New Mexico Security Blog by Robb Hamic

New Mexico RLD gets a new PI Board Administrator

September 29, 2009- Santa Fe, NM- The New Private Investigator's Board that also regulates the security industry is getting a new Board Director- Anita Villegas.

IRS Scam is now the worlds biggest e-mail virus..

September, 29, 2009- Criminals are waging a nasty online campaign right now, hoping that their victims' fears of the tax collecter will lead them to inadvertently install malicious software.

The spam campaign, entering its third week now, is showing no signs of slowing down, according to Gary Warner, director of research in computer forensics with the University of Alabama at Birmingham. This one campaignaccounts for about 10 percent of the spam e-mail that his group is presently tracking, he said. "This is the most prominent spam-delivered virus in the world right now," he said.

Since first spotting the spam on Sept. 9, antispam vendor Cloudmark has counted 11 million messages sent to the company's nearly 2 million desktop customers, said Jamie Tomasello, abuse operations manager with Cloudmark. That number is "very high," she noted.

The messages typically have a subject line that reads, "Notice of Underreported Income," and they encourage victims to either install the Trojan attachment or click on a Web link in order to view their "tax statement." In fact, that link takes the victim to a malicious Web site.

The IRS says not to open attachments or click on links included in e-mail that claims to come from the tax-collection agency.

What makes this campaign particularly ugly is that the malware that accompanies the fake IRS messages is a variant of the hard-to-detect Zeus Trojan. This software hacks into bank accounts and drains them of money as part of a widespread financial fraud scheme. Researchers estimate that the Zeus criminals are emptying more than a million dollars per day out of victims' bank accounts with the software. Small businesses have been particularly hard-hit by this fraud, because banks have sometimes held them accountable for the losses.

Testing a recent variant of Zeus on the VirusTotal Web site, Warner found that only five of the 41 antivirus detection systems used by VirusTotal managed to spot it.

Although antivirus vendors have other techniques for blocking the malware -- they can stop people from visiting the malicious Web sites, for example -- the spam is giving the companies a run for their money.

"It's difficult to stay ahead of it via antivirus because the Zeus binaries are changing a few times a day to evade detection," said Paul Ferguson, a researcher with Trend Micro, via instant message. "It's definitely a problem."

New terrorism alerts include Stadiums and hotels

Counterterrorism officials have issued security bulletins to police around the nation about terrorists' desire to attack stadiums, entertainment complexes and hotels - the latest in a flurry of such internal warnings as investigators chase a possible bomb plot in Denver and New York.

In the two bulletins sent to police departments Monday, officials said they know of no specific plots against such sites but urged law enforcement and private companies to be vigilant. The bulletins came after a similar warning about the vulnerabilities of mass transit systems.

The bulletin on stadiums notes that an al Qaeda training manual lists "blasting and destroying the places of amusement, immorality, and sin ... and attacking vital economic centers" as desired targets of the global terror network.

Law enforcement bulletins - particularly about hotels as possible targets - are common, aren't intended for the public and often don't make news. But a half-dozen alerts issued in the past week have received increased attention amid the investigations in New York and Denver. The first of these, about hydrogen peroxide-based explosives, specifically referred to the investigation in New York.

Separately, law enforcement officials said a Colorado man may have been planning with others to detonate backpack bombs on New York City trains in a terrorism plot similar to past attacks on London's and Madrid's mass-transit systems.

The investigation and the earlier warning about mass-transit systems have prompted officials around the nation to step up patrols.

New York City's transit agency said it increased police presence around the city in light of the ongoing probe and the law enforcement notices.

In the Bay Area, BART and San Francisco's Muni continue to conduct measures that include random sweeps of trains and the use bomb-sniffing dogs, officials said.

Two law enforcement officials speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss details of the investigation said more than a half-dozen individuals were being scrutinized in the alleged plot.

Investigators say Najibullah Zazi, a 24-year-old Afghanistan-born immigrant who is a shuttle van driver at the Denver airport, played a direct role in the plot, which unraveled after a 1,600-mile trip from Denver to New York City around the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Chronicle staff writer Rachel Gordon contributed to this report.

This article appeared on page A - 11 of the San Francisco Chronicle

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/09/22/MN3A19QSUM.DTL#ixzz0RwdU6abt

Does anyone see anything wrong with this picture?

Albuquerque, NM- I am just asking a question.  I was asked by the owner of Albuquerque's Armed Response Team if I knew of another company driving around in cars that looked like police cars with their company name.  It took a couple of days but sure enough, someone sent me a few pictures.  This car is driving by a man who owns a different company all together and has no permission from the Armed Response Team to use their company name.  Does it comply with state security laws?

Does this car look confusingly similar to law enforcement's cars?  Just curious.

Check to see if a New Mexico Security Guard or Company is licensed- HERE.

Albuquerque, NM- September 18, 2009-  All people who do security or protection work for money must have a license issued b the State of New Mexico prior to working on any location.  The license process requires a nationwide FBI (fingerprint) background check, required training, compliance with child support payment and fitness for duty.  Many New Mexico Companies are not licensed.  Many if not most of the guards providing security in Albuquerque are not licensed.  The state requires each guard to display his/her license on their uniform and to produce it upon request.  

If you have a guard working on your property- make sure they are licensed by CLICKING HERE.  All you need to know is their name.

Each security or investigation company operating in New Mexico must have a license prior to doing any work or hiring any guards.  His ensures proper license, background checks of the owners, insurance, civil litigation history and legal compliance.  CLICK HERE to check on any New Mexico security company.  If their company name isn't listed they are not licensed.  It is against the law to provide security without a license.

REPORT ALL UNLICENSED ACTIVITY TO THE NEW MEXICO PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR'S BOARD- 505-476-4909.  

Study: Hotels seen as easy targets for terrorists

Washington, D.C.- The Associated Press released an article citing a study about terrorists and their selection of hotels as targets.  It is a good read.

Study: Terrorists shifting focus to 'soft' targets

By RICHARD LARDNER (AP) – Sep 8, 2009

WASHINGTON — Terrorists are aiming for hotels and other easier-to-hit targets as security measures at military and government facilities continue to improve, says a global intelligence company.

Al-Qaida is changing from a centralized organization with global goals to regional "franchises" with more parochial aims and strong grass-roots support, according to a report Tuesday from STRATFOR. These smaller cells get less training and less money, so they set their sights lower.

That doesn't mean they aren't dangerous, "particularly if they are attempting to prove their value or if they are able to link up with someone who is highly tactically skilled," the report says.

According to STRATFOR, the number of attacks on hotels has more than doubled since the 9/11 attacks in 2001 when compared with the eight years before. Injuries and deaths caused by those attacks have increased six times over the same comparison period.

A hotel is the ultimate soft target for Islamic extremists: a fixed location, lots of human traffic and shallow security perimeters. Hotels also attract many Westerners, giving militants high probabilities of killing or injuring large numbers of them in a single attack, according to the report.

Although hotel security guards try to monitor suspicious people and activities, extremists know the way around this is to check in as a guest, giving them full access to the grounds. As an example, the report says the bombers who carried out the July 17 twin suicide attacks at the J.W. Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels in Jakarta, Indonesia, had registered two days earlier.

From a terrorist's perspective, the downside to hitting soft targets is that the attacks don't generate as much "political and ideological mileage" as hitting a hard target such as a better guarded government building or military facility, the report says.

Despite the increasing attacks in hotels, the report says many owners and managers have been reluctant to equip their buildings with more security measures, which can be cumbersome and inconvenience guests.

But that mentality may have to change.

An attorney representing the victims of a hotel attack in 2004 has demanded that the owner accept responsibility for the security and belongings of its guests.

"Terrorism-related liability considerations, which could be called a hushed concern among hotel industry insiders since Sept. 11, are becoming a much more prominent issue," the report says

FBI: Crime decreases in 2008 across the United States

Washington, D.C.- September 17, 2009- The Federal Bureau of Investigation published their crime census for 2008 and it shows a overall decrease in crime in the United States. This is, of course, generalized through the US. Many states and cities saw an increase in crime during the same period and this does not predict 2009 in any way.  I think that Albuquerque might have been an exception..

THE DECLINE OF CRIME Even in Tough Economic Times
09/14/09
- View the 2008 Uniform Crime Report statistics Unemployment, interest rates, stress—they’re all on the rise as the economy is buffeted by a downturn. What’s not rising, however, is crime, according to statistics compiled by the FBI that show violent crimes and property crimes declined nationwide in 2008. The data, released today in the FBI’s annual Crime in the United States publication, show violent crimes declined for the second straight year, down 1.9 percent in 2008 from a year earlier. Each of the four categories of violent crime offenses showed declines, including murder and nonnegligent manslaughter (down 3.9 percent); aggravated assault (down 2.5 percent); and forcible rape (down 1.6 percent).

Make sure to search this blog if you are looking for information.

There is a search feature and the blog has over a million words and who knows how many stories over the years.  Many of the same characters have had information spanning a couple of years that include police reports, video, news stories, audio and other information that you may be seeking.  Albuquerque security and its bad owners have been exposed many times over on this blog.

I heard that Jeremy Jojola was nominated for an Emmy Award on his report last year of the security industry crisis and arrests.  he obtained much of his information through undercover investigation/ reporting.  Congratulations Jeremy.

You will eventually get caught..

The Albuquerque New Mexico Security Circus continues..  For those of you who are having a hard time keeping up with the name switch companies and players in the business of illegitimate security here is an update.. 

Legit Security goes out of business owing thousands to employees and a hundred or so thousand to ADP Payroll processing.  It dissolves amid investigations and news reports.

ICU Security is formed and run by many of the same people then dissolves amid news and RLD investigations. 

Atlas Security is formed and run by many of the same people.  It takes over much of the same business that Legit serviced.  Ron Haley and Greg Buck start doing some projects on the side (as stated by several guards on video), such as running guards for  a movie production.  It angers some of the old partners.

An out of state California company is said to purchase the former "Legit or Atlas or whatever."  It comes into town and is set to take over operations at an old Albuquerque hospital.  It will apparently do security, janitorial and other things.  It makes an application for PPO license with the state of NM. It purportedly does security for a film in town.

This is where I come in.  A guy notifies me that Gil Baca is back.  He does all of the work, talks to guards, takes film and pictures.  He has others help.  All of this is recorded.  Being a good citizen, I notify the authorities.  RLD responds promptly.  I get a call from the California company owner stating that Gil Baca has never worked for him and never will.  He thinks Baca is up to something.  It doesn't make sense to me.  How did he find out about te blog so fast?

I speak to another contact who sees Baca and this company owner together.  LOL.  They are apparently kicked off of the hospital grounds and the locksmith comes and changes the locks, effectively locking Baca out of the buildings.  Who does Baca work for anyway?  They seem to have issues with the contract with the hospital and the California company that has an Arizona address (and isn't incorporated in Arizona) still doesn't have a NM license even though the security employees think they are working for the California company..

By this time, so many people have been burned by Gil Baca, Joe Stidham and their companies - everyone is calling everyone and people are all tripping over themselves to get the word out.  It looks like RLD does a great job and tracks everything down at real time.  It looks like they got the answers from some of the video I have seen.  I have been sent a lot of good video and told about more that will be in soon.

The TV show is getting rid of the old security company "no later than Friday" that is some form of Atlas or the new California company, depending on who you talk to.  Ron Haley is left holding his hat and banned from the old partnerships, apparently, 'double-dealt.'

Gil Baca's blog starts firing off the standard denials and 'its all lies' comments.  He somehow thinks that nobody knows it is him that is running the obsolete, misspelled and uninformed blog... LOL.

The whole time- I am just sitting back and receiving information from people who are all concerned with the security industry.  A dozen or so people have been in touch with RLD, police, Department of Labor, PRC and who knows who else.  I spend very little time talking to a few people and doing a little typing.

I just pass on information that I document on this blog.  It is free speech and falls under the first amendment and blogger's rights are well established.  You can't hide the truth and expect it to come out if you keep trying the same old tricks in the same small town.     

Bosque Farms Police Department.. is the fox in charge of the hen house?

September 15, 2009- Bosque Farms, NM-  Why do Bosque Farms  Police Department's officers keep getting arrested or charged with crimes?  This is just crazy.  Why do I care?  The "Chief" formerly owned and ran a notorious Albuquerque Security company as it violated countless laws and regulations.

Click here for this week's officer arrested..

Click here for last week's officer arrested..

Click here for the the story of Chief of Bosque Farms (Joe Stidham) being investigated for felonies.. 

Albuquerque event security. Watch out for these problems that could ruin your event..

September 15, 2009- Albuquerque, NM-  I have been contacted by many organizers of events in Albuquerque and it is amazing at how many horror stories that I have heard about security operations.  I thought I would take the time to write a blog post on some of the things that security consumers should watch out for now that we are coming up to the balloon fiesta season that brings many events into Albuquerque. 

To those people out there who are searching Google for security company- watch out- because many, if not most readily searchable companies are illegal.  New Mexico is stuck in the dark ages and enforcement doesn't exist.  BUYER BEWARE.  What does this mean to you?

•  Potentially criminal guards that have no background checks
•  Unlicensed guards without state required training or license
•  Uninsured security companies
•  Sleeping guards with no supervision
•  Guards who don't show up for posts or who are not there when you  think they guarding
•  Guards that may use excessive force due to lack of training
•  Theft loss under suspicious circumstances
•  Overpayment by you of sales tax that is unpaid to the state
•  Liability, liability, liability to you and your event

How do you avoid these problems?  Do your homework.  Don't take any person's work for anything and verify everything yourself.  In New Mexico, these are the requirements to operate a guard service for an event:

 A PPO (private patrol operator license) issued by NM RLD- 505-476-4909 (verify it!), commercial liability insurance, worker's compensation insurance, NM TX ID certificate, NM corporation certificate, each guard requires a state issued 'guard card' which requires (FBI background check, state mandated training, legal compliance), uniform, vehicle insurance if one is used and last but not least..

some actual successful event security experience..

What are you likely to get if you don't hire the right company?

 

•  Criminal guards
•  Sleeping guards 
•  Theft loss and overpayment of sales tax (7%) that doesn't go tot he state
•  Excuses

 

Of course, my company isn't the only firm that does a lot of event security and there are a number of good security companies in Albuquerque.  BUYER BEWARE!  

You can reach me on my cellular phone for reservations: 505-255-7233.   

American Facility Support Services, DBA in NM, Isn't even incorporated in Arizona.. no surprise

09/14/2009

State of Arizona Public Access System

8:09 PM

Pending File Inquiry
File Number: F-1551276-4	Reservation Number: 0
Corporation Name: AMERICAN FACILITY SUPPORT SERVICES

Designation Type:	FOREIGN CORPORATION
Pending Type Code:	APPLICATION FOR AUTHORITY
Location Code:	PHOENIX
Date Received:	09/08/2009
Approval Date:
Date Returned:	09/11/2009
Reason Returned:	DIRECTOR(S) NAME/ADDRESS
Corp Type:	BUSINESS
Expedited Date:	09/08/2009
Expiration Date:	01/07/2010

Contact Information

WILLIAM J TWILLEY 1832 S MACDONALD #103 MESA,  AZ  85210

 

Albuquerque, NM- September 15, 2009--     The company that has come into New Mexico to do security guard services, among other things, is not even incorporated in Arizona.  American Facility Support Services Inc. is not incorporated in Arizona or New Mexico.  It certainly doesn't have a security license..  How is it running a security operation in Albuquerque?

It is apparently run by Gil Baca, based on the business card.  He is one of the states most notorious unlicensed/ illegal company owners that is surrounded with mystery.  He has been involved in several companies that have left many unpaid guards, attempted name changes, his house was burned (or at least the company records..), he has been featured I don't know how many times on the TV or print news, etc.

And that's right folks... he's back.  Apparently this same firm has applied to get a NM PPO license even though it is already doing work and apparently employs security guards.  Talk about jumping the gun..

Does anyone care?  Will anything get done this time?  How many guards will have to suffer unpaid wages this time?  Will RLD finally step up and stop unlicensed activity?  I guess time will tell..  On thing is for sure.. he (and any of his partners) are making a lot of money, illegally- right now, and will soon be professing that he is innocent and that I am just a mean guy who is attacking him unjustly.  His stupid and 'anonymous blog' will pop up with tons of junk, unfounded allegations and prayers asking the devil to leave my finger tips.. LOL

Gil Baca vehicle alert!

Albuquerque, NM-  This blog is funny and it is obviously read by so many in the industry who are concerned with security and its problems.  I was notified by a reader to saw Gil Baca in Albuquerque.  Where ever he is, trouble follows.  You can be sure of that.  Be careful.

2004 Ford Expedition- New Mexico Plate- JPR-XXX

Guard: The TV show Breaking Bad hires an unlicensed company run by Gil Baca- American Facility Support Services Inc.

Albuquerque, NM- September 14, 2009-     He's baaaccckkkk!  The TV show Breaking Bad has apparently decided to hire a company that is operated by a man who is almost as bad as the characters in the show.  One of the guard who is in their employ says that they have hired American Facility Support Services, Inc. operated by the infamous Gil Baca.  It is obvious that this guy wont go away until he is put away.  It is beyond ridiculous that the state still allows this guy to walk the streets and screw people out of money.  I'm sure that the hundreds of victims (employees) and others want some kind of justice for this guy's crimes.  

The company has no license in NM, of course and we have already talked to guards who work directly for the company and Baca on the set of Breaking Bad in Albuquerque.  They are doing additional security and other work in Albuquerque.  I have alerted the police, RLD and others.  How can his happen?

Welcome to New Mexico!

The Santa Fe Reporter weighs in on the Gil Baca/ Joe Stidham/ Legit Security issue again..

Santa Fe, NM- Dave Maass and the Santa Fe Reporter did a follow up to their story on the security industry featuring the misdeeds of Gil Baca, Joe Stidham and Legit Security amongst others.  This is a funny post and you should all read it.  CLICK HERE.

Many of us thought that these guys would go away into obscurity but that hasn't happened.  Baca is behind the reins of another security company, doing 'environmental cleaning'  and also still living in Albuquerque.  Joe Stidham is still the Chief of Bosque Farms PD.  Legit turned into ICU, both dissolved.  Ron Haley was affiliated with both and is still apparently running a company or just contracting guards out on the side.  

All seem to be enjoying their freedom for the moment but there sure is a lot of continual news coverage on this issue.  There are still a lot of unpaid employees of the defunct security companies wishing that they never worked for them.  Stidham did't renew his PPO license.  Haley's license was denied.  Baca never had a license.  Baca continues to work on his misspelled and irrelevant blog 'behind the 'scenes' even though Google has disclosed its registration by him..  I am still being blamed by all those I have exposed for who knows (or cares) what..

The circus continues.