Emergence of Covid 19 related fraud
Private investigation firms have seen an increase in fraud cases in recent years, but what’s more noticeable is that it appears to be spreading, with many new types of fraud in times of Covid targeting a diverse range of people, including children. Some of the most recent types of Covid fraud are extremely inventive and well-organized.
Professionals are warning people to be wary of charities requesting funds for victims, goods, or experiments that are not approved or legitimate. More so, keep an eye on Coronavirus-themed emails or text messages, who are attempting to persuade you to install malicious COVID-19 notification applications, open malicious attachments, or even expose confidential personal and financial information.
Many victims have come forward to tell their stories. Criminals using your identity to sign up for CERB and collect fees, or questionable third-party firms offering to help you fill out applications, such as CERB. Some people have also received spoof calls requesting information from the government, healthcare, or researchers. Not to mention the vexing weekly calls from someone claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service, who claims to have a warrant out for your arrest!
No one is safe from fraud in times of Covid 19
These criminals also prey on children. They gain their trust and gain access to their accounts, stealing personal information and data from their computers and phones. As a result of the realities of Covid, which include children studying from home and doing class via computer, parents must keep a closer eye on their children and their actions on social media and electronics to prevent fraud in times of Covid 19 as much as possible.
The elderly are no exception; their children or caregivers must go above and beyond to educate them about various types of fraud, keep them informed, and, if they are unable to assist them, refer them to a specialist.
Victim of fraud? What to do
The websites of many police departments contain a wealth of information that informs the public about what they can do. SPVM, for example, has done an excellent job of educating the public about various types of fraud, how to avoid them, and what to do if it happens to you on their website. Most police departments have a special fraud section that encourages victims to report any fraud, no matter how minor or major the scale. While some victims may find it humiliating to report the incident to law enforcement, it is still necessary to do so so that the public is aware of the incident and law enforcement has a record of it.
Reporting a fraud
While your local police department is responsible for investigating, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) assists law enforcement by maintaining a central repository of information to aid investigations. So, if you’ve been a victim of a scam, fraud, or cybercrime, the first thing you should do is contact the local authorities. And, whether you are a victim or not, if you want to report a scam, abuse, or cybercrime, file a complaint with the CAFC.
The CAFC is a government agency that collects information about fraud and identity theft. It is a very useful website that provides information on past and current scams that have affected Canadians. To contact them, dial 1-888-495-8501 or visit their website.
Investigating fraud in times of Covid 19
When we investigate these crimes, we discover that the vast majority of them are committed on a global scale by someone or a ring of criminals operating outside of the country. The main problem is that anyone, anywhere with a computer and a phone could do it. And, while the victim may believe it is a single person, it is usually a well-organized group of people from all over the world working together to commit a highly profitable crime.
And, as much as the police want to solve these crimes, there are so many that the victims must accept the fact that there is currently insufficient manpower in the law enforcement sector to do so. Furthermore, the fact that these criminals operate all over the world exacerbates the problem, as do the fact that laws do not apply uniformly everywhere, making apprehending these con artists difficult, if not impossible, in many cases.
Limitation in the fraud investigations
As a result of their feelings of helplessness and humiliation, victims may isolate themselves from family and friends and even succumb to depression*. When victims believe they have no other option, they frequently contact private investigators. They believe law enforcement is stalling their case, and they are eager to reclaim what they’ve lost, apprehend the suspect, and reclaim some control over their lives. The fraud victim is then confronted with the reality of having to pay a private firm to investigate the situation out of pocket, which not everyone can afford or is willing to do, especially when being a victim of fraud in times of Covid 19.
As private investigators and industry experts, we must be open and honest with our clients about what is and is not feasible. Giving them false hope is unethical. The private investigation firm must consider the type of crime, evaluate the feasibility of the investigation, and notify the client as soon as possible.
Private investigators to assist in fraud investigations?
There are numerous legislative and regulatory requirements that govern the professional investigation industry, and many investigation firms are members of professional investigation associations across the country, which not only protect their members’ rights but also ensure that company executives and private investigators act ethically and legally. The Canadian Association of
Professional Investigators (CAPI) brings together private investigators and their associations from across Canada, including the APEPQ (Association des Enquêteurs Privés du Québec) from Quebec.
Bill C-11, a proposed federal bill, and Bill 64, a Quebec bill, both of which could have an impact on the data processing practices of the private investigation industry, are being closely monitored by our industry. At the same time, we’re investigating the possibility of law enforcement delegating additional fraud investigations to private investigators.
During the public hearings in Quebec regarding the changes in policing, many security actors, including the Association of Quebec Police Directors, spoke out in favor of improved cooperation with the private sector, particularly in the area of fraud. We’re looking forward to seeing what reforms are put in place and how they affect the fight against fraud.
Prevention is key
Whatever the cause of the increase in fraud, whether it is widespread use of social media, the internet, global reach, a pandemic, isolation, alienation, or a lack of technological awareness, our culture and industries must adapt to the new realities. We can expect a whole new level of fraud in that environment as cryptocurrencies gain popularity and the general public joins in on the hysteria.
The most important aspect, at the end of the day, is prevention. Keep an eye out for different types of possible fraud, avoid posting personal information on social media, and ask your friends and family if you have any questions. Finally, consult with a cybersecurity expert to learn how to protect your devices, files, and identity.
Seeking assistance
If you have been a victim of fraud in times of Covid 19 and you decide to hire a private investigator, make sure to check their credentials and expertise, and set reasonable expectations. Remember that it can happen to anyone at any time, but you are not alone and have a wealth of resources available to you.
* Declining rates of mental health have been a major side-effect of the pandemic. Now, some scammers have been taking advantage of the most vulnerable in society. According to statistics, the number of people experiencing depression has nearly doubled since the coronavirus pandemic began. Loneliness, anxiety, and fear all have an impact on mental health and have become more prevalent in all age groups, from children to the elderly. A new study has found that scammers eager to take advantage of society’s most vulnerable are exacerbating the problem. See article