Radio Interview with ex-private detective, lawyer from Riga, Latvia

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Detective Latvia interview

Radio Interview Private Detective Latvia | Case Study

Good morning.

Today in the radio program Good Morning our guest is Michael Chernousov, PhD, lawyer, private detective ret. Police ret. Society Baltic Security Chair. Baltic International Academy prof.

Celebrating day of Police we have the interview. You as ex-chief of Criminal Police Moscow District of Riga, Latvia still celebrate the Police Day (Milicija Day).

Having a chance want to congratulate all active and retired officers in the 100 years

commemoration. Agents, undercover agents, police assistance do celebrate the holiday. And indeed the persons that were getting to Police also do celebrate. Almost everyone had been visiting the Police facilities thus the holiday is for everyone.

One or another way every persons  had to deal with police as victim, witnesses or suspects .

You used to be a head of Criminal Police Moscow District of Riga one of the most dangerous districts back then – mid 80’s.

Very active years to remember with colleagues. Since 1991 I became a private detective.

As seservicemen had to obey the orders – we executed the orders. There are lot of media coverage on the situation during the USSR breakdown.

I do not wish to politicise the situation. But it was interesting time back then. There were number of cases.

One of the most serious cases during my career start was the investigation of the murder of 12 y.o. girl in Saulkrasti, Latvia. The murderer Sasha, Alexander. He stabbed the girl with the knife.

He had a series of murders. In the camp in Saulkrasti a murder group had been formed. I was responsible for the criminal investigation.

He lived in Riga, Latvia. During interrogations I, could not understand the psychology of the suspect. Alex used to be a soccer player, he was an informant for the Milicia (Soviet Police), he was married and had a socially active live. He had a small child.

At the day of murder he was laying on the beach and suddenly spotted  a victim. He used a covert methods to hide the crime.

I met with his wife, I talked to the Chiefs of Police, I offered that the murderer would come to us. More then 2 weeks a group of 10 best detectives was working on that case.

During the secuenc of events, I understood that Alex was a person of interest. Further, we resolved the crime.

If the person who killed the child deserved   the mentioning in the media. Do you think that he is still alive. I think that he is not.

You mentioned that is used to be interesting but not anymore, what do you men?

I mean that it used to be an overall “drive” . People used to work not for a money, due to the situation, maybe we used to be young. That was my way Ivan Ivanich, who referenced me. In the 22 High school Riga, movies, that motivated me to get into profession.

My colleagues experienced the same motivation. It was not due to the new flats it was due to the live style and among the colleagues.

You did graduated the Omsk, Russia High School of Police (Омская Высшая Школа Милиции МВД, СССР).  Why in Omsk? It was the only Special School. I tried more then once. From the second attempt I passed.

Have you served in the Army? In the Omsk it was boot – camp. I returned to my motherland – Latvia where I was born.

There were number of “bad – guys”. We did find the common language for the mutual benefits.

OPG – Organised crime has its own specifics . Indeed, there are changes. In mid 90’s there was a joke that “Criminality is striving for the Political Power”.

One of the cases we experienced that  particular of the mobsters was looking for the Political Power. We have apprehended the big boss in Riga at the Main Train Station. He was very curious who “set him up” . He received a 1 years sentence. After one year we met and in my office he asked: who was that beach? Who was that moll?  Who set me up? He did not understand who was the “moll”.  Further, we started to cooperate.

Phone calls… reminder that our guest is Michael Chernousov  Ex – head of Criminal Police Moscow District of Riga, attorney, prof.

Phone call: vary good to hear your voice. Have you had an information on the case of 16th years old slaughter back in 80’s.

Yes, Markovnikov was my boss. It was a very challenging  time.

Why police support crime songs?

Is that due to the crime Romanitcs?

We used to have different equipment, it was our lifestyle. We had mutual respect with “Bad guys”. We used it for the normal cooperation.

You used to be called “Pigs” – (Menti) – was it OK?

I do not recall that it was a widespread nickname. There were  some negative names but it was a mutual respect that was not a priority.

Phone call : Good morning.

A loud case of the murder. I did my job. it was a well known person. Would not like to comment.

After Police you became a detective.

Was it a forced change?

I used to be a young  major of Police. I did quit. The position I was offered was humiliating for me.

After that time I became a private detective. Most of the cases private detectives deal with is due diligence, background check, fraud investigations, missing people.

About 5% of private detective work is adultery, cheating, infidelity investigations.

Have you had an interesting movie like cases?

For more then 20 years we experienced very complicated and interesting  case. Please advise the topic.

We as licensed private detectives are legitimate to participate in the criminal investigations, informing the the Police.

From other side as a lawyer. Not every one is capable to adjust one self for the new duties. That is not a moral issue that is to understand the legitimate thing. That is my choice whether to take the case or not.Lawyers to often to contact me to conduct the investigations.

Phone call: whether the crime have changed over the years.

Crime investigations is not a one time thing that is a process. There were time that some crime groups had influence of the particular sectors.

Nowadays the pattern is slightly different but the idea remains the same , in particularly in Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and former Yugoslavia

Phone call:

Was there a conflict of interest between the Law/ Special Service and Private sector.

Everyone is doing its job. There may not be a cooperation between the private investigators and law enforcement agencies a-priori. Indeed, it  would make more sense to cooperate.

Thank you!

www.mc-advokats.com

Brief translation by Baltic Security.

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Lithuania: car abduction turned into brutal murder of young woman.

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Staged road accident in Lithuania | killed lady

Car abduction as a murder of the young Lithuanian woman.

Blog is commemorated to the abducted and killed young woman  Eva Strazdauskaite.

As was reported by media the girl left Plunge, Lithuania   (Plunge, Lietuva) from her parents towards Vilnius, Lithuania on 5/03/17 evening. Cell phone connection was lost in the Kaunas district. At 1840 the phone was off. Relatives and acquaintances at once started to suspect the girl was abducted. On the night of 6/03/17 victim’s Audi A7 was found in the forest of Zeimiai, LT (Jonava District, Lithuania). On 10/03/17 it was reported the young woman was killed. Her body was found in the Kedainai, Lithuania district.

Police investigated that suspects staged the car accident on the highway and made to halt the Audi A7 driven by Eva Strazdauskaite. Suspects apprehended the female’s car and she was pushed into the trunk of suspect’s BMW. Then the criminals took the girl to the Kėdainiai district and killed her with a shovel. The whole body of the girl – a lot of damage. But most of the blows had to hit the head – head was hit more than ten times.

Police is convinced:  the girl was killed because of the car – Audi A7 (2014 – 2017 model). The suspects wanted to steal and then sell it. Based on the police investigation, the killers intended to get back to the car later, but it  was too late – the police was already by the car.

Until the exact sequence of events is established, it has already become clear why the girl was killed. During the interrogations, suspects Carolis Belyauskas, Liaonas Belyauskas and Mantas Belyauskas admitted that Eva Strazdauskaite could have survived if she had not tried to resist the suspects with active actions and threats.

The suspects stated they did not intend to kill Strazdauskaite, and thought that they would not have problems with the stolen car, but they were enraged by the girl’s words that she would report her abduction to the police and the suspects would have serious problems.

According to the stories of Liaonas and Mantas it becomes clear they decided to kill the girl because she had resisted, although she said,  she would not go to the police. The suspects were frightened that the girl would remember their faces, and later would recognize them and report to law enforcement.

It also became known that on March 5 2017 the brothers watched the victim near Kaunas, but did not think that it would be a girl. Seeing her car, followed her. The girl, realizing that she was being pursued, increased speed. It was not difficult to imitate an accident. When Audi A7 stopped, the men immediately attacked the girl and placed her in the trunk of the car. Her phone was thrown by the men on the road when they were traveling towards Kaunas.

At once after the abduction of female Karolis and Liaonas drove the car of E.S., but Mantas was following them by car that belong to one of the cousins. E.S. spent in the trunk several hours – from the abduction location, suspects drove to Marijampole, LT where their relatives and friends reside. The victim they wanted to dump somewhere at Russian or Polish border. Suspects even drove close to the border, but changed their plans. When they opened the trunk and started to talk to the victim. One of the suspects said that the girl asked her to let go, but hinted that she would not forgive them and report to the police. She also mentioned her friend, who is waiting for her in Vilnius, LT and has already contacted the police. It was after these words that the men decided to get rid of their victim

Baltic Security comments, notes, additions for car abductions: 

After analysis of the available in the national and international media, we would like to add a few words that hopefully would be never used. But more importantly, may save someones live.

Use common sense | Use common sense | Use common sense | Use common sense

Some brief ideas on how to act during the suspicious road situation |traveling by car in any country.

The bellow mentioned is based on green – orange – red level of awareness.

Green – no signs of trouble.

a) Check the surrounding.

a1) Surrounding OK –  car alarm ON.

a2) DO NOT EXIT CAR. Doors LOCKED

a3) Call the police & relatives.

a4) DO NOT EXIT CAR. Doors LOCKED

a5) Check the surrounding.

a6) If common sense | surrounding | police is OK = keep on the line with law enforcement.

Orange – something is NOT right.

b)  Check the surrounding

b1) Surrounding OK –  car alarm ON.

b2) DO NOT EXIT CAR.

b3) Call the police & relatives – cell phone no connection.

b4) DO NOT EXIT CAR. Doors LOCKED

b5) DO NOT EXIT CAR. Doors LOCKED, driver’s window down for 10 cm, keep engine running/ ready to run/ ready to push the throttle.

Red – something is WRONG.

c) Check the surrounding

c1) Surrounding is NOT OK –  Keep CALM

(stay in lane | do not reduce or increase the speed | keep driving )

c2) Call the police & relatives – cell phone no connection.

c3) Do all you can to attract the attention

Do something crazy | Block the traffic | KEEP DRIVING

Red/Black 

SAVE YOUR LIFE.

You are out of the car and things are going bad:

d1) Forget who you are

d2) Behave calm | polite | not aggressive 

d3) Demonstrate weak eyesight 

d4) You DO NOT TALK!!! (murmur)

d5) Agree with everything.

d6) Nod your head, eyes, and body demonstrate devotion.

d7) …see rule #1.

***

1. GPS/Cell/Bluetooth jammers

There was information in the media that killers during the abduction used GPS/Cell/Bluetooth jammers during the crime. We have made our research and may state that jammers are illegal in Baltics. Notwithstanding jammers are illegal in Baltics it can be easily purchased online. Brief research reveals that range of such jammers is rather impressive. Handheld devices apx. 15 m but more expensive more then 150 m! However, we did not encounter massive offers for the Anti – GPS/Cell phone jammers availability or detection products for the general public.

2. Our experience in road staged attempts 

To begin with, we provided investigative services and experienced ourselves attempts of forced car abduction | attempts of road robberies. Thus, we do familiar with the subject matter. But it all was more then 20 years ago – in the “crazy 90’s” in the post-soviet countries. In this century such accidents are not common, especially for small Baltic countries. The worst thing we experienced in the Close Protection:

few beaten faces (friends of the client, they got what they wanted), drug addict knife attack attempt (prevented), face control (not letting the client to enter), drunk surroundings, negotiations with club security, NEVER en route issues.

Story #1 

Back in mid-nineties we were traveling to the Ukraine. The car was equipped with short-range radio (that was working only in Latvia). The car had an antenna that could have been placed on the car roof when needed. In the night, two cars approached on the empty road. It was realized that there is a pursuit. First thing that was done – no signs of concern.  No panic. Two vehicles were following the car for already 15 minutes. Back in year 1994 mobile phones only started to appear thus the car did not have cell phone capacity. When, we started to realize that it is a good time to take action we have placed an antenna to the roof. Within 2-3 minutes both cars, overtook us and we continued the journey.

Summary:

1. Stay calm, do not show the signs of fair.

2. Utilise all you have in order to avoid problems.

Story #2

Two hot-blood well-established entrepreneurs were traveling from Riga, Latvia to the adjacent resort city of Jurmala, Latvia. After successful business deal the businessmen had a fair amount of cash in the car and were going to celebrate the deal. Suddenly, a similar class car (LADA 2107) overtakes them and waving hands orders to stop. Two well-made guys decided to teach the freaks a lesson. They halt the car and 2 on 2 fight starts. What they missed was another car full of gangsters stopped behind them. Both well-made businessmen were severely bitten. Money were stolen.  The smartest move in that case that victims approached us Baltic Security. Thanks to our abilities within the few days all was returned with apologies to the victims.

Car Abduction party was member  of the well organised criminal group from Russia that was traveling Baltics with the purpose of “Hit’n’Run” robberies.

Summary:

  1. Do not overestimate your capabilities.
  2. Never underestimate the counterparty.
  3. Do not hope for the fair fight.
  4. Do not experiment with your connections.
 Refs: www.rus.delfi.lv | local and internatial media | comments
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Process Service by e-mail

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Article by Mark Peachman

I have personally done process service by email on several occasions and see no problem with  it in limited circumstances.

When I’ve done it, it has always been readily  accepted by the Courts. I think the key point is to clearly set out the full circumstances in your proof of service.

As process servers we have a duty to do everything legally possible to bring documentation to the attention of the intended recipient.

Email service would generally be a last resort when all else has failed.

Personally I would never consider it without first making telephone contact with the Respondent/Debtor or other intended recipient. Assuming they confirm their ID, but for whatever reason decline to meet, then ask them if they have an email address. If yes, obtain their confirmation that they are the sole person who has access to the email address.

Verbally advise them of the documentation you have for them, stressing key points, such as hearing details, any deadline or Penal Notice. Tell them that you intend emailing the documents to them and confirm that they are happy to receive in that manner. Request that they should confirm receipt  by email.

Scan the service documentation and attach it to a clear concise email, which refers to your telephone call to them and requests they acknowledge receipt by email. Ensure that the email subject line says something like “Strictly Private & Confidential FAO xxxxxxx only”. Set the email priority as “Highest” and do a read receipt.

If the email acknowledgment doesn’t come through, then phone them again and try to elicit confirmation that they have received and again request a short email confirmation.

Produce a detailed proof of service setting out the full circumstances – attempts to personally serve, the telephone contact, how the email address was secured, subsequent confirmation of receipt etc.

The proof of service should attach printouts of the service email and any email response.

Personally I feel email service only works well if the person you’re trying to serve is cooperating.

I don’t consider myself a process serving expert, but come next May I have been serving documents for 40 years, the first having been a High Court Writ when I was 16! I am a great believer in common-sense and total transparency. Whenever I’ve adopted service methods which could be interpreted as “unorthodox”, I’ve always set out everything in detail in my proof of service. I think that is the key and I’ve never experienced problems with service not being accepted.

Hope that helps.

Kind regards,

Mark

Author and full reference:

Mark Peachman
Communications Officer

The Association of British Investigators Ltd
The Brentano Suite, Catalyst House, Centennial Park, Elstree, WD6 3SY
+44 (0) 20 8191 7500

Published by: Baltic Security

Related:  Private Detective | Process Service
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Lithuanian job: Fraud Investigation in Latvia

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International fraud

Fraud in Latvia by Lithuanian citizen

Man arraigned for $100M Google and Facebook scam.

Fraud Investigation in Latvia | Lithuania perpetrated by a lithuanian citizen. Evaldas Rimasauskas of Lithuania set up a company in Latvia, in the city of Daugavpils, registered company to a residential address, naming it after an Asian computer hardware company with which the two internet giants have accounts.  Rimasauskas then allegedly sent out phishing emails to Google and Facebook, who regularly had multimillion-dollar deals with the Asian company, saying they owed the fake company money. Other sources say these messages – phishing emails i.e. sent from false, but believable looking addresses contained instructions to pay for the supply of  Quanta Computer Inc to accounts already owned by the Latvian company Quanta Computer Inc SIA in Latvian and Cypriot banks.

Already at this stage a simple background check in Latvia and Lithuania might have identified the strong red flag pattern. We always suggest conducting due diligence or a background check before major transactions. Vendor background check | procurement review | investigation in Latvia | Lithuania | Estonia |Greece | Romania | Belarus | Ukraine cost reasonable money but may be very useful in the decision making process.

Background check with on site visit | corporate analysis | risk assessment | red flags identification |  conducted by professional investigators and fraud prevention specialists could have been a much easier solution in this case. Frankly, re-reading the article from various media including US Justice Department and local Latvian and Lithuania media makes us wonder, why no procurement review | why no KYC | why no check your vendor | why no common sense. The answer may be very simple: lack of communication, irresponsible attitude towards job duties and maybe even natural indifference – we call it Ostrich Approach.

When the money arrived in the bogus accounts, Rimasauskas dispersed the funds to other accounts in Latvia, Cyprus, Slovakia, Lithuania, Hungary and Hong Kong, prosecutors said. This went on for two years from 2013 to 2015 and Rimasauskas made $100 million in the process, prosecutors allege.

“At his arraignment Rimasauskas said through a Russian interpreter, “I am not guilty your honor,” but he did not seek bail and will remain in federal custody”.

In the result of  investigation, the 48-year-old is charged with wire fraud, money laundering and aggravated identity theft and faces up to 42 years in prison if convicted on all charges.

Outside of court Rimasauskas’ lawyer, Robert Peabody said, “We will follow the procedural run of the case and make sure he gets a good defense.”

A spokes man for Google said, “We detected this fraud against our vendor management team and promptly alerted the authorities. We recouped the funds and we’re pleased this matter is resolved.” Reps at Facebook declined to comment but they had previously stated they too had recovered the majority of the stolen funds.

Reference: www.nypost.com  www.theguardian.com  www.lsm.lv

Related services: background check | due diligence | risk assessment

 

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Stag Party Security Estonia | Latvia | Lithuania

#6 Stag Party

Baltic Security provides Stag Party Security in Latvia | Lithuania | Estonia | Romania | Ukraine | Hungary. The key points in the stag party safety in Latvia  are taxi charges | b-girls . Often taxi charges x10 times the regular rate. If the client start to hustle the taxi driver, his friends appears from nowhere and a police is being called on the scene. Moreover, we have seen cases that if not our presence the stag party from 10 people might have ended with the very negative sequences.

Stag Party safety in Estonia is especially recommended for the clients not from Northern Europe. Since Tallin is a very popular destination for the guests – stag party guests from Finland and from St. Petersburg, Russia. Very hot combination!

Stag Party safety | VIP Security in Lithuania is offered by Baltic Security. Our private clients are very thankful for the quality of the VIP treatment | Car Service | Mobile response team |not withstanding that dress code of  Vilnius, Lithuania  night clubs may not allow to enter even the VIP.

STAG PARTY SERVICE:  CASE OF LOST – NOT RESPONDING TOURIST IN ESTONIA.

After a nice night out with good food and plenty of alcohol the individual got lost from his friends that were visiting Tallinn, Estonia. Friends got alerted the morning after. Mr. Joe Doe (fictional name) had his cell phone off, did not show up at the hotel, did not make any arrangements, missed the departure. Friends contacted BALTIC SECURITY and we  have initiated an alert thru our well established sources. Within few hours, we got a positive ID of the lost individual, last seen in one of the night clubs, flashing some cash. We received leads on the further investigative events. Luckily, the guest found the way to confirm the well being.

Please note: for the groups of 4+ guests we operate only with an additional VIP Security officer. Baltic Security does not cooperate with any bars, strip clubs or nightclubs. We leave this option to the client, however, dress code and proper behaviour is a must. Even our strong connections will not let the clients to violate the normal internal rules of the establishment.

 

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Medical Insurance Fraud Investigation

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Case study # 2. Medical insurance fraud Investigation

The key point is universal -  to defraud the insurance company and hide back home.

Medical Insurance fraud investigation in Latvia | Lithuania | Estonia | Hungary | Greece |Worldwide

“From our experience in international Insurance Fraud investigations, the key point is universal –  to defraud the insurance company and settle back home for a while” – Baltic Security.

Baltic Security investigates full scope of insurance fraud in Latvia | Lithuania | Estonia. Medical fraud | Vehicle Accident fraud | Workplace injury fraud | Car theft fraud | Arson fraud are among the most popular insurance fraud investigations we have encountered.

“Not every accident is a fraud, but every insurance fraud is an accident”  – Baltic Security. 

Example of Medical Insurance Fraud Investigation in Latvia: Client – Investigative Company from the UK asked Baltic Security for assistance in unclear insurance investigation in Latvia and Lithuania. The objective was to trace the location and provide surveillance of the individual that was suspected to perpetrate a multimillion $ medical insurance fraud in the UK.  Our detectives conducted a background check with source inquiries. Shortly, the individual was allocated and assistance our fraud investigative team with physical surveillance was ordered.

Soon after Baltic Security surveillance unit arrived, a male with similar but not easily recognizable appearance was detected exiting the apartment building. Male was happily walking around and playing with the pet. Notwithstanding the insurance claim of total immobility, the subject’s behavior was different from the anticipation.  Further pieces of evidence of normal physical activity were detected and submitted to the client for further realization.

This case shortly describes a common usage of private investigators in Latvia | Lithuania | Estonia | UK | USA and around the world. Often, the cases are more complex and require in-depth information gathering with the visits to multiple locations. In such complex cases, it is important to follow the correct algorithm in order not to jeopardize the whole operation.

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Vehicle accident insurance fraud

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Case study # 3. Vehicle accident insurance fraud  investigation

Baltic Security assisted the client from Ireland to conduct the insurance fraud investigation in Lithuania. The claim was rather standard: after the accident in the Ireland with the hired car, claimant lost physical abilities and sustained serious health injuries.

We have conducted background check and allocation of the individual who has moved back to Lithuania. Further, we have traced the driving records of the suspect. It was established that not only in the UK the suspect had more than average accidents but also had very constant records of accidents in Lithuania. Further, we have received the confirmation that in most accidents the victim and the suspect knew each other prior. Our findings were provided further for the client for the consideration.

Due to the massive wave of immigration to the UK, Germany, Ireland, other EU countries that followed  EU extensions and especially crisis that took place in the years 2008 – 2010 placed the grounds for insurance fraud perpetrated by the immigrants from Baltic Countries and Eastern Europe.

Western European large insurance payments became a lucrative field for organized crime groups, not to mention a lucrative venture for the migrants with the shady thoughts to bring the knowledge for the insurance fraud from Latvia | Lithuania | Estonia | Romania | Poland etc.

Baltic Security has extensive positive experience in complicated vehicle accident insurance fraud investigations Medical Insurance Fraud and other types of investigations. Baltic Security is the independent privately owned company and we always stay neutral and unbiased.

Related services:  Background check | Fraud investigations  |

 

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Bar Girls Scam in Latvia | Lithuania | Estonia

Bar girls Scam in Latvia Lithuania Estonia

Bar girls Scam in Latvia Lithuania Estonia

Bar – Girls scam aka B – Girls scam in Latvia | Estonia | Lithuania used to be a very popular scam in the recent past. The scam used to be a popular scheme for local bars and strip clubs to get some easy extra cash. In Latvia the biggest surprise was 10,000 USD for a bottle of cheap champagne. However the bar had a wrong person for the victim – it was an official from one of the embassies in Riga, Latvia…

Tallinn | Riga | Vilnius the scheme was one and the same. Nice looking young ladies with perfect English lured foreigners into the bars. After a few drinks, the unsuspected foreigner was getting a bill for several grands for a few drinks.

Bar – Girls scam was one of the main reason for Riga City Council to create a special unit within the municipal police: Riga Tourist Municipal Police.

” Riga Municipal Police has a specialised Tourist Unit, which ensures public order, as well as provides information to foreign visitors about the opportunity for assistance in case of incidents like theft, lost property and fraud. A 24-hour information Hotline +371 67181818 has been introduced for foreign nationals. Information is provided in Latvian, Russian, and English.” – rpp.riga.lv

Online source to check for video from Riga Police:  https://www.facebook.com/RigasPP

Similar is available from Tallinn and Vilnius.

Notwithstanding the general improvement of the situation in Baltics and Bar – Girls scam in Latvia | Estonia and Lithunia are stronger supervised, we advise clients to use common sense and general safety standards.

Things to watch for such: taxi drivers | use only well known companies | always make an order thru call center, Taxify or Uber. Picking up a cab from the street may turn out in charges that are  x10 times the normal rate and unnecessary issues with law enforcement or other cab drivers.

Unauthorized credit card charges | provocations from the local or not local people | public safety has always be remembered.

For the client’s convenience, we offer Safety – Driver bodyguard in Estonia | Lithuania | Latvia | Hungary | Romania | Ukraine.  Driver – bodyguard is appropriate for the stag parties or simply for the piece of mind for private visits. Mobile response team in case of emergency is a compliment hiring a Driver Bodyguard.

Related services: Close Protection

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ACFE European Fraud Conference 2012 Summary

European Fraud conference with the representatives from 34 countries including Latvia, Belgium, Holland, Nigeria, India, Poland, Latvia, USA, UK, Ukraine, Russia etc. were sharing experience on fraud prevention, detection, and investigations worldwide.

Some Highlights of Vladislav Chernousov presentation:

Detection and investigation of Corporate Fraud in Eastern Europe has to be taken considering the cultural specifications and local legislation. Each instance of potential signs of fraud has to be investigated separately and no universal approach on fraud elimination shall be applied.

Brief history of the development of Eastern European and Baltic countries within the last 20 years. Some most common examples of corporate fraud and due diligence investigations in Latvia | Lithuania | Estonia  daughter companies or branches of the foreign companies. The dilemma: whether  to conduct complex fraud investigation which may lead to unnecessary public attention.

Ostrich approach – often executives and directors completely unaware of the fraud that is taking place at their companies. When first signs of fraud are detected it is crucial to apply appropriate measures to reduce or eliminate fraudulent activity and investigate if necessary. The effective investigation shall be conducted by the professionals.

Wanna Be Wife scam has been actively developing since EU expansion since year 2004. Well organized groups often closely connected to money launderers and criminals, supply models to clubs. Ladies pretend to fall in love with the wealthy individuals. First meeting with the client typical happened at the night clubs or Bars. Typically, models were acting naturally as B-girls. The final objective of the scam closely supervised by the superiors, to get as much money as possible from wealthy foreigners. When the client starts to get stubborn or has no more money to pay, the supervisors apply delicate removal of the wanna be wive from the project, by a third person that may play role either as a boyfriend, brother or another relative. 

European Fraud Do and don’ts of the fraud prevention policies in the effective corporate environment.  Case study of the actual fraud investigation that was taking place at the industrial facility in Estonia.

Abstract

Along the technical progress and economic development, the scale of fraudulent activity in the corporate environment is increasing. In order to effectively minimize losses and harm from such activity and prevention techniques shall be utilized and carefully applied where necessary. Highlights of fraud investigations in Latvia | Lithuania |Estonia  i.e. Baltic region as a vital intersection point between East and West are used.

Fraud prevention policies that are used by the large companies often touch very sensitive issues such as employee trust. From one side it is important that employees feel that their employer rely on them and their actions. Complaints due to the personal dislikes and other undeveloped actions may destroy the environment of trust. However, from another perspective, everyone including employees and board members must understand that fraud is being considered seriously and violators will be punished.
Detecting and investigating signs of fraudulent activity shall never be overestimated or taken too superficially. For instance, one has always remember about the impact on the corporate reputation and internal environment of putting the wrong person under investigation.

Abstract of the presentation that Mr. Vladislav Chernousov, CEO of Baltic Security was selected to present at 2012 ACFE European Fraud Conference.

Tags:  fraud investigations | due diligence | B-girls

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Rule of Five W.E. – Elements of Success in Covert Surveillance Operations

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Covert surveillance is one of the ancient methods that is still widely used by private detectives | fraud investigators in Latvia | Lithuania | Estonia | Greece | Ukraine | Russia | Slovakia | Czech | Romania | Spain  etc. With the proper approach, it may be very effective tool in most types of investigations. Even nowadays, covert physical observation missions, including those a the international scale, may be very effective tool in various types of corporate fraud | internal advisory | insurance fraud investigations. From the most simple such as commonly known matrimonial investigations to sophisticated cases of commercial intelligence.

The mere surveillance, without diligently gathered and supplied to surveillance operator intelligence, from the highly effective may be downgraded to useless. There are no universal methods,  each case has its own peculiarities. Baltic Security decided to highlight the core principles that are crucial for successful covert surveillance in Baltics and Worldwide.

There are various strategies that are widely used in the market of private investigations not only in Latvia | Lithuania | Estonia but internationally. For example:

– Some companies utilize strategy that surveillance operation may be easily done by one person in the foreign country;
– Meantime, there are those that for a relatively easy task must deploy a dozen of agents, helicopter and airplane;
– Some clients influenced by spy movies are confident that there is nothing simpler than to enter secured private property and install a hidden cameras and microphones while group of people is having dinner in the next room.

Fortunately, there are detective agencies and clients who realistically view the difficulty level of the task and are able to provide the best level for the reasonable – although not cheap price. One of such, is detective agency Baltic Security that covers Riga | Vilnius | Tallinn | Worldwide.

Baltic Security team decides to invent the Rule of FIVE W.E. 

We have not invented the bicycle we simply summarized our observations – Baltic Security. 

Rule of 5 WE is designed to ease the understanding of the task and expectations of the client. It is aimed that only with the participation of both parties WE are able to achieve the results.

Client: “5 W”
– Who (detailed description);
– With whom (other known parties);
– Where (all known places);
– Why (job is needed);
– What (final objective).

Baltic Security: “5 E”
– Estimate (cost);
– Evaluate (possibility);
– Empower (sources);
– Ensure (quality);
– Execute (order).

Thus, WE achieve quality results. If any part is missing, the chances of success is close to nothing.

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