Fraud Zones
Wymoo® International is a full service investigation firm offering private investigation services in over 100 countries worldwide. As part of our global coverage, Wymoo specializes in regions with high fraud and scam risk. Below are nations with a moderate to high fraud risk. Consumers and organizations should exercise extra caution prior to engaging in business or personal relationships in these nations. Wymoo conducts background screening, surveillance, missing person searches, private investigations, criminal cases, due diligence and more. Get a free quote today.
Nigeria - High Risk
Nigeria remains one of the largest fraud and scam operations in the world. New tactics by criminals in Nigeria are increasingly sophisticated, and victims range from individuals, to investors, to multi-national corporations. New system technology allows Nigerian criminals to hide their true location, masking their IP address and using non-Nigeria phone numbers and addresses.
Common Fraud:
Advance fee fraud, dating scams, dating fraud, inheritance scams, online dating scams, business fraud, investment scams, charity and employment fraud
Areas of Concern:
Lagos, Abuja, Nationwide
Recommendation:
Nigeria background check, due diligence by Nigeria investigator to avoid fraud.
Wymoo Field Investigators:
Lagos, Nigeria
Ghana - High Risk
Ghana is rapidly becoming a world leader for fraud and online scams. The criminals here have quickly modeled their approach after scams in Nigeria. Many criminals operating in Ghana are from Nigeria, and most West Africa nations are high risk countries.
Common Fraud:
Advance fee fraud, dating scams, dating fraud, inheritance scams, online dating scams, business fraud, investment scams, charity and non-profit fraud
Areas of Concern:
Accra, Nationwide
Recommendation:
Ghana background check, due diligence by Ghana investigator to avoid fraud.
Wymoo Field Investigators:
Accra, Ghana
Benin - Moderate Risk
Benin is an emerging market for fraud, with most cases originating in Cotonou, Benin. Consumers and businesses should exercise utmost caution in any relationship with subjects from Benin, West Africa.
Common Fraud:
Advance fee fraud, dating scams, dating fraud, inheritance scams, online dating scams, investment and non-profit.
Areas of Concern:
Cotonou, Nationwide
Recommendation:
Benin background check by Benin investigator for unknown subjects.
Wymoo Field Investigators:
Cotonou, Benin
Ivory Coast – Moderate Risk
The Ivory Coast is an emerging market for fraud and scams, much like Benin. All relationships here should be verified.
Common Fraud:
Advance fee, dating fraud, business fraud, inheritance, dating scams
Recommendation:
Ivory Coast background check by Ivory Coast investigator prior to engaging with unknown subjects due to high risk for scams.
Field Investigators: Yamoussoukro
AFRICA
South Africa – Moderate Risk
South Africa is by most measures the most advanced and developed nation in the continent of Africa, and the nation continues to develop and modernize. As a result, cases involving fraud and scams have actually decreased in recent years, moving South Africa from a high risk nation to a moderate risk ranking. Caution is still advised.
Common Fraud:
Advance fee fraud, lottery, phishing fraud, inheritance scams, online dating scams, business and investment fraud.
Areas of Concern:
Johannesburg, Nationwide
Recommendation:
South Africa background check or due diligence investigation, by Wymoo local professional field investigators.
Wymoo Field Investigators:
Johannesburg and Cape Town
Russia - High Risk
Russia is a high risk nation for fraud and scams. Business fraud is a problem here, as well as the high risk for bride scams and online dating fraud. All relationships should be verified by an investigator.
Common Fraud:
Advance fee fraud, dating fraud, business fraud, online dating and bride scams
Areas of Concern:
Nationwide
Recommendation:
Russia background check or due diligence by Russia investigator for all subjects
Wymoo Field Investigators:
Moscow, St. Petersburg
Ukraine - High Risk
The Ukraine is a high risk nation for fraud and scams, many of which are modeled after romance fraud operations in Russia.
Common Fraud:
Advance fee fraud, dating fraud, business fraud, online dating and bride scams
Areas of Concern:
Kiev, Nationwide
Recommendation:
Ukraine background check by Ukraine investigator for all unknown parties
Wymoo Field Investigators:
Kiev, Ukraine
EUROPE
United Kingdom - Moderate Risk
The U.K. has experienced a sharp rise in online dating scams and advance fee fraud cases in recent years, moving the nation from a low risk to moderate risk nation. Many criminal operations here have connections with Nigerian immigrants, as the U.K. struggles to control illegal immigration. Furthermore, many Africa based scam operations now involve the U.K. in order to gain trust with internet victims.
Common Fraud:
Advance fee fraud, dating scams and fraud, business fraud, identity theft, lottery and inheritance scams
Areas of Concern:
London
Recommendation:
UK background check or due diligence for cases involving internet relationships.
Wymoo Field Investigators:
London, Dublin and Edinburgh
LATIN AMERICA
Mexico - Moderate Risk
Mexico is a developing nation with moderate to high levels of fraud, with widespread corruption throughout all levels of society. Police and government are among the most corrupt in the world, hindering economic progress. Special caution is advised for Mexico City, the highest risk area.
Common Fraud:
Advance fee fraud, business fraud
Recommendation:
Mexico background check or due diligence prior to engaging with unknown parties.
Wymoo Field Investigators:
Mexico City
Colombia - Moderate Risk
Colombia continues to develop and fraud levels are actually decreasing. Online dating scams, internet fraud, bride scams and infidelity are widespread, however.
Recommendation:
Colombia background check or due diligence by Colombia private investigator prior to engaging with unknown parties.
Wymoo Field Investigators:
Bogota, Cali, Medellin, Cartagena
Brazil - Moderate Risk
Brazil is a developing nation with moderate fraud and scam levels. Areas of fraud are primarily in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo area. Risk is moderate for business fraud and dating scams. Caution advised.
Recommendation:
Brazil background check or due diligence by Brazil investigator for all new relations.
Philippines - High Risk
The Philippines remains one of the highest risk countries in the world for relationship fraud and romance scams. Online dating scams, infidelity, and marriage fraud in this nation remain at very high levels.
Common Fraud:
Advance fee fraud, dating fraud, online dating, marriage fraud, and bride scams
Areas of Concern:
Nationwide
Recommendation:
Philippines background check by Philippines investigator for unknown entities and individuals. Surveillance to verify identity for relationships begun via the internet.
Wymoo Field Investigators:
Manila, Quezon City, Cebu, Davao
China - Moderate Risk
China continues to struggle with its over-population, exploding economy and high levels of fraud and corruption.
Common Fraud:
Business fraud, employment fraud
Areas of Concern:
Beijing, Shanghai
Recommendation:
China background check or due diligence by China investigator for uknown subjects due to high risk for business fraud.
Wymoo Field Investigators:
Beijing, Shanghai
Malaysia - Moderate Risk
Malaysia is an emerging market for internet fraud. Most cases originate in Kuala Lumpur or the surrounding area.
Common Fraud:
Advance fee fraud, business fraud
Areas of Concern:
Kuala Lumpur
Recommendation:
Malaysia background check or due diligence by Malaysia investigator for all subjects due to increasing risk for scams.
Wymoo Field Investigators:
Kuala Lumpur
Thailand - Moderate Risk
Thailand remains a moderate risk country in the world for relationship fraud. Online dating scams, infidelity, and marriage fraud here is moderate to high risk.
Common Fraud:
Advance fee fraud, dating fraud, online dating, marriage fraud, and bride scams
Areas of Concern:
Nationwide
Recommendation:
Thailand background check by Thailand investigator for all unknown subjects. Surveillance to verify identity for existing relationships begun via the Internet.
Wymoo Field Investigators:
Bangkok, Phuket
Singapore & Hong Kong- Moderate Risk
Singapore is one of the most developed and modern countries in the world, with a strict rule of law. However, fraud and scam cases here are on the rise, which mostly involve scam cases by female illegal immigrants or overseas workers from countries like the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
Hong Kong is slightly lower risk and is also directly related to immigrants.
Cases in both countries often involve elaborate romance or marriage scams by young females working illegally in the country, who are often engaged in some form of prostitution and/or seeking pure financial gain from foriegn men on business trips or met via the internet.
Recommendation:
Discreet Singapore investigator or surveillance or Hong Kong investigation or surveillance to verify female subjects.
Wymoo Field Investigators:
Singapore and Hong Kong
Information in this report is updated each January and reflects the current opinions of professional field investigators located in each country, as well as on historical case loads by Wymoo International, LLC and its affiliates.
