Frauds and scams tend to rise around the holidays, when busy consumers are distracted or rushed. (Wellesley Consulting Services file photo)
Every holiday season a number of scams make an appearance in an effort to deprive the unsuspecting of their money and purchases. This year is no different. Here follows a quick survey of some recent well-known scams this holiday season. Continue reading
Gaddafi email scam the latest advance fee fraud (Canstockphoto)
The recent Libyan revolt which resulted in the death of its former leader, Moamar Gaddafi, and the exile of his surviving family members, has spurned an email scam similar to the infamous “Nigerian 419″ advance fee frauds.
An email hitting inboxes – or possibly only junk mail filters – around the world and purportedly sent by Mariam Gaddafi, pleads for assistance in moving $42 million in Libyan funds to a safe country, in exchange for some proceeds from the haul. Continue reading
Social media debate over the removal of the “long gun registry” has escalated to a privacy breach, according to users posting on Twitter.
After the Canadian government tabled a bill to eliminate the long gun registry, users of the popular web messaging service took to trading barbs under the hash-tags #gunregistry, #lgr, #cdnpoli, and others. Continue reading
The British Security Industry Association (BSIA) is suggesting that VIPs and dignitaries visiting Britain next year may face a shortage of qualified, licenced close protection officers, according to a video released earlier this month.
Mike O’Neill, BSIA’s Chairman of the Close Protection Section, says that public policing resources will allocated to visiting heads of state and other internationally protected persons, and that private visitors in the VIP or dignitary category will require private close protection services.
This could include heads of international corporations, especially in the financial and energy sectors, and other international organizations that do not normally receive government or diplomatic protection.
Close Protection services in the UK are regulated by the government, and according to the BSIA bodyguarding companies should be licenced by the Security Industry Authority, and hold a UK Close Protection standard. The BSIA also recommends VIPs choose providers who are BSIA members, which are required to meet ISO standards, employ holders of first aid certificates, and have knowledge of London geography and culture.
To view their video, click here http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=RdTrud0oX08
Pedestrians are reflected in a glass building as they walk alone a security fence on Front Street in Toronto, Thursday, June 24, 2010, as the security fencing is in place around the Metro Toronto Convention Center for the upcoming G8 and G20 Summits. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Organizers behind a planned Canadian version of the “Occupy Wall Street” protest will meet today at a University of Toronto campus, according to a blog site for Occupy Toronto.
One troubling sign has been a demand from protest organizers that Toronto Police not repeat what many believe were harsh and unnecessary tactics during last year’s G20 protests.
While unprecedented numbers of protesting citizens were detained by police, scenes of destruction played out on city streets that shocked many watching the mayhem unfold on live television. Scenes of burning police cars could be repeated if so-called “Black Bloc” anarchists take to the streets during what promises to be a prolonged downtown rally.
City authorities have suggested that should protestors occupy public space for a lengthy period they may be subject to health and safety inspections. The police have remained tight lipped on their plans, except to say that they have appropriate measures in place.
Similar overtures were made by both protest groups and police officials last year, leading up to the G20.
For downtown business owners and corporate executives, there is cause for alarm. A review of security processes and procedures would be appropriate, according to Wellesley Consulting Services consultants.
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