Couple at Jaco Costa Rica

Cheating and Costa Rica

Cheating in Costa Rica is alive and well. Recently, I have noticed an increase in cases involving a cheating spouse in Costa Rica. During the past year, the demand for surveillance I receive of a cheating spouse has risen dramatically. The increase has been so dramatic that our private investigation agency has had to increase staff to keep pace with the demand.

Is he going to Jaco?

if you have a loved one going to Jaco, that’s a huge red flag. Jaco has become the hotbed for sex tourism in Costa Rica. I have a list of hotels and casinos that cater to men traveling to Costa Rica for a “good time”. You should know that there’s no way to prevent cheating, but you can catch a cheater “red-handed”.  Surveillance is never quick or cheap. Your husband or boyfriend will never perform on cue. You need to know that patience and perseverance will get the proof you want.

What can you do?

First and foremost, get prepared. Most people like you have had this suspicion for some time. It’s no surprise and now you have decided, enough is enough. You need to be financially ready to fund the surveillance. The most successful surveillances occur when we are in the same hotel as the target.  Naturally, since the boys are going there to live the “lie” they stay in places that are convenient to the girls. These places are not cheap! If you don’t commit to the surveillance in advance of their trip, getting a room in the same hotel may be problematic.

Second thing needed

You need to obtain as much information about their plans as possible. If you can, get a copy of their itinerary and take mental notes when they are sharing details with you. Pictures of your loved one as well as anyone who may be traveling with them.  Something you may hear is about the fishing trip. I know that Costa Rica is known as a fishing destination for avid fishermen. I am working on many cases now that began with the story that the errant spouse is going to Costa Rica to fish.

This “cover story”, in a sense is true. I know the type of fishing being done is not in the ocean. It is in the numerous locations that have young, beautiful, and exotic women who work in the sex trade. The bait being used is approximately six inches long, green, and is called United States currency. Yes, cheating is alive and well in Costa Rica.

Where do most cases come from

The highest rate of cheating spouses coming to Costa Rica comes from the larger metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles, New York Chicago, or Miami. Over the past six months, the majority of infidelity cases have come from the Atlanta area. The cases range from a weekend spree to secreting money to prostitutes and starting new families complete with children.

I have had cases where the cheating spouse has bought real estate in Costa Rica, without the knowledge or consent of the stateside wife. The wife can attach all assets here in Costa Rica without first obtaining a divorce in the United States. Costa Rica has very unique laws concerning such real estate purchases.

How I have responded to the increase

Our office here in San Jose is fully staffed and I have a partner who is a licensed Costa Rican Attorney. Here, to recover assets that have been squandered surreptitiously it is necessary to have an attorney. As a result, the victim’s spouse can get equitable relief in negotiating the property and settlement agreement. Although I have a law degree, I do not practice law in Costa Rica and advise that anyone needing a detailed explanation of the laws here contact someone like my partner, Roberto Romero Mora and have the law explained in detail.

Often I am asked, when should a suspicious spouse seek my services. I think the mere fact he is coming to Costa Rica with buddies is sufficient to warrant surveillance. If nothing happens then the spouse in the United States can have peace of mind and an increased level of confidence in her spouse.

When it comes to surveillance expectations versus reality it is usually in the eye of the beholder as to the degree of success a private investigator will enjoy.

Surveillance is not a science it is an art. By and large, the success of a surveillance depends on the observer. And perhaps even greater by the environment surrounding the surveillance. Many who call to have a surveillance conducted have never done so before. With that comes a variety of questions and assumptions about the surveillance process. Thus, surveillance expectations should be tempered with reasonable goals. Getting video of infidelity in a bedroom will not happen,

Expectations

It has been my experience that the decision to watch someone comes quickly. Usually when something happens in a relationship that triggers a suspicion or furthers a previous suspicion. Professionals know that last minute surveillances are a challenge as there is little or no time to plan and prepare.  Planning a surveillance well in advance of the actual operation is always best. This allows the investigator to take tactical advantage of the circumstances that the case presents. This is particularly true in Costa Rica as the distance the team must travel in order to arrive at the surveillance destination is sometimes between four to six hours. During the initial interview with you I will provide you the details

Reality

For example, many of the resorts in Costa Rica, Colombia and Ecuador have a gated and guarded entrance. Accessing these as a non-guest is very difficult. If the target of a surveillance has given information about the location they will be staying sufficiently in advance of arrival, it allows the investigator and his team to make reservations at the same location and allows for surveillance that will be very successful. It also permits for the surveillance team to access the resort at will thus making the chances of success much greater.

A professional will have a  surveillance team. Organizing and placing agents in locations that give the best vantage is essential to a successful surveillance. So-called investigators that try and do this alone are doomed to failure. Today,   awareness of what is going on in the immediate area and seeing the same face too often will alert a target of being watched.

Costa Rica Travel Tips from a Costa Rica Private Investigator

Playa Samara

Playa Samara

Costa Rica is a beautiful and generally a safe place to visit. I have prepared a few Costa Rica travel tips from to help you. Planning and travelling to Costa Rica will go smoother. First don’t leave your belongings unguarded. This is especially important when you are on the beach or in a crowded place. Keep your passport, money, and other valuables close at hand. Beware of scams. There are many scams targeting tourists in Costa Rica. Be aware of schemes such as people offering to help you carry your luggage or sell you drugs. Stay alert when driving. Many roads in Costa Rica are narrow and winding, and there is a lot of traffic. Be especially careful when driving at night.

Be aware of your surroundings.

Keep an eye out for pickpockets. Also, be careful when using ATMs. Keep your money in your pockets or inside your backpack. It is common for thieves to target visitors. Since stealing is a crime of opportunity don’t make  it easy for the bad guys. I am offering Travel tips from a Costa Rica Private investigator for free. If you want a detail evaluation of your trip, let me know and I will prepare a customized report.

Know the rules.

Costa Rica is a very safe country, but it does have its rules and regulations. Do your best to learn them before your trip. Keep in mind that you are no longer in the United States. The laws here are different than those you are accustomed to.

Know your limits.

Costa Rica is a great place to visit, but it’s not a cheap place to travel. If you’re planning to visit the country, make sure you have enough money for decent lodging, meals, and souvenirs. Also, you may experience holds on your credit cards for things such as car rentals and hotels. Many of the hotels have very restrictive refund and cancellation rules.7. Know your rights.

Practice good manners.

Here are a few more travel tips from a Costa Rica private investigator. While you’re in Costa Rica, remember to be polite and friendly. Try to be as pleasant as possible to everyone you meet. I know this seems to be trite. Unfortunately, many of the “grigos” that come here are less than courteous. Costa Rican people are pacifist culturally and are sensitive to rude people.

Have fun.

It’s a shame to waste a trip to a beautiful country.  You have gone to a lot of expense and planning to come here. Take advantages of the things that you have never experienced before. Anything from visiting an active volcano to zip lining Costa Rica has it all. Unparalleled beaches with incredible sunsets.

Be safe.

Costa Rica is a safe country, but there are many risks, so be careful when traveling. Keep in mind that emergency services are not what you are accustomed to in the United States. Be sure to check the availability of places that you may need to call upon if you need to.

 

Here’s a list of Mistakes Expats Make in Costa Rica

The law can be preventive medicine, but if not used correctly, it is a devastating curative medicine.  Please let me try and help you avoid the mistakes ex-pats make in Costa Rica. Always bear in mind that the legal system in Costa Rica is Napoleonic, not Common Law. You wake up and realize things are very different here than in the US or Canada. Because of that, the best place to begin your investment plan is in an attorney’s office. Fundamentally, it’s always best to be proactive.

Eleven things not to do

Do not do anything you would not do in your hometown:

Many ex-pats seem to believe they can outsmart the system when they come to a less developed country. Or, it just may be the way most Costa Ricans behave with ‘gringos which turns them into wishful thinkers.

It is best not to try the Do it yourself method!

I know some try to save some dollars in legal fees and avoid the work of finding a good attorney to guide them. Do not do that! Do your homework. Find an attorney, you feel comfortable with and stay with him for as long as he does good work.

Do not rush into the decision of hiring an attorney.

Most importantly if you are thinking of investing in Costa Rica, hiring a local attorney is a must for you. It does not matter if you are just buying a car, a home, or planning to set up a million-dollar business. You will need an attorney. You may not like the idea of paying legal fees, but who does? But accept it and live with it. The idea is to have your lawyer working for you as ‘preventive medicine’, as insurance against what ‘might happen. Consider the legal fees as your insurance premium, because that’s really what it is. Today, you will pay a fraction of what it will probably cost to try and fix that problem later on if you do not have an honest attorney to guide you.

4. Do not think of buying Costa Rica real estate and only follow the real estate broker’s advice! In Costa Rica, real estate brokers are not licensed in the same way they are in the United States. Some of them are real professionals, but a lot of them are just ‘enthusiastic’ salespeople.

Either buying or selling real estate, you will probably need a broker’s services, but even if your Costa Rica real estate agent is first class, have your attorney on board and have him supervise the process. These are other mistakes ex-pats make in Costa Rica.

5. Do not blindly trust your own countrymen! Just because they have been here more time than you have. I have seen US citizens being conned by US people and, Canadians by Canadians and so forth. Be careful! There are a whole lot of strange people in this country, some of them fleeing from the FBI, Interpol, ex-wives, and even from mental institutions.

6. Gentlemen! Please remember that you do not, I repeat, do NOT need to marry the first beautiful ‘Tica’ (Costa Rican woman) that you meet!

7. “Old Mac Donald had a farm“: And he lost it because he never took care of it. This is a common story in Costa Rica. Again, please remember that our legal system is different.

8. South of the Border…

I am well aware not everybody here wears a big Mexican ‘sombrero’ and has a big bushy mustache. Not all the ladies are named “Juanita Bonita’. South of the Río Grande. They all come from México, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panamá, Colombia, and Perú, All of them are different countries, with different histories, different people, and different laws.

9. “Easy comes easy goes.” I will not even waste your time on this matter. If it sounds too good to be true, then yes! It probably is too good to be true. Nobody on this earth can give you 45% per annum in a legitimate investment.

10. There is ‘risk’ even with legitimate well-known and established private banks. Right now I am trying to help a client who deposited a large amount of money in CDs, in one local bank.

11. If you really want to live in Costa Rica then, please live IN Costa Rica! It was the year 335 B.C. Alexander the Great faced one of his greatest battles. When his army reached the Phoenician coasts, he realized their enemies outnumbered them by 3 to 1.

Do you know how he managed to win the battle? Quite simple! He ordered his ships to be burnt… While the ships were on fire and sinking on the ocean, he spoke to his army and told them the only way to go back home was on their enemy’s ships. It was that or else.

If you really want to become a resident of Costa Rica, you may have to burn your ships.

Traveling to Costa Rica? Beware! Costa Rica Scam Alert:

Scam 3Tips Avoiding Scams In Costa Rica we here at Cody L Gear and Associates know you work hard for your money. Moreover, that is why I want to provide you with a Costa Rica Scam Alert. Thus, I am offering some tips to help you avoid being scammed in Costa Rica or at home.
Most importantly, we have learned that various solicitations have appeared on Craigslist and other social networking sites. These sites encourage consumers to deposit escrow funds to secure an interest in property located in Costa Rica. The scammers want you to send payment through Western Union. They want it payable to what appears to be a legitimate, reputable real estate company with name recognition. (Such as Remax, Century21, etc.…).

Check them out

I have contacted the real estate companies and none of them are associated with this type of solicitation. This is another scam being perpetrated on the unwary and is currently being investigated by law enforcement.

Additionally, we have been made aware of an Advance Fee Scam. This involves the unauthorized use of a brand name such as the one mentioned above.  By using a website and email address utilizing the name of the nationally known real estate company to hold the property.

In an effort to instill confidence in this transaction, the scammer fraudulently claims to have listed the property with the multi-listing service. Using a local Real Estate office in Costa Rica, and arranging for a fraudulent email notification. Thereby, posing as a real estate agent in Costa Rica (and using the real estate company’s logos) to be sent. The scammer disappears once the deposit is received, leaving the prospective buyer defrauded. For your information, there is no regulatory oversight of the Real Estate industry in Costa Rica and there are no licensing requirements. Because of these facts, there is no such thing as a multiple-listing service in Costa Rica

Here are some tips to help you avoid such scams:

KNOW THE PERSON YOU ARE SENDING MONEY TO. If you receive an email from a real estate agent with payment instructions, call the requesting office using the phone number located on the solicitation. Then call us (321-218-9209 or visit https://codygear.com )  to verify if this is a legitimate real estate company operating here in Costa Rica

CRAIGSLIST IS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY TRANSACTION, and does not handle payments, guarantee transactions, or provide escrow services.

USE CAUTION WHEN GIVING OUT FINANCIAL AND OTHER PERSONAL INFORMATION VIA EMAIL. i.e.(bank account number, credit card number, social security number, etc.).

AVOID DEALS INVOLVING SHIPPING SERVICES. Keep in mind that ONLY A SCAMMER WILL “GUARANTEE” YOUR TRANSACTION.

These types of scams often claim that an MTCN or confirmation code is needed before withdrawing your money – this is FALSE, once you’ve wired money, it is GONE.

PROPERTY LISTING MAY BE LOCAL, but the landlord/owner is “traveling” or “relocating” and needs you to wire money to them abroad.

Most scams involve one or more of the following:

Inquiry from someone far away, often in another country;
Western Union, Money Gram, cashier’s check, money order, shipping, escrow service, or a “guarantee.”
Inability or refusal to meet face-to-face before consummating the transaction.

Who should you notify about fraud or scam attempts?
Cody L Gear and Associates (321-218-9209 or visit https://codygear.com).

  • • FTC toll-free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357).
    • FTC online complaint form (http://www.ftc.gov).
    • Canadian Phone Busters hotline: 888-495-8501.
    • Internet Fraud Complaint Center (http://www.ic3.gov).
    • Non-emergency number for your local police department.
    • The government agency in your country responsible for dealing with fraud.

What Information a Costa Rica Investigator Needs

In order for a Costa Rica private investigator to find a missing person, you will need to provide them with as much information as possible. If you could provide the private investigator with a name, date of birth, Costa Rica Cedula number, age, last address known, or anything else that you might consider helpful. However, if all you can provide is a name, a professional Costa Rica private investigator can still find the person. Even if they have remarried. More important is to get someone on this ASAP. You will find the authorities are notoriously slow, yes even the Embassy.

 

I am not a magician

Just keep in mind that the less information you have, the longer it might take for the private investigator to find the person you are looking for. It is also much harder for the private investigator to find someone if they are running from the law. Although, no matter what the circumstances the private investigator should exhaust all resources in order to find who they are looking for. Some tips; if your target lives in Costa Rica, they will have two last names. (i.e. Gonzalez- Bedoa)  This is very important as this will reduce the amount of time to locate them and/or get information on their whereabouts. If it is an American you seek a passport will also save time and money.

How do they find the person I am looking for?

A reliable, trustworthy Costa Rica professional private investigator has a number of different resources that the “ordinary person” does not have.. Private investigators have access to the most modern technology and databases that will help provide the information they are looking for. Some of these databases can only be used by private investigators, so the “ordinary person” would never have access to this information. They also have easier access to the large amounts of public records and information that is out there. Plus, last but not least, the skills they have acquired over the years as a private investigator give them a great advantage over someone who doesn’t have professional experience.

How long will it take?

How long it takes really depends on the person the private investigator is trying to find. A private investigator’s vast resources and professional experience can sometimes allow them to find someone in 24 hours or less! However, this greatly depends on how willing the person is to be found. If the private investigator is looking for an old friend, long lost love, or a family member it should be a lot easier than looking for someone who is running from the law. It also depends on how much information you are able to give the private investigator.

Why should I hire a private investigator?

For an affordable and reasonable amount a professional Costa Rica private investigator can find the person, you are looking for. They have the skills, resources, and time to get the job done in a timely fashion. In fact, a private investigator can often find someone you have been looking for, for years in a matter of hours or days. Why spend countless days or even years trying to find someone when you can make a quick phone call and have a professional, Costa Rica private investigator devoted to the job? It just makes sense to use a private investigator that is in Costa Rica..

 

Family of Five murdered in Costa Rica

law theme, mallet of the judge, justice scale, books, wooden desk

This a follow up on a murder in Costa Rica. It is a story, that frankly, has all too often been repeated here. Not necessarily ending with murder, but the consequences of making poor choices can lead to disastrous results. Although, we receive cases involving infidelity between Americans and Costa Ricans, there is a pattern of conduct that merits discussions. Understanding that everyone deserves someone special in their lives does equate to risking everything on a poor decision. We have been retained to investigate murders in Costa Rica by several ex-pats.

Having investigated numerous murder cases during my law enforcement career I have learned that time is of the essence. The longer the authorities wait to investigate the greater the chance of the case going “cold”.

Destination and Temptation

Costa Rica is a world renowned destination for its climate, natural beauty and its women. The women here are generally attractive, polite and friendly. For the most part American men who come here are in search of a meaningful and lasting relationship. Most have passed the place in life where they are competitive in the dating market in the United States. Most have endured a broken heart either from a divorce or a death. Many are in their fifties or sixties and their choices in the States are limited to similarly situated women, who also have suffered the loneliness associated with such losses. Both bring “baggage” from their previous situation, ranging from abuse to financial trouble.

Murder in Costa Rica

Because of the opportunity to go somewhere and engage in a relationship with a woman that is in her twenties or thirties, who for all outward appearances is a victim of circumstance, is a temptation hard to resist. Most ignore the red flags. It should be obvious that a young attractive woman who is in the sex business is not looking for love. She is looking for financial security. In other words, it is her job. Your wellbeing, physically, emotionally and financially are at risk when you enter a relationship with such a woman.

In the case mentioned at the beginning, the news account of the Tico Times, details the background that ultimately led to this tragedy. Like many of the cases we handled, many of them begin with the American meeting a woman in one of the local watering holes that promote and allow this type of business to thrive. It is not uncommon for women to start visiting these places at as young as eighteen. By the time they are twenty four, they have had an unimaginable amount of sexual contact with countless men of whom they know or care little about.

 

Are You Visiting Costa Rica? Warning

Costa Rica Welcomes Back TouristAre you Visiting Costa Rica? Warning; violent crime has reached an all-time high here. 2015 saw nearly 600 murders as opposed to 378 deaths in automobile accidents. This beautiful country has been mired with an onslaught of murders that seem uncontrolled. Although the authorities are aware of and alarmed at the increase, they lack the infrastructure to adequately respond. This is not to criticize the government here, but merely a statement of fact.

Costa Rica Not Prepared

Costa Rica’s prison situation is overcrowded, poorly managed, and woefully under-financed. As a result, this has led the government to release back into the population hundreds of convicted criminals. This in combination with the expanding narco-trafficking and influx of Mexican gang members are fueling the homicide rate. The majority of murders involve Costa Ricans.

Murders of Foreign Nationals Rise

However, the indiscriminate murder of foreign nationals is on the rise as well. Recently two Dutch nationals along with their workers were bound and executed at their property in Puntarenas. Other examples include a brutal attack on another Dutch national who operates a small bed and breakfast, where 3 Mexican guests attacked and tried to strangle her to death.

The police here are underfunded and despite their best efforts they struggle to identify and capture violent criminals. Even when they do the chances of the suspect remaining in jail are slim. Costa Rica has no capital punishment for murderers. Prison sentences are short-lived with violent criminals serving only a small portion of their sentences.

My advice is to always be aware of your surroundings and don’t take unnecessary risks while visiting this tropical paradise. Do not take your security for granted. Don’t travel alone if possible. Maintain contact with loved ones back home and tell them about your activities as well as a post on social media such as Facebook or Twitter. For example, post a picture of your hotel and rental car. In the event something does happen, you have left valuable information to follow.

I know that most don’t want to think about bad things that can happen when traveling to a foreign country, but today it is necessary to exercise caution wherever you go.

 

 Never discard your boarding pass

Whenever we fly, it’s a necessity to have a boarding pass to board the airplane. We protect them with our lives to make sure we have them readily available. But what do we usually do with them once the flight’s over?? Some leave it on the airplane; others tuck it in their pockets and put it down. Others leave it in the back of the seat in front of them when they exit the airplane. Putting them out of mind or their whereabouts once we are done with them. Why you shouldn’t throw out your boarding pass? I never realized that being so careless with the whereabouts of my boarding pass could potentially get me into so much trouble!

The reason? According to ‘Krebs on Security”, there’s a ton of personal information encrypted on the boarding pass. Once someone gets a screenshot of the bar code on the boarding pass you’ll be shocked at how much information can be discovered about you. Personal email addresses, home addresses, and phone numbers. From there, they can gain access to financial and banking information. Watch the video below and learn about the risks and damage you face by being careless with your boarding pass.

https://youtu.be/jM4_iz3RqE8

Take precautions to protect your boarding pass

In this day and age of perpetual technological advances and the unlimited use of smartphones your personal information is under constant bombardment from the bad guys.

Even digitally copying on your own cell phone or tablet puts you at risk of it being scanned and all of your personal information is available to the person making the search.

The best advice is that you keep it in your possession until after the flight and then when you return to your home or office make sure it is destroyed. Don’t put it in the trash and never post it on your social media. As a tenured and experienced private investigator, I know it is best to keep any info concealed.

 

 

Breaking news on Barbara Sturncova

Barbara Sturrncova who went missing five years ago is in the news again. Apparently, her male companion, The FBI arrested today while attempting to board an airplane with his new bride. He was arrested for using a fraudulent passport.  In the past, there has been much speculation about Ulner and the role he played in Sturncova’s disappearance. No one has seen or heard from Sturncova since her disappearance and none of her bank cards have been used. Although highly coincidental, there is no evidence to link Ulner to her disappearance.

 

We wrote a cold case article about Barbara Sturncova and others that have mysteriously vanished into thin air. There are several people who have vanished never to be seen or heard from again. Fox 31 in Denver is reporting the story. There have been several people who have tried unsuccessfully to find Sturncova but have run into dead ends. The odds of ever finding her are poor.

The information we have received is that Ulner recently married and was at the airport leaving for his honeymoon when the FBI nabbed him. Information on his new wife and other information concerning his arrest has not been disclosed. Perhaps one day someone will discover Barbara and bring this case to a conclusion.

I have written this article to emphasize to those who have loved ones here, not to delay reporting a person missing. The simple fact that law enforcement is stretched to the limits further complicates cases like Barbara’s. The longer the wait the colder the trail. My years of working with homicides have taught me the quicker I get the case the better the result.