Fraud and swindle are nearly synonyms. Although both words are popularly regarded as deception, fraud literally means ‘falsification of records’. Fraud investigation can be extremely difficult for inexperienced people. Especially because working according to a certain procedure, knowing what to look for, and having or getting access to files (information) that are not easily obtained or comprehended.
The first step is defining the legal boundaries to determine the right approach and get the right information.
Types of fraud, swindle or scams
Infinite Risks is experienced in helping victims with different types of fraud and scams, including for example:
- Residential fraud: a tenant is subletting or using your property for purposes other than those stipulated in the contract.
- Property fraud: this can entail illegal letting or victims who are pressured to rent out to certain parties. In addition, it can refer to the refurbishment and sale of premises with criminal money for money laundering.
- Insurance fraud: an applicant provides an incorrect account of the facts or an insured person wrongfully claims damage or loss.
- Administrative fraud: an employee, volunteer, or other administrator abuses his position to perpetrate fraud in an organization.
- Advertising or acquisition fraud: a way to raise money without providing any or adequate service. This fraud also includes ghost invoices.
- Bankruptcy fraud: there are two ways. A company is set up to get paid for services or goods not delivered, or the aim is to bankrupt a legal or natural person to secure assets and rid oneself of debts.
- Bank fraud or payment fraud: criminals use someone else’s account to transfer money abroad or withdraw cash.
- Digital fraud or internet scams: all forms of deception that take place digitally. Think of phishing e-mails and phishing messages, scams via WhatsApp (where criminals pretend to be family members and ask for money via a payment request), but also scams via (e.g.) Craig’s List and fake shops on Facebook and Instagram.
- Benefit fraud or welfare fraud: obtaining or retaining a benefit or welfare by representing an incorrect situation.
- Mortgage fraud: often in combination with identity fraud to obtain a mortgage based on illegal documents.
- Healthcare fraud: charging for a medical treatment that has not been carried out or misusing personal benefits.
- Identity fraud: criminals pretend to be someone else online (on (online) market places, dating sites, etc.) or apply for a bank account or credit card. Forging identity cards and papers also falls under identity fraud.
- Dating fraud: the perpetrator enters into a relationship to extort for money.
The right steps to a solution with fraud investigation
Often, the two main motives are: unmasking the perpetrator to confront him or her and finding evidence for the police report or insurance. In both cases, we help you in taking the right steps. We first carefully analyze your situation. Then, we use various fraud investigation methods to realize your goal, including:
- Locating and securing documents, data, files, and devices such as computers, telephones, and navigation systems
- Analyzing documents, data, and files
- Tracking and tracing of suspicious persons
- Tracking payment transactions or reconstructing a situation
- Installing tracking and observation devices (cameras, GPS tracking, etc.)
- Conducting interviews
- Conducting covert surveillance
- Neighborhood survey
We can help you
We deliberately describe some examples, but it is impossible to list all types of fraud or scams here. Your specific situation may not be mentioned above. This does not mean that we cannot help you. Call or e-mail us and explain your situation to us without obligation. We are happy to help you.
