COVER STORY:
IDENTITY THEFT AND SLIT RINGS
An Unrecognized Cancer on Society
By Bruno Pavlicek
An analysis of what investigators need to know about the source of identity
theft, a silent and almost perfect crime run by domestic organized crime clusters
which must be reckoned with. This article profiles the roles within the SLIT
ring division of labor from the street level identity thieves to the ring leader.
Excerpt: Identity theft, as we
are all now aware, is a growth industry. Law enforcement agencies nationwide,
from local to state police departments, as well as federal agencies are inundated
with reports from victims on a daily basis. Recent statistics for instance
show that in 2004, 9.3 million people were reported as having suffered from
identity theft (Bob Sullivan, 2005). Yet, despite our awareness, identity theft
remains the “silent” and almost perfect crime.
While many articles and books have focused upon preventive measures,
there exists no source of literature or true discussion centered upon the source
of the problem.....
FEATURES:
FORENSIC METEOROLOGY:
Answering the Weather Question
By Jane Cracraft, Associate Editor
How investigators can research and examine the weather-related component of an
accident or crime on their own and how to turn to forensic meteorologists for
more specific answers.
Excerpt: At many accident scenes — and
some crime scenes — weather factors provide a key part of the answer to
What Happened and Why? Did a strong cross wind cause a semi-truck to swerve and
jackknife? Was there a build up of ice on a sidewalk after a day of thawing and
freezing? What was the heat index at the time an apparent heat-related death
occurred?
To examine the weather component of an accident or crime, investigators
can do some research on their own.
To begin...
COUNTERFEITING OF GOODS
The Risks and Links to Terrorist Funding
By Jeffrey A. Williiams, CPP
Terrorist groups are counterfeiting goods as the preferred method of a reliable,
low key source of funding.
Excerpt: In a statement before the House Committee on International
Relations in the U.S. Congress on July 16, 2003, Mr. Ronald K. Noble, Secretary
General for Interpol, sounded the alarm that intellectual property crime (IPC)
is becoming the preferred method of funding for a number of terrorist groups.
The International Anti-Counterfeiting Coalition (IACC) agrees that
terrorist organizations are using the sale of fake goods to raise and launder
money. They specifically state that, “Recovered al-Qaeda terrorist training
manuals have revealed that the organization recommends the sale of fake goods
as one means to raise funds to support terrorist operations,” as it is
a low risk, high
profit crime....
“WHO AM I”
Investigating Identity Theft
By Don C. Johnson, Editor, PI Magazine
A look at the FTC’s to fight against identity theft, investigators’ role
and NCISS’ fraud summit.
Excerpt: Millions of Americans
have reason perhaps to wonder just who they are, really, when it seems all
too easy for someone else to assume their identities. Identity theft certainly
costs the victims a good deal of money, time and aggravation,
but it also places a serious financial drain on our economy.
A 2003 survey conducted by the Federal Trade Commission identified
9.9 million cases of identity fraud at a cost of $51.4 billion
to America’s businesses. The FTC’s figures were supported....
DEPARTMENTS:
INSURANCE INVESTIGATION REPORT WRITING
Helpful Hints From the Case Files
Daniel W. Draz, CFE, Associate Editor
Hints on how to generate a quality report in a timely manner, distinguishing
you from the rest of the pack.
Excerpt: Over the last five years, I’ve seen
thousands of reports from investigators around the country. Some are
far superior to others. One of the factors that distinguish excellent
investigators from the rest of the pack is their ability to generate
a quality report in a timely manner. So, what constitutes a quality
report? Actually, that depends on your clients...
HEADLINE:
How to Improve - Instantly - All of Your Marketing Materials
By Tony Rubleski
The various types of headlines and how to properly write the critical secret
for advertising success.
Excerpt: I’m going to share with you a secret
that top advertising and direct marketers use to make the ads, and
how the marketing pieces they create generate attention and results.
What is this critical secret for advertising success? The headline.
Think of the headline as an ad for an ad...
BUSINESS METRICS:
You Can’t Manage it if You Can’t Measure it
By Michael Alter
By monitoring a few key business metrics, you can quickly get a handle on your
business and start on the path to improving your profitability.
Excerpt: They say what you don’t know won’t
hurt you, but nothing could be further from the truth when you run
a small business.
If you operate based on “gut instinct,” or you make assumptions
on how your business is performing without knowing the facts, you can run into
problems quickly.
Fortunately, there is a simple solution. By monitoring a few key
business metrics, you can quickly get a handle on your business and start on
the path to improving your profitability...
INVESTIGATOR TRAINING COMES OF AGE
Creating the Professional, One Person at a Time
By Kitty Hailey, CLI, CFE
The next generation of investigative training is a uniquely well-organized
college level program for the aspiring private investigator.
Excerpt: How do you become a professional investigator?
What must you know to work in the field of security management? What
college level courses are vital to your future in either profession?
Investigator training has come of age with the inception of a uniquely
well-organized college level program for the aspiring private investigator...
ALL ABOARD THE ICEROCKET.COM
By Cynthia Hetherington
A look at the advantages and advanced search features of a new search engine
from an “investigators” point of view.
Excerpt: We have spotted a new engine on the web
and are excited to share it with you. ICEROCKET.com is the latest
in search tools...
A CASE STUDY:
“WHEN THE EVIDENCE SPEAKS”
By Gregg Stutchman and Steve Buller
Lessons learned from a real-life case on the importance of correctly using
technology as evidence at trial.
Excerpt: Rarely are readers riveted by an article
filled with dry technical information, but most people love a good
story. For that reason, I am weaving technical data through the following
story. The case ended for me in February of 2004 after my testimony
in a southern California court. I have been given permission to share
it...
SURVEILLANCE TIPS
By Keith Norman
Tips from an experienced investigator that will help anyone conducting surveillance.
Excerpt: Do your homework before the assignment. Run
enough database searches to know the subject’s background (criminal,
civil), physical description, and any possible vehicles that he or
she may drive. If your subject has
GADGETS, GIMMICKS & TRICKS OF THE TRADE
By Julius “Buddy” Bombet, Associate Editor, PI Magazine
New technology, equipment and advice that every PI should know.
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