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WHEN YOU JUST HAVE TO HAVE THE BLING!

3/26/2022

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HP victim of embezzlement Colorado Springs Private Investigation
I often point out, in writings and speeches, that small businesses really need to be on the lookout for employee theft and/or embezzlement. A recent case proves that large companies can also be victims as well. A former Hewlett-Packard executive pled guilty Wednesday to stealing nearly $5 million from the tech giant. She admitted to using company credit cards to buy luxury cars, designer bags and expensive jewelry.

Shelbee Szeto pled guilty to wire fraud, money laundering and filing false tax returns, and admitted in court that she used her position as an executive assistant and finance planning manager to defraud HP out of $4.8 million. Szeto was accused of using commercial credit cards to wire money to herself through various Square, Paypal and Stripe accounts.

As part of her position at HP, she was issued a variety of credit cards for business expenses and allegedly used an American Express card to transfer hundreds of thousands of dollars to false merchant accounts that she alone controlled. 

Some of the items she ended up forfeiting in her plea deal include things such as a 2020 Tesla, a 2021 Porsche, Dior, Gucci, Hermes and Chanel bags and purses, and almost 100 pieces of assorted jewelry. 

A bank employee with First Republic Bank actually questioned her about the source of all her stolen funds which she falsely represented to that employee that it was legitimate business income from her work as a "consultant". 

The subject is scheduled for sentencing on July 20 of this year.

I constantly caution our clients that they need to always be vigilant when it comes to who in their companies/organizations have financial control in whatever form that takes. We're happy to answer any questions any Colorado company, or from any state for that matter, may have about safeguards to put in place so you don't become a victim of employee/theft embezzlement. Our Colorado Springs-based private investigators cover the state of Colorado and are happy to discuss any potential case you may have.

Lee Walters
President
​EXCALIBUR Private Investigation
​Serving all of Colorado and beyond
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PART VI: REAL ESTATE SCAMS

3/11/2022

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Real estate scams investigated by Colorado Springs private investigator
In our newest post on scams, some sobering statistics from the FBI in regards to real estate fraud:

Total financial loss in 2020: $213,196,082

Total United States victims in 2020: 13,638

Yes, you're reading those numbers right. Over $213 million lost to real estate scams in 2020 alone with over 13,500 victims. What type of real estate scams are the most prevalent? 

Loan flipping: it's a predatory practice that happens when a lender
convinces a homeowner to repeatedly refinance their mortgage, accruing high
fees and points with each refinance.

Escrow wire fraud:  where scammers, many times in other countries, infiltrate a legitimate real estate transaction and cause monies to be wired to accounts they control as if they are the closing company when, in fact, they aren't. Victims have reported that everything looks real, has the right names, numbers, addresses, etc, yet the account number for the wire transfer has been changed. Most victims never receive the lost funds back so this is one everyone should be aware of.

Escrow wire fraud investigated by private investigators in Colorado Springs, Colorado

SerRental scams: in this scam the conman places a rental listing on various real estate rental websites and takes a deposit for either a vacation or long-term rental for housing. There's been many cases where the renter shows up thinking they have this nice place to stay, only to learn that the occupants/owners have no idea what they are talking about. 

Moving scams: moving scams are also classified as real estate scams and they take many forms. We've seen so-called moving companies hold a truckload of household goods hostage for additional payments over and above what their "estimate" was. Make sure you use a well-known, stable company with a track record whenever moving from point A to B, even if it may cost you a little more than the ad on Craiglist you saw.

Homebuyers and real estate agents should be especially diligent. Keep
personal information secure, use licensed lenders and realtors for all
transactions, never pay upfront fees for home services, and educate yourself
on how to spot a scam. Be aware of anyone pressuring you to make quick
decisions, and be wary of improper documentation and requests for wire
transfers of large sums of money.

Never resist the temptation to not follow up when you have a funny feeling about something or when any large sums of money are involved. Check and double-check and get on the phone to verify everything or, better yet, go in person to make sure you don't become the victim of one of these real estate scams.

Lee Walters
EXCALIBUR Private Investigation
​719.208.4088
​Serving all of Colorado and beyond
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A BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION CATCHES ANOTHER ONE!

3/2/2022

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Colorado Springs background investigation
This update based on a report from The Legal Intelligencer. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court recently suspended an attorney for six months after a routine background investigation determined that he practiced law without a license. It seems the Office of Disciplinary Counsel discovered during their background investigation of the attorney, Andrew S. Hurwitz, an account on LinkedIn under the pseudonym Andy Blackman Hurwitz, that listed various positions held as an attorney during a timeframe that he was not licensed to practice law. Hurwitz ultimately agreed to a six-month suspension before his petition for reinstatement would be considered.

​A thorough background investigation looks for exactly these types of things. Not only should it include a vigorous deep dive into the subject's true name, but any aliases, known and unknown, that the subject could be using. A good background investigation follows the breadcrumbs that lead to finding out everything there is to know including new aliases heretofore not known. Our Colorado Springs background investigators not only search the surface web, which only makes up about 4% of the internet, but also the dark web and the deep web. It takes a special skillset and know-how to investigate the entirety of the internet and our investigators have that.

Let us know if you are preparing to enter into a new business or personal relationship and would like to know if there are any skeletons you should be aware of.

EXCALIBUR Private Investigation
719.208.4088
​Serving all of Colorado and beyond
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