Information Center provides updated lists of counterfeit coupons.
• Make sure you keep a close eye on your gift cards. Many people avoid the nightmare of shopping by purchasing gift cards from your store. Thieves also love those cards. Keep them where you can see them.

Physical Security

Are your CCTV, alarm systems, and anti-shoplifting devices working properly? Make sure you have adequate floor staff to serve your customers and keep an eye out for shoplifters. Now is the time to consider hiring security staff, or extra security. Keep your store clean and tidy, especially dressing rooms.

Don’t forget your parking lot. Is there proper lighting? Ensure that customers and staff leaving at night have a safe trip out of your property. Vehicle break-ins always increase during the holiday season. Hire extra security to patrol your lot.

Shoplifting affects your customers through increased prices. The Center for Retail Research report estimates holiday retail losses result in an additional $98 on each family’s shopping bill.  Malls are being designed for more than shopping. They have become gathering places, entertainment centers, and homes away from home. Amidst all the decorations and celebrations, let’s not forget that it is most important to keep your customers safe, and keep your holiday profits in your coffers and out of the hands of criminals.

The post Three Ways to Maximize Profits and Prevent Holiday Retail Loss appeared first on Sheer Investigations.

hem for a few years. Maybe you’re still paying them off. The FBI is working to save you money on these purchases.

Image source: Gizmodo.com

You’re probably thinking, “Right, what did the FBI ever do for me?” Maybe you think the closest the FBI has ever entered the sphere of your life is when it spies on your online activity.

Unless you are a criminal, or a victim of a serious federal crime you’ll probably never have any dealings with the organization. Guess what? You are a victim, a victim of price fixing. The FBI works with the Antitrust Division of the United States Department of Justice to investigate price fixing.

Image source: Justice.gov

According to the DOJ, “Price fixing is an agreement among competitors to raise, fix, or otherwise maintain the price at which their goods or services are sold. It is not necessary that the competitors agree to charge exactly the same price, or that every competitor in a given industry join the conspiracy.”

Price fixing is against

the law. The Sherman Act prohibits price fixing, rig bids and other anti-competitive activity. Not only are corporations that have violated the Act subject to huge fines, and jail sentences for individuals, but they may have to pay restitution to the victims – that may be you!

Here are three cases of price fixing from the FBI’s files:

Image source: CBC.ca/news

Liquid Crystal Displays

If you purchased a device with an LCD display, such as a computer monitor, laptop or big screen TV between 2001 and 2006, you were probably gouged. According to the FBI, just after 9/11, a group of top executives from leading Asian manufacturers of LCD panels had a secret meeting to fix prices in the U.S. and other countries. They met numerous times and shared information.

AU Optronics Corporation was the largest manufacturer and seller of LCD screens. The company provided information to its American subsidiary in order to fix prices. This artificially raised the price of televisions and other products purchased by American consumers.

The companies involved in this conspiracy sold $71.9 billion worth of the price fixed LCD panels. AU Optronics sold $2.34 billion in the U.S. This September, thanks to the DOJ and the FBI, two former executives of AU Optronics Corporation were sentenced to three years in prison and the company was ordered to pay $500 million in criminal fines.

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Car Parts

There have been a number of price fixing conspiracies involving car parts. We have the DOJ and the FBI to thank for uncovering price fixing by Japanese company, G.S. Electech Inc. The company conspired to rig bids and fix prices on speed sensor wire assemblies. This is something that is installed on vehicles with antilock brake systems (ABS). The parts were sold to the American car market from 2003 until at least February 2010. The company has agreed to pay a $2.75 million criminal fine. The investigation is still ongoing, and a number of executives with G.S. Electech and four other companies have been charged. Let’s not even get into the pervasive price fixing that goes on with gas stations.

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Refrigerator Compressors

The DOJ and FBI also investigated the cost of what goes on inside your refrigerator, when companies practice price fixing. Panasonic Corporation and a Whirlpool Corporation subsidiary, Embraco North America Inc., were charged and pled guilty in an international conspiracy to fix prices on refrigerant compressors used in home refrigerators and freezers. In 2010, the companies agreed to pay $140.9 million in criminal fines for their part in the conspiracy.

So there you have it. Those are just three examples; there are dozens more. Like to read e-books?  There is another example. When you’re out doing your holiday shopping and complaining about the prices, think how much worse it could be, if the FBI and DOJ didn’t have your interests at heart.

The post Three Ways the FBI has Saved You Money appeared first on Sheer Investigations.

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Is blackmail the same as extortion? Blackmail is a common term used to describe a crime that involves making threats to expose a secret, unless a demand is met. The blackmailer usually has knowledge of something that would be embarrassing, incriminating or damaging to the individual if the information was released.

The demand may not necessarily be monetary. People, especially women can be blackmailed for sexual favors. This is now being referred to as “sextortion”.

Extortion involves a coercive act or intimidation to obtain money, property or a type of service from an individual, organization or company. Organized crime groups practice extortion by taking payments from people or business owners, under the threat of violence.

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If everyone led a perfect life, it would be difficult to blackmail people. We’re human. People have affairs and do other things that they don’t want others to know about. There are all kinds of philosophical discussions on the paradox of blackmail. After all, the blackmailer may be doing a public service by exposing someone’s criminal or unethical behavior. Two wrongs don’t make a right.

In 2009, David Letterman was the victim of an extortion attempt when Robert J. “Joe” Halderman, a producer of the CBS series 48 Hours threatened to reveal that Letterman had sex with female members of his staff. Halderman pay someone write my paper left a package in Letterman’s car and said he would write a book and a screenplay about Letterman’s extra curricular activities if he didn’t pay him $2 million.

Letterman handled

the situation with grace and smarts. He reported the crime to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. Letterman agreed to participate in a sting, and Halderman was arrested after trying to deposit a check.

You would think that a producer of a show that focuses on law enforcement solving cases would know that he was going to get caught. Instead of taking Letterman down and ruining his reputation, the public got behind the talk show host when he told the story on his show.

This kind of crime has been around for centuries, but the Internet and technology have made it easier for criminals to dig up dirt on people and use it against them.

Here is an extortion letter written in 1910, which is in the U.S. Archives. George Pavick mailed this threatening letter to Max Mass, of Chicago. Pavlick was arrested and charged with a violation of the U.S. Postal laws. He was a minor at the time. Pavick used what he thought was the language of the Black Hand, which was believed to be a Sicilian Mafia method for extorting people.

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If you are thinking that you could never be the victim of blackmail or extortion, think again. You don’t have to be hiding a deep dark secret, someone just needs to make it appear that way. Suppose you are at your office Christmas party, and maybe have a bit too much to drink. A co-worker who hates your guts, brings a “guest” to the party. She’s a busty blonde, hanging out of her dress. Not the kind of woman who works with you in the executive quarters. He pays her to get a bit friendly and start kissing you. A few discreet photos taken with his smart phone, and he says he is going to send them to your wife if you don’t acquiesce to his demands.

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When a blackmailer says “or else”, don’t run in fear, or give in. Or else what? Of course you don’t want your secret coming out, but sooner or later that might happen anyway. The blackmailer could come back for more, even if you give them what they want.

If someone is demanding money or something else, in exchange for your cooperation, contact police. If someone has threatened you with violence if you go to the cops, you know that chances are they are going to hurt you anyway, if you don’t come up with the money fast enough. If your secret comes out, you’ll have to deal with it. If you’re not a public figure, your story will soon fade into the background.

We have to address another concern. Private investigators are hired to uncover secrets. Reputable private investigators, like the team at Sheer Investigations vet their clients carefully. We don’t take clients who wish to use the information we obtain for illegal purposes.

The post Got Secrets? Blackmailers Want to Know Your Business appeared first on Sheer Investigations.

and cause economic loss. A sockpuppet is a fake identity used as a tool to deceive others on Internet forums, social media, product review sites, or other online communities.

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Many companies are using social media and forums as an effective tool to promote their business, or products. Your competitor may be paying people to post negative reviews or comments online. This form of digital sabotage is becoming more common, because it is easy to do, and difficult to prove or determine where the false comments are originating. It works the other way as well, companies hire people to slam the Internet with positive reviews of their product.

This type of marketing can come back to bite you.  People are becoming more aware of these techniques, and they no longer trust that a review of a product is real. There are other, more effective ways to market your business, or product. Seek out the advice of an expert marketer, social media expert or SEO specialist.

No where is this more in evidence then at Amazon.com. Amazon is the world’s largest online retailer. Millions of companies and Amazon resellers and affiliates post products online every day. According to the 2011 Amazon letter to shareholders,  Amazon Web Services has peaked at close to a million transactions per second. Many of those purchases were prompted by a positive review.

Amazon reviews have spawned an entire subculture of people who write and read humorous product reviews. The Three Wolf Moon T-Shirt review started this trend. We all know who posted the review now, because Brian Govern, a law student at Rutgers University at the time, has achieved notoriety for the review. He posted a hilarious review of the T-Shirt in 2008, under the username “Bee-Dot-Govern”. Govern did not actually own one of these shirts. Let’s be honest, it’s not the kind of thing a Rutger’s man is usually seen in.

Image source: digitalfilmtree.com

Now this was all in fun. The manufacturer wasn’t thrilled at first, until Govern’s review went viral and led to many other funny reviews making this T-Shirt Amazon’s best selling clothing item.

Govern was not a sockpuppet, he was simply using a pseudonym. There is a difference. Sockpuppets have an agenda. They are being paid by a third party, or they are attempting to sway voters in an election,  promote some political agenda, or play out a grudge against someone. Amazon has had a real problem in their book division with sockpuppet authors writing scathing reviews of other writer’s books, while writing positive reviews of their own.

Anyone can post a negative review of a product on Amazon, or any other site, as a sockpuppet. It only takes a few minutes to make a fake email address on gmail or yahoo, then make a fake Amazon account to write reviews. While the humorous reviews on Amazon may be negative, they aren’t taken seriously and actually draw attention to the article.

Using paid posters may seem like a great marketing strategy, but it could backfire, even if you are only promoting your company, and not bad-mouthing another one. People are becoming more savvy and can spot a paid product review.

The insidious reviews or comments posted on websites and forums are where the real buy tadalafil online danger to your company lies. A disgruntled employee may set up numerous sockpuppet accounts to get back at your company.

Image source: Memegenerator.net

How do you prevent this from happening and how to you ferret out sockpuppetry? According to The Daily Beast, an algorithm which can detect sockpuppet posts has been developed by researchers at Cornell. Computer science professor Yejin Choi of State University of New York, has taken that research and is developing further improvements.

Sockpuppets will usually start new threads, repeat posts with small changes, and not take part in general discussions. Are sockpuppets rigging discussions on your forums or posting negative reviews?

Don’t allow anonymous posting on your company website, blog, social media site or forum. Your forum moderator, or digital media managers should keep an eye out for suspicious posts. All posts should be moderated. A good forum moderator or social media manager usually gets to know the type of people who post on your site. They learn how to recognize sockpuppetry.

An article on Forbes points to an example where TripAdviser was far more susceptible to false reviews than Expedia, because TripAdvisor allowed anonymous reviews. Expedia reviewers were vetted because they must have booked a room through Expedia in order to write a review. To take this further, only allowing consumers who have purchased a product to review it, will also cut down on fraudulent reviews.

Image source: Consumerist.com

Many of the ads for paid posters come up on Craigslist. The site has an effective way to cut down on their own Sockpuppet posters by allowing users to flag posts that seem to be fraudulent.

You can sometimes spot a sockpuppet if a number of different accounts come from the same IP address, although there are ways around this.

Is sockpuppetry a crime? That depends. It is certainly not a victimless crime. Unfortunately, the laws are lagging behind the speed in which new crime methods develop on the Internet.  A few individuals have been prosecuted for sockpuppet activities that harmed an individual.

I order to have trust in the online economic system, we have to silence the sockpuppets. Don’t take part in this type of marketing, or backstabbing. If it is happening to you, a private investigator can help you track down the person who is using a

sockpuppet, because they are too cowardly, or are being paid to post derogatory comments. Closely monitor your accounts where comments are posted and keep a record of all comments that seem suspicious.

The post When Sockpuppets Put the Bite on your Business appeared first on Sheer Investigations.

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It would be so much easier to tail someone, if everyone wore a tail, like this man shopping at Walmart. For some reason, there are dozens of photographs online of people wearing tails and other strange outfits at Walmart. We’re not judging. Everyone should be able to rock their own style. Not to pick on Walmart, but it is a popular shopping destination where people seem to feel comfortable shopping in their pajamas, or half naked.

We don’t have to tell you that, because the public is doing their own form of surveillance, taking photos of their fellow human beings and posting them online. A lot of people love attention, and that can make our job easier. They decorate their bodies, their homes, and their cars.

Image source: Thedetroitbureau.com

A private investigator becomes a part of a person’s life for a few days, or longer, when we are conducting surveillance. We become a part of the subject’s life, yet not part, because if we are doing our job correctly, he or she doesn’t know we are in their lives. We go where they go, and sometimes we do what they do.

What you learn, is that for the most part people live routine lives, but everyone is different. The first thing you learn as a private investigator is never to

assume. Just because someone goes to the mall every Wednesday, doesn’t mean that they are going to go next week.

What you also learn, doesn’t just come from the person you are following. When you are safely ensconced in your surveillance vehicle you have a ringside seat to the outside world. You can see people and they can’t see you.

Image source: Gmcartech.com

Here is what you learn about the general public, when they think no one is watching:

• Even people who normally wouldn’t break the law will try to get away with things. I know a few private investigators, including myself, who have been on surveillance in a mall parking lot and had someone ram their car, or a shopping cart into a vehicle, usually ours. Or they’ll open their car door and slam it into the side of yours. They walk away as if nothing has happened.
• Men, especially younger men, usually on a weekend when their bladders are full of beer, don’t mind urinating on the side of your vehicle. We know that when you’ve got to go, you’ve got to go, but please! It’s even worse when you see women crouching down in alleyways to do the same thing. Yes, we’ve seen that too.
• It is surprising how many people who live in apartment buildings seem to think no one is watching when they are standing naked on their balcony, or making love standing up on their balcony. It may be high up, but we can see you.
• They really do play volleyball at nudist colonies. A P.I. I know followed his subject to a nudist camp. He was a bit taken aback when he realized that the only way to get into the camp and get video, was to disrobe. Unfortunately, that doesn’t leave any place to hide your covert camera. Those places are always surrounded by high fences and trees, but he managed to get video through a hole in the fence. Hey, there are 8 million stories in the naked city.
• Shopping is one of those activities that brings out the best and the worst in average people.

• What do you do when a psychic comes to you and asks you to determine if her spouse is cheating? Wouldn’t she know this already? She had her suspicions, but any woman has that kind of intuition. She offered to give the investigator a free
  online pharmacy no prescription

  “reading” in lieu of payment.

• The world is a very small place. An investigator friend found this out the hard way when she was traveling by plane to conduct an investigation in another state, and found out she was sitting next to her subject.

Image source: Fastcompany.com

• People are having affairs all over the place. A P.I. might be on surveillance for an insurance claim, or a theft, and find out some extra information. A subject who had been sending threatening letters to a former employer was followed from his home to obtain DNA, to match his DNA with that on the stamp and envelope. Every day, after kissing his wife goodbye, he was going to the home of a female former co-worker, and staying for an hour, before going to his new job. Turns out he had been having an affair with this woman for over ten years.
• A rich client wanted surveillance on his mistress to see if she was cheating on him. He was thinking of leaving his wife for the mistress, but wanted to make sure she was worth it. He paid for her fancy apartment, gave her money, bought her clothes and jewels, and provided a limo to take her shopping. When asked for photographs and a description of the subject before conducting surveillance, he said, “She has big breasts, I paid for them.” Guess what? The investigator found her with another guy on the first night of surveillance. He got his money’s worth from the investigator, but obviously not from anywhere else.

The post What Private Investigators Know: “People are Strange, When You’re a Stranger” appeared first on Sheer Investigations.

polygraph examinations are the closest we have come to determining if someone is telling the truth, but is their accuracy a truth, or a lie?

Image source: Wired.co.uk

TV reality shows have turned a law enforcement and legal tool into entertainment. Most of us have seen those shows where they use lie detectors to determine if someone is cheating on their spouse. Spilling your personal secrets on national TV may seem like a form of torture, but people sign up for it.

A common method of lie detection, before the advent of technology and psychology, was torture. Unfortunately, it works; terrorists can vouch for this method.

We have been using devices to measure physical responses to questions since 1878, when Italian physiologist Angelo Mosso used a plethysmograph to measure cardiovascular and respiratory reactions to questions.

Italians must have really wanted to get to the truth, because they were pioneers in this form of lie detection. In 1895, criminologist Cesare Lombroso modified a hydrosphygmograph and used the device to measure physiological changes in blood pressure and pulse rate when questioning suspects.

Another Italian, Vittorio Benussi used a pneumograph to measure a subject’s breathing patterns, in 1914, in response to questions.

Image source: Crimemagazine.com

It was an American lawyer, Dr. William Marston, who invented a rudimentary version of today’s polygraph machine. His device used a stethoscope and blood pressure cuff to measure readings while questioning subjects.

Canadian psychologist John A. Larson was working with the Berkeley California Police department in 1921, when he came up with the idea of combining measurement of respiratory rate with blood pressure. He came up with the name “polygraph”, which meant “many writings” in Greek.

Leonarde Keeler worked with Larson, and in 1925 developed a system of using pens to record the changes. He also added the psycho galvanometer, in 1938, which measured changes in skin electrical resistance.

It was Chicago lawyer John E. Reid, who came up with the idea of asking subject control questions, in 1945. Keeler set up the first polygraph school, the Keeler Polygraph Institute in 1948. Further improvement in chart analysis were made by Cleve Backster, who was a polygraph examiner with the CIA in the 1950s.

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Since the 1980s, the polygraph has been computerized. But how reliable is this device? Polygraph experts claim a 95 to 100 percent validity, however many scientists dispute this claim. In a study conducted at the request of the U.S. Congress, “Scientific Validity of Polygraph Testing: A Research Review and Evaluation” took into consideration a number of studies that found average accuracy ranged from 64 to 98 percent.

There are dozens of sites on the Internet that give tips on beating the polygraph test. People on those reality shows must think they can beat it, because they always appear shocked when the results show deceptive answers.

For the most part, no one can be forced to take a polygraph test in the United States. In Florida, a sex offender on probation, in violation of chapter 794, s. 800.04, s. 827.071, or s. 847.0145, whose crime was committed on or after October 1, 1997, has to participate in a minimum of an annual polygraph examination.

There are no Federal Rules of Evidence or Code with a specific provision regarding the admissibility of polygraph test results. It is not true that polygraphs are inadmissible in all court proceedings. In some states, such as California, Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, and Florida, the tests are allowed as long as all parties agree.

Polygraphs are inadmissible in New York, Texas, Illinois, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia. New York and Texas, forbid the use of lie detectors in all employment and law enforcement related contexts.

More employers are considering the use of polygraph examinations as a pre-employment screening or investigative tool.  Tread with caution. The Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988 (EPPA), prevents employers in the majority of circumstances  from using lie detector tests for pre-employment screening, or during the course of employment. An employee cannot be disciplined or fired for refusing to take a polygraph, or based on the results of a test. Workplaces that use lie detector tests or polygraphs must display this poster:

Image source: Wku.edu

There are some exemptions where the test may be used (with caveats):

• Employees who are the subject of an investigation where there is reasonable suspicion that the individual had access and means to commit a crime
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  that results in economic loss to the employer.

• Prospective employees of  security companies that specialize in armored car and security alarm services, or  protect “facilities, materials or operations affecting health or safety, national security, or currency and other like instruments”.
• “Prospective employees of pharmaceutical and other firms authorized to manufacture, distribute, or dispense controlled substances who will have direct access to such controlled substances, as well as current employee who had access to persons or property that are the subject of an ongoing investigation.”

If you have questions about the use of lie detectors as a tool for your organization, consult with a reputable private investigation agency.  We can recommend an experienced polygraph examiner and help guide you through the legalities.

The post The Truth about Lie Detectors appeared first on Sheer Investigations.

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Clients who have never used a private investigator often think we can work miracles. Sometimes we can, but those miracles aren’t the kind where you snap your fingers and evidence magically appears. It takes time. Yes, we can often get the information you need from the Internet, or database searches, but often the best choice is surveillance. It takes longer, and costs more, but it’s worth it to get the results you need.

Image source: drivestyle.com

Faking Illness or Injury

Insurance adjusters are savvy about investigations. They know that you need surveillance to prove insurance fraud. Is the subject really as injured as they claim? Are they even injured at all? In many cases the person who claims to be off work due to an injury is working at another job.

We could probably find that out from making a few calls, or from their social media or other Internet searches, but that isn’t proof. You need video evidence to observe the subject actually coming and going from work. For auto insurance claims, Workers’ Compensation or other disability or sickness benefits, you have to show the subject’s movements and activities of daily living. Fake slip and fall accidents, are common problems for retail locations. Surveillance can prove that this individual is faking an injury.

Theft

You may have CCTV cameras covering every angle of your facility, you might even have security guards, but what happens when an inside job goes outside? If your cameras catch an employee stashing product in a place it doesn’t belong, such as somewhere outside, you need to be able to follow the product. Sometimes the employee is working with an outside party, who will come in the night and scoop up your product. You need to find out who is involved and where they are taking your merchandise. Private investigators can follow the suspect or suspects, observe

and obtain video of the criminals unloading your product in a home, or other location.

This week in Toronto, Canada, David Rennie, the executive director of the Salvation Army’s main Toronto warehouse turned himself in after an internal audit discovered that $2 million worth of donated toys had gone missing over a period of two years.

Police suspect that Rennie was working with at least one accomplice. Toronto Police recovered three tractor trailer loads of the toys in a warehouse registered to a company called Northern Sales. It is believed that much of the product was sold at flea markets or other locations. This kind of theft happens all the time, although it usually isn’t this horrible. Stealing toys that were donated for children’s Christmas presents is the lowest of the low.

Image source: Truckdriversafety.ca

You can have GPS on your transport trucks, but that isn’t going to let you know if your drivers are loading extra product on their trucks and selling it on the side.

Other Reasons to Consider Surveillance

• Vandalism of your property – some people consider graffiti an art form, but you may not be one of those people
• A former employee breaking a non-compete
• Criminals selling counterfeit copies of your product
• Employee malfeasance, substance abuse, and other workplace issues

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Surveillance is your best option in any situation where you need physical observation backed up by videotape evidentiary support. Surveillance is an art. You need to hire the best investigators to obtain evidence of theft, fraud, or other criminal activity. The team at Sheer Investigations has years of combined experience in all forms of surveillance to assist you with intelligence gathering or help you obtain evidence for a court case.

The post Why Paying More For Surveillance Pays Off Big Time appeared first on Sheer Investigations.

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Everyone knows about protecting their digital data by now. We’ve written a number of posts in this regard, and you can find thousands of articles online on this topic. But what about paper? Remember that stuff made out of trees? Even so called paperless offices use paper. How secure are your documents and your disposal methods?

Macy’s had nothing to do with the confetti that contained confidential information. A police department employee brought the shredded paper to the parade. The paper was shredded in the least secure method; strip shredding. It included Social Security numbers, other personal information regarding Nassau County police officers, and information regarding Mitt Romney’s motorcade from the final presidential debate.

Image source: office-equipment.typepad.com

Paper shredders are an excellent way of destroying documents, if you use the right one. Those strip-cut shredders, or confetti-cut shredders really don’t do the job.

• The cheap strip-cut shredder cut paper into 34 strips
• A confetti-cut shredder, or cross-cut shredder cuts paper into 300 pieces, which look like confetti
• By far, the best shredder is the micro-cut shredder, which cuts paper into over 3000 pieces.

It would be impossible to reassemble the pieces of paper from a micro-cut shredder. Not so with the others. During the  the Iranian Revolution in 1979, in the takeover of the U.S. embassy in Tehran, Iranians got their hands on strip shredded documents. Iranian carpet weavers reconstructed the pieces.

Image source: Technovelgy.com

It is even easier to piece shredded documents together today, such as the example above, using computer programs. In 2011, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) held a Shredder Challenge where anyone could enter and solve a number of puzzles by piecing together shredded documents. Some of the entrants were computer scientists, but others were just regular people who like to solve puzzles. Here is a video by one of the participants, showing how he did this:

Other means of destroying documents are hydropulping, which involves using chemicals to completely destroy the paper and turn it into pulp. This service isn’t widely available for commercial use, although government agencies use this method.

Incineration is a simple, cheap and very destructive method. Municipal incineration plants sometimes accept paper, but you are giving up security once you place your paper in someone else’s hands. You could burn it yourself if you had the proper situation. Government agencies also use this means. Documents are placed in a burn bag and when full they are burned or pulped. Some companies sell these burn bags commercially.

Shredding Services which operate mobile shredding services, offer an extremely secure method of disposing of your documents. They take your security very seriously, their business depends on it. Many services allow you to watch your documents being destroyed.

Privacy legislation includes the destruction of identifying and confidential information. Your company could be held liable if sensitive information was released through improper disposal methods.

Image source: Nypost.com

It goes without saying that you also need to protect your paper before it reaches the shredder. Some of that paper that ends up in the recycling box could lead to identity theft and data breaches. This could also lead to corporate espionage.

Make sure all paper for shredding is placed in locked consoles, which are available from office supply stores or any company that sells shredders.

You should have a system in place to control your documents, and this should include storage, handling and disposal. Another area of concern is your digital photocopier. Copiers contain a hard drive which stores information on copied and scanned documents. Make sure your copier has software that automatically erases the hard drive images.

The Ponemon Institute conducts independent research on privacy, data protection and information security policy. In 2008, they conducted a study, “The Security of Paper Documents in the Workplace” It is still worth reading. Forty nine percent of the respondents in the study reported that a data breach involved the loss or theft of paper documents.

The Nassau County Police never expected their information to be sprinkled in the midst of thousands of people. It just takes one person to get their hands on your data, and use it in the wrong way.

The post When Destruction is a Good Thing: Document Shredding appeared first on Sheer Investigations.

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Mortgage Fraud

Florida still has the highest rate of mortgage fraud in the U.S. Since 2007, Florida has been at the top of the LexisNexis annual fraud index. Florida had a mortgage fraud index of 766. This is over seven times the expected rate of fraud investigations based on the number of new mortgages for the state.

Image source: FBI.com

Auto Insurance Fraud

Florida is also the auto insurance fraud capital of the United States, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau. Many experts believe that this is a result of Florida’s no-fault auto insurance, or Personal Injury Protection (PIP) system.

The Department of Financial Services, Division of Insurance Fraud is responsible for investigation all types of insurance fraud. According to the DIF, there was a 15 percent increase in suspected fraud referrals in the fiscal year for 2011 to 2012. Over half of these were for Personal Injury Protection Fraud.

The department is making strides in the fight against this kind of fraud. Between October 2011 and September 2012, the DIF made made 526 PIP arrests. This exceeds the previous year’s record of 496.

Image source: Abcactionnews.com

Medicare Fraud
Florida also holds the title of Medicare fraud capital of the country. The United States Department of Justice has made this type of fraud investigation a priority across the country. Last month, the Justice Department, working with the FBI, arrested and charged more than 30 South Florida suspects with Medicare fraud.

Tax Fraud

According to the September 2012 report by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Florida has the highest rate of stolen identity tax refund fraud in the United States. In October, federal charges were filed against 40 defendants in 20 separate cases of fraudulent identity theft tax filings in Florida. We are talking about millions of dollars from thousands of stolen identities.

Investment Fraud

Financial fraud is another big one in Florida. Ponzi schemes, investment fraud and securities fraud are major concerns. Earlier this year, authorities investigated and charged a number of individuals in a $30 million fraudulent investment scheme. Even when the fraudsters are caught, restitution for the victims is often difficult, because the money may be hidden, or spent.

Image source:Floridatix.co.uk

Why Florida? The sunshine state has it all. It is a place of serenity, natural beauty and fascinating architecture. The beaches, shopping and tourist attractions are some of the best in the world. Fraudsters go where the money and the marks are. There are

thousands of tourists in Florida at any one time, many from up north and Canada. Florida is also one of the most popular destinations for people looking for a retirement home. Seniors are one of the most targeted groups for fraud.

There are dozens of success stories. FBI, law enforcement, and private investigation agencies such as Sheer Investigations are working hard to stop the rampant fraud that is affecting the citizens and visitors of this great state.

The post Why Florida Private Investigators are Working Overtime to Fight Fraud appeared first on Sheer Investigations.

time. I’m not talking about the Internet archive, Wayback Machine, we’re going back to a time when the Internet wasn’t even a glimmer in an inventor’s eye.

Image source: Filmdispenser.com

The time machine is set to 1834. I’m in Paris. Perfect! I love Paris. It’s the city of romance, but I’m not here for that, I want a job as a P.I. There is only one place to go, because Eugène François Vidocq runs the only P.I. agency in France. In fact, it’s the only private investigation agency in the world. I step into his office and he says, “We don’t need any more secretaries.” At least I think that’s what he said, my high school French is limited. I need my iPhone translator app.

Image source: Mtholyoke.edu

I tell him I’m here for the P.I. job and he does a double take. Vidocq is a master of disguise, so I tell him I’m really a man. He’s impressed, “Unbelievable! Can I take a closer look?”

I back away. He gives me a job anyway. Vidocq is a genius, but a bit of a rogue. OK, more than just a bit. He spent quite a few years in prison, but that didn’t stop him from becoming a plainclothes cop for the Brigade de la Sûreté . He brags about it all the time, how he outsmarted the criminals, and the cops.

He tells me he started his own agency in 1833. The guy has a photographic memory, but he realized that the rest of us don’t have the same abilities. He shows us how to write information on index cards. He also shows me a plaster cast of a shoe, and says he just thought of the idea. It’s going to help him track down a thief by matching the shoe with the cast.

I have to admit, Vidocq is a bit intimidating. He’s a large man, strong and well-built. He likes to drink and hang out with journalists and criminals. His friends call him ‘le Vautrin’ (wild boar).

Vidocq gives me an assignment conducting surveillance on a thief who’s robbing businesses in the area. How am I supposed to get evidence? I don’t have a camera. Another Frenchman, Nicéphore Niépce, took the world’s first photograph in 1825, with a camera obscura, but no one else has that ability yet. This is his photograph:

Image source: Cool.conservation-us.org

It’s hard to keep up in the cobblestone streets. I keep tripping over my long dress. I know what you’re thinking, at least I’m wearing sensible shoes. Female private investigators always wear sensible shoes. You can’t do foot surveillance in a pair of five inch heels. While tailing my subject through the catacombs, I trip over the hem of my outer garment and fall on top of a huge rat. Time to move on.

I set the time machine for 1861, and I’m safely back in the states, well at least as safe as it could be in Chicago, in the 1800′s. I see a sign with a picture of an eye and the words “We never sleep”. Pinkerton’s got some high profile clients, so I guess he knows what he’s doing. He’s been in business since 1850.

There’s a woman working there, and at first I think she’s a secretary, but I find out that Kate Warne is one of the investigators. That is supposed to be her in the photograph, standing behind Pinkerton.

Image source: Ralphdthomas.blogspot.com

I’m impressed. The only other women I’ve seen around here work in stores or stay home and take care of the children. Pinkerton is a bit of a hard ass. He says he won’t tolerate “addiction to drink, smoking, card playing, low dives or … slang.” I should have brought him a copy of a Raymond Chandler novel from cheap car insurance the future.

I ask Alan how he gets his evidence. The cameras I’ve seen are big boxy things with bellows. I don’t think you could get any subject to sit still long enough for the exposure time. He says that his friends in the police department have talked about taking photographs of prisoners, like they are doing in Europe.

Image source: chs.revues.org

I pull a pinhole camera out of my pocket. It’s the size of a car fob. Of course it doesn’t work in the past, and they think I’m some kind of a witch, so there goes my career. Too bad, because they’re working on some secret assignment involving an assassination plot against Lincoln. Kate is part of the team assigned to work on protecting the President-elect.

Think this is all a fantasy? Stephen Hawking doesn’t think so.

Time to go back to the present, but I accidentally set the machine to 1975. Kate would be pleased to find that women are finally making a dent in the male dominated industry. I’m sitting on surveillance, listening to Journey on my 8 Track. My subject is on an insurance claim, but I know he’s faking. I’ve got the photos to prove it. Finally! OK, it’s just black and white stills, but it’s better than nothing.

After work, I’ll take them to the lab, and get the film developed. Meanwhile, I’ve got to make a phone call to the office, but the nearest phone booth is half a mile away. If I leave, I might lose my subject. I’ll finish out the day and then call it quits and drive out of here. The only car I could get on short notice, after dropping in from the future, is a Gremlin. It doesn’t make a good surveillance vehicle.

Back to the future; smart phones, tablets, the Internet, private investigator regulations, video recording devices smaller than the matchbook I picked up in 1975. Back to roomy surveillance vans,

GPS. I could go on forever, but the future is now.

The post Enter the Time Machine: Become a P.I. in the 19th Century appeared first on Sheer Investigations.

ural areas, towns and cities safer places to live. We give thanks to the men and women who are currently working, or have served in law enforcement.

Image source: Facebook.com/NYPD

We take those people who serve and protect for granted. We abuse them, and yet we expect them to be there when we need them. Sure, we’re not happy when a police officer gives us a traffic ticket, but the uniform is the first thing you want to see when your house has been robbed.

From the FBI to local law enforcement, men and women go through extensive training to become America’s finest. They patrol our streets to keep us safe, conduct forensic research, find the truth, and hunt down criminals. They save lives by risking their own. They find your runaway teenager, locate your stolen property, and give advice and solace during times of need. They prevent crimes from happening through education and intervention, promote awareness, and give their time for charitable causes. They have to do the unthinkable; deliver tragic news to families who’s loved ones have been killed in an accident, or by another person.  Behind that uniform is a human being who cares deeply, and wants to make your neighborhood and our country a better place to live.

During Hurricane Sandy the NYPD where there, braving the elements and helping people to safety. If there is any event that proves the dedication of law enforcement and other first responders, it was 9/11. Seventy two peace officers were killed in the line of duty.

Image source: Nycpba.org

The effects of the terrorist acts are still being felt by law enforcement and other emergency responders. Since September 11, 50 officers have died from 9/11 related

illnesses caused by exposure to toxic smoke and other hazards. A long-term study on the health impacts of responders to the World Trade Center attack was released this September by researchers at The Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York. They found that many of the responders to the disaster are suffering from long term physical and mental health problems, including asthma, depression and PTSD.

It isn’t just 9/11 that takes our officers. The FBI recently released their annual report on law enforcement deaths and injuries. During 2011, 72 law enforcement officers were killed in the line of duty in the United States. Read the full report here.

Image source: Fbi.gov

The average age

of the officers killed was 38. Another 53 officers were killed accidentally in the line of duty. There were 54, 774 officers assaulted while on the job.

Those who choose law enforcement for a career aren’t doing it for the money. You can’t pay someone enough to risk their life every day. That is why former police officers, FBI agents and other law enforcement personnel continue working after retirement.

Image source: Palmbeachpolice.com/

We are always pleased and excited when a retiree chooses a second career in private investigation. Our industry can use the training, skill and dedication that these fine people have to offer.

Have a very happy and peaceful Thanksgiving.

The post A Thanksgiving Tribute to the Men and Women of Law Enforcement appeared first on Sheer Investigations.

g in touch with our clients through our cell phones. Many of us will be talking to our relatives who live far away. Have you ever left the house without your cell phone? You feel lost without that connection to the world. The people affected by Hurricane Sandy know all about this.

Image source: Myspace.com

Unfortunately, the technology that allows us to stay in constant touch can also be a way for criminals to take advantage of you. There are a number of ways that a cell phone can introduce crime into your life. The device itself can be stolen or compromised, or the phone can be used by fraudsters sending text messages or making phone calls to scam you out of money. We love our phones, but we often get frustrated by the device. Let’s take a look at the ways that your cell phone can become a liability.

Image source: Kickstarter.com

Stolen Phones

We all want the latest and greatest smartphone. That is why approximately 130 million cell phones are discarded in the United States each year. Someone else wants your phone, and they will try to take it from you if given the chance. A shared database of stolen, or lost phones aims to cut down on cell phone theft. AT&T and T-Mobile, operating on the GSM network have started sharing records on devices reported lost or stolen as of Oct. 31. This will prevent those phones from being reactivated.

Mobile companies Verizon and Sprint, operating on the CDMA network, have agreed to share their data starting this month. According to the FCC, over 40% of all thefts in New York City involve smartphones and other cell phones.

“Food Stamp” Cell Phone Fraud

The latest form of cell phone fraud involves cell phones that are provided to people who are on social assistance. The phones are supposed to be used for finding employment, or for emergencies. Some

people are selling these phones illegally.

You are paying for those phones with your taxes. There is supposed to be a limit of one per household, however it has been found that many people are scamming the system. The FCC has a program starting next year to crack down on this type of fraud.

Subscriber Fraud

Identity theft has far reaching consequences. A criminal who steals your identity can obtain a cell phone in your name and run up a huge bill. You will be on the hook for this, if you don’t take immediate steps to report the theft of your identity.

Tracking and Eavesdropping

There are many software programs available online that can compromise your cell phone. Someone who has access to your phone can install and listen in on your conversations or track your movements. Keep your phone close, and use a good password to protect it.

Text Messages Scammers

Fraudsters are using the same ploys that they use on the Internet to part you from your money. As people become more aware of Internet fraud, such as phishing scams, the criminals are turning to the mobile world to attract their prey.

Image source: Realcleartechnology.com

To learn about more phone scams, check out this article on ScamBusters.

Many people will be purchasing a new cell phone on Black Friday. Make sure that you purchase from a reputable mobile dealer, online store, chain store or electronics store, where your purchase is guaranteed, and you know that you are getting the real thing. When you purchase a new phone, donate your old one. If you are going to discard it, remove all contact information from the phone.

The post Cell Phone Crime: "Call Me Maybe" or Maybe Not appeared first on Sheer Investigations.

u could become the victim of fraud.

Many businesses give gift cards to their employees or clients as gifts. It is embarrassing when your $100 gift turns out to have a balance of $1.49. If you are a business that sells gift cards, you could also become a victim of gift card fraud.

According to the National Retail Federation, approximately 147 million Americans will shop at a retail store, or online this Friday weekend. The NRF also claims that total spending on gift cards will reach over $28 billion.

Why fight the crowds, when you can prop yourself up in a cozy bed and shop online for gift cards? You can also use a card that has been given to you as a gift, to shop online. Unless the giver have been scammed, and that card is worthless. Giving a worthless gift card is like giving someone a counterfeit designer purse, believing it is the real thing.

Image source:Blackweb20.com

We’ve all seen those stacks of gift cards that have become a staple in many retail outlets, from gas stations to department stores. Gift cards are a fantastic solution when you don’t know what to get that hard-to-buy for person. They are convenient, and allow the recipient to choose a gift that suits their lifestyle.

There are two kinds of gift cards. Closed-loop gift cards that can only be used at a certain retailer, or open-loop cards, such as those provided by Visa or Mastercard.

Image source: Theepochtimes.com

Gift cards are usually presented on a revolving rack or wall, allowing easy access. While the cards aren’t activated until you purchase them, scammers have figured out a way to take advantage. Fraudsters record the card numbers and access codes, usually using a handheld scanner.  They repeatedly input those numbers for online purchases, until they get a hit. When a purchase is accepted, it is because you have activated the card, but by now the balance has been depleted.

Last December, New York State Senator Charles Schumer warned the public about gift card scams, and wrote an appeal

to the National Retail Federation and Retail Gift Card Association, urging them to make the cards more secure.

Robert Tie, CFE, CFP, provides another scenario in an article in Fraud Magazine. He writes about an inside job at Sony, where an IT technician in a Sony store figured out how to load money onto gift cards. A savvy clerk in another Sony location realized something was wrong when a man tried to use a couple of Sony gift cards with balances of $5000. She knew that this amount was too high for a gift card. Read the entire article here.

There is a huge business online of people selling gift

cards that they may have purchased, or been given and don’t want. Be extremely careful when purchasing cards on eBay or gift card trading sites. A deal isn’t always a deal. Gift cards can also be stolen, or used by criminals for money laundering.

How do you protect yourself? ScamBusters provides valuable tips on their site. Here are a few suggestions:

• Don’t purchase gift cards from classified ads, online auctions or trading sites.
• Only purchase gift cards from the retail location, or retailer’s website.
• Don’t purchase gift cards from an unattended rack, especially in locations where criminals have easy access.
• Keep your receipt, so you have proof of purchase if anything is wrong with your card.
• Have the card scanned at the point of purchase. This will allow you to verify the balance.
• Check the card for signs of tampering, such as scratching to reveal the PIN number.
• Many gift cards allow you to go online and register your card. Do this as soon as you make a purchase.

Image source: Spendlesstv.com

If you are a retailer, your gift cards could be compromised by an employee.

• Display cards behind the counter.
• CCTV cameras will help determine whether criminals or employees are stealing, or tampering with the cards.
• Place controls on activation, and monitor sales of cards.
• Consult with a private investigation and security agency, such as Sheer Investigations to make sure that you have the best security in place. That plastic is worth a fortune to you and your customers, make sure it keeps its value.

The post The Fraud that can Turn Your Black Friday to Red appeared first on Sheer Investigations.

good is your memory? Do you remember what the barista who served you your morning coffee looked liked? What was her hair color? Was it short and curly, or long and tied in

a ponytail? Now imagine that this woman stole your wallet. Would you be

able to describe her? Eyewitness misidentification, especially in criminal cases, can have serious consequences. Even the tiniest mistake made by a witness can lead to false convictions.

Image source: News.cnet.com

Eyewitness testimony is extremely valuable, but is has proven to be unreliable on many occasions. Last night I watched a TV show, Test Your Brain. The National Geographic production showed how our memories can be faulty, and influenced by outside factors.

Retired NYPD detective Gregory Walsh helped set up a fake robbery in a park and then quizzed witnesses about what they had seen. Very few of the witnesses got it right. The disparity in their descriptions of the event was shocking.

When witnesses overheard others describe the subjects and the event, their memories were influenced by that information.

The sooner a witness is interviewed, the clearer their memory will be. A good investigator knows that eyewitness recounts are often foggy and takes this into consideration when interviewing, or taking a statement from a witness.

Take a look at the composite sketches below.

Image source: Forensicpsychologist.blogspot.com

These are composite drawings of the “Teardrop Rapist” who is believed to be responsible for at least 35 sexual assaults. DNA evidence links 11 of the assaults. He has not been caught. The victims described some similarities, but the differences in their descriptions have made it difficult to bring this person to justice.

Our memories are affected or contaminated by all kinds of things. Neuroscientists have discovered that memories are not stable, and that the more we try to remember an event the less reliable our memory becomes.
According to the Innocence Project, eyewitness misidentification is the single greatest cause of wrongful convictions in the United States, with almost 75% of convictions overturned through DNA testing.

This is one reason that many law enforcement agencies are switching from the traditional simultaneous lineup to a Sequential lineup, using a person or photograph.

Image source: Theconversation.edu.au

The woman in the photograph at the beginning of this post, holding the glass eye, is artist and producer Tanya Vlach. She lost her eye in an automobile accident. She plans to have a video camera installed in her eye socket, giving her a bionic eye.

This is one way to have a reputable eyewitness. We’re not being facetious, the proliferation of smart phones and other devices that capture stills or video show that technology can be a important aid to our memories.We may not remember everything that we observed, but if we captured it on camera, we have visible proof.

Private investigators with a background in law enforcement have experience interviewing witnesses and understand the fallibility of human memory. We understand how to help witnesses remember what they saw, without influencing the direction of their thoughts.

So how is your memory? Would you make a good witness? Take the memory test at testmybrain.org.

The post A Little Mistake With Big Consequences: Eyewitness Misidentification appeared first on Sheer Investigations.

rec

eived those emails or letters. This Spanish Prisoner type scam has been around for hundreds of years and isn’t going to go away.

Image source: Hometownbyhandlebar.com

The original Spanish Prisoner scam took advantage of a person’s trust, and greed. A con artist tells the mark that a wealthy person has been imprisoned under a false identity in Spain. He is trying to raise money to have the man released from prison. Anyone who puts up funds will be substantially rewarded when the wealthy person gets out of prison. In some stories, the

mark would be offered the hand of the prisoner’s daughter, a beautiful woman. The con keeps the scam going by asked for more money, claiming difficulties, until they can’t get anymore money out of the victim.

Image source: Forum.raymond.cc

Who would fall for this? The same people who sent money to Mr. Charles Taylor, or Dr. Seiyefa Obokoro, or Pastor Kothapalli Prabhakara Rao, or Mrs. Patricia Besupa Zatai. The same people who have the same last name as a relative of the scammer, even though your name is Smith. The people who fall for this somehow believe that Beatrice or Patricia can’t collect the 15 million dollars owed to her when her husband was tragically murdered, because of the political situation in her country, and the orphanage that she runs, out of the goodness of her heart, will suffer. You, being “a good Christian who wants to do God’s work” are the chosen one.

Image source: Ghlcoa.org

These scams originate from many countries, not just Nigeria, but the developing country has become infamous for this type of crime. If you are a fraudster, you’re going to go where the money is. Despite all the claims of dead relatives leaving millions of dollars behind, waiting for your help to assist the beneficiary, Nigeria is a poor country. Scammers are going to focus on countries where people have time on their hands to read these letters, disposable income, big hearts, and the naivete that comes from living in a country like ours.

Sure, the letters or emails are fun to read, but we are all bored with that now. Most of these emails go into our spam and we don’t even notice them. Most people know not to send money to these people. Most people, but not all. That is why the scammers keep at it.

Image source: Pacificnorthwestcoastbias.com

Some people decide to fight back and become email Nigerian scam vigilantes. There are a number of sites where people post funny letters that they have sent in response to a 419 scam. They do things like ask the scammer to send a photo holding a sign with something stupid or obscene printed on it. Or they ask the scammer to place a fish on their head. They tell the con that this is how they will know that they are speaking with the right person. They are scamming the scammers, mostly for fun.

It can be funny, but really fraud is not fun. Pulling one over on a criminal may seem like a great way to kill time, but you wouldn’t do that if the person was living in your town or city.

Image source: Nakedsecurity.sophos.com

So many people have clued in, that the scammers have moved on to new ways to get your money. Now they are sending text messages. Forget the dead relatives and their millions, now they are targeting lonely women by offering love. They also post or respond to ads for jobs or other services on Craigslist, and other sites. One type of crime often leads to another. If you interact with these con artists, you may find yourself getting hacked, or become a victim of identity theft.

Scammers from all over the world target the vulnerable and the lonely, especially senior citizens and younger people. Educate your family about fraud. Keep tabs on what your teenagers are doing online, talk to your elderly relatives and ask them to talk to you, before they respond to any online ads.

The post Get the 411 on the 419: Nigerian Scams Aren't Going Away appeared first on Sheer Investigations.

Image source: Radioadelaidebreakfast.wordpress.com

Get in line. Chances are you aren’t the only victim of a financial fraud, especially if it is a form of investment fraud, such as a Ponzi scheme. After an individual has been arrested or convicted of a financial crime, the real work starts.

Asset Forfeiture

Assets that the fraudster has accumulated are forfeited. Tangible assets, such as property, land and possessions can be sold, or auctioned off. Unfortunately, that isn’t usually where the big money is. Much of it has probably been spent, but there are usually assets hidden away.

In the United States, there are criminal and civil forfeitures. If you are a victim of financial fraud, you will need to file a claim in civil court to get your money back. You may be a lone victim, but chances are there are many others. The court will decide who gets paid first. You may feel victimized again, if you aren’t at the top of that list. A lawyer can help you prepare your claim, so you have a better chance of recovering at least a portion of your investment.

Image source: Lakelandboating.xanga.com

Sometimes assets can be frozen before the perpetrator is convicted, so they won’t be aware of what is happening, and there won’t be time to hide all of the assets.

In the Madoff case, The U.S.Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York ordered Madoff to forfeit over $170 billion to settle claims. It was believed that he didn’t actually have that level of assets; however, his spouse, Ruth Madoff agreed to forfeit over $80 million. As of September 30, 2012, The United States Department of Justice for the Southern District of New York and the United States Marshals Service had recovered or entered into agreements to recover almost $9.2 billion.

Does that mean that all of the victims got there money back? No,

these things take years to resolve, and some investors may not get all, or any of their money back.

Image source: Articles.nydailynews.com

Locating Assets

Finding misappropriated assets is a difficult business; your money could be anywhere in the world. With a click of the mouse, an individual can move money all around the world. Certified Fraud Examiners who are experts in forensic accounting and asset recovery can assist you. The sooner the better.

Sometimes you can see where your money went: Like many fraudsters, Madoff lived an extravagant lifestyle. When someone becomes as infamous as Madoff, there is a demand for their personal items, which ironically, is a bonus for those seeking restitution. A pair of Madoff’s monogrammed slippers sold for $6,000 at auction.We don’t understand why anyone would covet an item because it belonged to a criminal, but if the sale benefits the victims, it isn’t all bad.

What about the hidden money? After you file a claim for restitution, it isn’t going to help you if there is no money to be found.

Someone who can pull of a financial fraud has usually figured out how to hide a great deal of that money. A private investigator can assist you with asset searches to help you locate and recover whatever assets are left. Money can be located in offshore accounts, laundered through various banks, property and assets can be transferred to other family members, friends or shell corporations, and cash can also be squirreled away somewhere, such as a safety deposit box.

Asset searches are also often conducted during a divorce, or child support hearing. If you believe that your soon- to- be former spouse is hiding assets, a private investigator can help uncover the hidden money that is half yours.

Sometimes, the fraudster disappears with your money. Hire a private investigator to locate the person and the property.

Image source: Thinking.grant-thornton.co.uk/

Asset Recovery

When assets are located, recovering them can be another issue. If assets are located offshore, or in a foreign country, it may be difficult to get your money, if the country doesn’t have a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty with the U.S.

It is up to you to decide. Locating and retrieving assets can be a lengthy and costly investment. Sometimes there is nothing you can do but move on. It may be too late for you, but the best way to avoid this kind of thing from happening is to be cautious and educated about your investments. Do your due diligence, or better yet, have a private investigator do it for you.

The post Where Is My Money? Asset Tracing and Recovery appeared first on Sheer Investigations.

Image source: Mail.com

Ramon Fonseca, Orlin M. Tamayo Quinonez , and Juan Carralero

This trio of fraudsters allegedly conspired to defraud Medicare out of over $50 million. From approximately 2007 to 2009, they set up over a dozen fake clinics across Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina and South Carolina. The trio used fake I.D.s and bribed doctors to submit false claims to Medicare.

On June 18, 2009, a Federal Grand Jury for the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida, indicted Tamayo Quinonez and Carralero with conspiracy to commit health care fraud. Fonseca was indicted on conspiracy to commit health care fraud, health care fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, money laundering and aggravated identity theft.

Image source: FBI.gov

Patricia S. Saa, AKA: Patricia Stella Saa, Patricia Saa Orellana, Patricia S. Melendez, Patricia Melendez

Patricia S. Saa is wanted for her alleged part in a high-yield securities fraud, operating out of Naples and Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Saa and her co-conspirators, operated Commodities Online, LLC (COL). It was alleged that between January 2010 and April 2011, COL solicited individuals to invest in pre-sold commodities contracts, making false promises regarding returns, and misappropriating funds. COL also made payments and returns to early investors using funds solicited from newer investors, which is technically a Ponzi scheme. Even though it is believed Saa skipped the country in 2010, the company continued to operate and scam over $20 million from people in the U.S., Canada and overseas.

On August 30, 2012, a Federal Grand Jury for the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida charged Saa with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and money laundering. Her co-conspirators were arrested and are waiting for trial.

Image source: FBI.gov

Aubrey Lee Price AKA: Lee Price, Aubrey L. Price

Price is a former director of a Georgia bank, where he embezzled approximately $21 million in a fraudulent investment scheme, using money belonging to the bank’s subsidiary. It is believed that he falsely represented account balances in security accounts to conceal theft of bank funds and trading losses. Price disappeared on June 16, 2012 after telling his family he was going to commit suicide by jumping off a ferry from Key West, Florida. The FBI believes he may have tried to fake his death and take off with the money. Video shows Price boarding a ferry on June 16, 2012. The FBI has offered a reward of

up to $20,000 for information leading to his arrest.

Malczewski was arrested on September 19, 1997, on allegations that she had embezzled a large sum of money when she worked as a bank teller in Arlington, Texas. During the course of the investigation it was learned that she had been suspected of stealing money from a previous bank she worked at in Grand Prairie, Texas. On May 28, 1998, Malczewski was found guilty of bank embezzlement. She failed to show up for sentencing on November 30, 1998.

Image source: FBI.gov

Farhad “Fred” Monem AKA: Fred Monem

Monem was employed as the Food Services Manager for the Oregon Department of Corrections, where he allegedly took illegal kickbacks from food vendors in exchange for granting contracts. The looming prospect of ending up on the other side of the bars didn’t seem to occur to Monem. On October 19, 2007, a federal grand jury in Eugene, Oregon, indicted him on twenty counts, including conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud, bribery, money laundering, and interstate travel in aid of racketeering charges.

Image source: FBI.gov

Frank Bush Amir AKA: Amirmasoud Amirhassani, Amir Masoud Amirhassani, Aliakbar Amirhassani, Aliakbar, Amir Hassani, Amir M. Hassani, Aliakbar Hassani, Ali A. Hassani, Ali A. Amir Hassani, Frank Hassani, Frank B. Amir

Amir was employed as a catering manager at an Illinois hotel where it is alleged he embezzled $500,000, between January of 2000 and October of 2003. Amir was arrested for wire fraud on July 16, 2007, and released on bond. He has disappeared.

Image source: FBI.gov

David Song Sen Cui AKA: David Cui, Song Sen Cui

David Song Sen Cui is another alleged Medicare scammer. He operated a clinic in Doraville, Georgia where it is alleged he defrauded Medicare of over $5.5 million in false claims between November 2008 to August 2011. Cui was indicted by a federal grand jury on eleven counts of health care fraud.

Image source: FBI.gov

Luis Benitez, Carlos Benitez, and Jose Benitez

Here is another trio of fraudsters working the Medicare scam in the Miami-Dade, Florida. It is alleged that the Benitez brothers defrauded Medicare in a multi-million dollar scheme from 2001 through 2004. The brothers ran 11 medical clinics, set up for fraudulent practices.

On May 22, 2008, the Benitez brothers were indicted by a Federal Grand Jury for the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida for conspiracy to defraud the United States, to cause the submission of false claims, and to pay health care kickbacks; conspiracy to commit health care fraud; submission of false claims; money laundering conspiracy; and money laundering.

Image source: FBI.gov

Have you noticed anything about this list? There is a reason that they call Florida the fraud capital of the United States. Medicare fraud, mortgage fraud and insurance fraud are huge problems in Florida. That is why private investigation companies like Sheer Investigations, who have Certified Fraud Examiners on staff, are in such high demand.

The post The FBI’s Most Wanted White-Collar Criminals: Someone Missed the Red Flags appeared first on Sheer Investigations.