In-house Training

finINTEL Solutions offers offers five comprehensive modules designed to equip professionals with advanced skills in Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) tailored to various specialized domains:

  1. OSINT-1: Structured Search and Deep-Web Training for KYC & EDD Gain expertise in leveraging OSINT for financial crime investigations and due diligence, focusing on uncovering critical information from diverse data sources.

  2. OSINT-2: Advanced OSINT Training. Track Ultimate Beneficial Ownership Delve into advanced OSINT techniques to track ultimate beneficial ownership across complex corporate structures, essential for compliance and risk mitigation.

  3. OSINT-3: Advanced OSINT Training for Trade-Based Money Laundering Explore practical applications of OSINT in detecting trade-based money laundering risks, using real-life case studies to enhance investigative skills.

  4. OSINT-4: Advanced OSINT Training for Anti-Bribery & Corruption Navigate the complexities of OSINT in combating bribery and corruption, focusing on regulatory compliance and uncovering illicit financial activities.

  5. OSINT-5: Advanced OSINT Training: KYC for Crypto Master OSINT applications within the cryptocurrency ecosystem, ensuring effective enhanced due diligence and compliance amidst evolving regulatory landscapes.

Each module combines theoretical insights with hands-on exercises, equipping participants with essential tools to address contemporary challenges in financial intelligence and regulatory compliance.

For detailed insights into each course, delve deeper below. If you have any queries or need further information, don't hesitate to reach out.

OSINT-1: Structured Search and Deep-Web Training for KYC & EDD

Duration Options: 1 day, 2 days, or 3 evenings

Our OSINT-1 course is meticulously designed to equip professionals with advanced skills in structured search and deep-web exploration, specifically tailored for Know Your Customer (KYC) and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) processes. This intensive training program is essential for those involved in compliance, financial crime investigation, and risk management, particularly within a bank’s financial crime unit.

  • Advanced Search Strategies: Develop advanced search strategies to optimise information retrieval, including the use of Boolean operators, specialized search engines, and databases relevant to financial crime investigation.

    Deep-Web Exploration: This module focuses on leveraging deep-web resources to uncover data and gather critical intelligence that is not indexed by traditional search engines for KYC and EDD purposes.

    Compliance with EU Directives: Understand the implications of the EU 4th Directive on Anti-Money Laundering, which requires reinforced due diligence methods and ongoing monitoring of high-risk business relationships. This course trains analysts to meet these regulatory requirements through the use of OSINT techniques for continuous monitoring and alerting of potential issues.

    Sophisticated Threat Detection: As criminal enterprises become more sophisticated, this course will teach you how to see behind convincing facades and capture clear evidence of hidden red flags that do not appear on third-party systems.

  • This course is designed for professionals in financial institutions, particularly those involved in Know Your Customer (KYC) and Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD). It is ideal for compliance officers, analysts, investigators, and risk management professionals who need to enhance their skills in using OSINT techniques to uncover critical information and mitigate risks in financial crime investigations.

  • The course is entirely practical, using real-life examples of past and current cases to demonstrate the application of OSINT techniques. Attendees will learn how to use these methodologies in their daily workflows, uncovering significant red flags that may not appear in systems such as WorldCheck and World Compliance.

    By the end of this course, participants will have a deep understanding of how to effectively utilise structured search and deep-web techniques to enhance their KYC and EDD processes.

    This training will empower professionals to uncover hidden risks, make informed decisions, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

OSINT-2: Advanced OSINT training - Track Ultimate Beneficial Ownership

Duration: 1 day intensive

Recent legislative changes in Europe and the USA have placed a significant emphasis on identifying the "ultimate beneficial ownership" (UBO) of legal entities. The EU 4th Directive on Money Laundering and the FinCEN CDD ruling mandate financial institutions to have detailed knowledge of the individuals who ultimately control any entity with which they have a client or investment relationship.

Prerequisite: It is imperative that all attendees have participated in the initial OSINT-1 training. This foundational training is necessary to ensure attendees have the skills required for this advanced OSINT masterclass.

  • Master Advanced OSINT Techniques: Develop advanced search methodologies for static, edited, and dynamic content. Learn to navigate the deep web, access corporate information across multiple geographies and languages, and use tracking techniques to link entities across offshore jurisdictions.

    Conduct Complex Investigations: Harness proven intelligence processes and methodologies to conduct complex investigations on individuals and corporations. Uncover opaque links, map complex offshore structures, and identify hidden connections and ownerships.

    Enhance Risk Management and Compliance: Understand and comply with today's regulatory requirements, such as the EU 4th Directive on Anti-Money Laundering and FinCEN CDD ruling. Learn to implement reinforced due diligence methods, ongoing monitoring, and horizon scanning to mitigate risks and protect against financial crime.

  • This advanced course is aimed at investigators and analysts within financial crime units, AML and KYC teams in banks, and financial service providers.

    It is specifically tailored for professionals who have completed foundational OSINT training and are seeking to deepen their expertise in uncovering ultimate beneficial ownership and complex offshore corporate structures.

  • The course is highly practical, using real-life examples to demonstrate how to track and understand complex offshore corporate structures. Participants will conduct professionally structured searches of legally accessible surface and deep web sources to uncover relevant leads.

    The closing session involves an intensive, hands-on enhanced due diligence exercise. Attendees will formulate their reports using the skills learned, ensuring they can apply these techniques in their day-to-day.

    By the end of this course, participants will be equipped with advanced OSINT skills necessary to uncover ultimate beneficial ownership and track complex corporate structures. This training empowers professionals to identify hidden risks, ensure regulatory compliance, and defend their organisations against sophisticated financial crimes.

OSINT-3: Advanced OSINT Training for Trade-Based Money Laundering

Duration: 1 day intensive

Trade-based money laundering (TBML) has emerged as one of the most sophisticated methods used by criminals to launder proceeds of crime and evade sanctions. With over 80-90% of international trade relying on bank-backed trade finance, the FATF estimates that TBML accounts for up to 87% of illicit financial flows, which can include activities ranging from drug trafficking to terrorist financing. The globalization of trade, the rise of digital financial systems, and inadequate regulation and enforcement have fueled the growth of TBML.

Prerequisite: It is imperative that all attendees have participated in the initial OSINT-1 training. This foundational training is necessary to ensure attendees have the skills required for this advanced OSINT masterclass.

Note: The case studies used in this course are live, and attendees are required to abide by Chatham House rules.

  • Understanding TBML Risks: Learn about the key factors driving TBML, including globalisation, digital financial systems, and regulatory gaps. Understand the significant reputational, regulatory, and legal risks faced by banks and shippers.

    Regulatory Requirements: Gain insights into the EU's Anti-Money Laundering Directives, which mandate 'reinforced due diligence methods' and prioritise training in new techniques and technologies. Learn how to meet these requirements and avoid purposeful indifference.

    Ongoing Monitoring: Learn to implement OSINT techniques for the ongoing monitoring of business relationships with higher-risk clients. Develop the skills needed to alert potential issues and ensure compliance with increased regulatory responsibilities.

  • This course targets risk management professionals, compliance officers, analysts, and investigators in banks and shipping companies. It is designed for those responsible for managing risks associated with international trade finance and combating trade-based money laundering (TBML).

    Participants will learn advanced OSINT techniques to detect and mitigate the risks posed by sophisticated criminal activities in global trade networks.

  • By the end of this course, participants will be equipped with advanced OSINT skills necessary to combat trade-based money laundering, ensure regulatory compliance, and protect their organisations from sophisticated financial crimes. Attendees will leave with practical, actionable skills to uncover hidden risks and red flags in the complex landscape of international trade finance.

    The closing session involves an intensive, hands-on enhanced due diligence exercise focusing on counterparty and reputational risk. Attendees will use their skills individually to generate detailed reports, drawing on information from irregular and foreign language sources, and addressing specific “lack of information” issues to reveal why seemingly "squeaky clean" entities may not be as they appear.

    This training empowers professionals to apply these techniques in their day-to-day operations.

OSINT-4: Advanced OSINT training - Track ultimate beneficial ownership.

Duration: 1 day intensive

Recent changes in financial crime legislation and increasing regulation against bribery and corruption have placed significant legal pressure on corporations. Ensuring the reputational quality of partners, suppliers, and customers is critical, with senior management being held accountable for their teams' ability to conduct enhanced due diligence investigations that withstand regulatory and legal scrutiny. This course equips participants with advanced OSINT techniques to gather and analyse crucial intelligence on individuals and companies suspected of engaging in illicit activities, thereby protecting their organisations from the risks of bribery and corruption.

Prerequisite: It is imperative that all attendees have participated in the initial OSINT-1 training. This foundational training is necessary to ensure attendees have the skills required for this advanced OSINT masterclass.

  • Advanced OSINT Techniques: Master techniques tailored specifically for identifying and investigating bribery and corruption. Learn how to leverage open-source intelligence—from social media platforms to deep web sources—to gather crucial intelligence on individuals and entities suspected of engaging in illicit financial activities.

    Navigating Regulatory Challenges and Legal Pressures: Explore recent changes in financial crime legislation and heightened regulation against bribery and corruption. Understand the legal obligations and pressures on corporates to ensure reputational integrity and conduct enhanced due diligence investigations that withstand regulatory scrutiny and legal challenges.

    Practical Application in Complex Investigations: Engage in practical sessions using real-life examples and current case studies. Develop proficiency in conducting professionally structured searches of legally accessible surface and deep web sources. Practice information verification and timeline analysis to enhance investigative accuracy and efficiency.

  • This intensive one-day course is tailored for professionals across various sectors, including banks, asset managers, regulators, compliance officers, MLROs, analysts, investigators, and risk management professionals.

    Participants should possess foundational knowledge of OSINT techniques and prior experience in financial crime investigations or compliance roles.

    The training is ideal for those seeking advanced skills in combating bribery and corruption through enhanced OSINT capabilities.Corporate Security Teams

  • This course is highly practical, using real-life examples to demonstrate how to identify and mitigate risks associated with bribery and corruption. Participants will conduct professionally structured searches of legally accessible surface and deep web sources to uncover relevant leads and significant red flags that do not appear on third-party systems.

    The culminating session will immerse all attendees in an extensive, hands-on exercise focused on one of the most significant and enduring corporate bribery scandals of the 21st century. This exercise will challenge participants to apply their acquired skills to meticulously investigate and report on complex scenarios, ensuring they are prepared to tackle real-world challenges with confidence.

    By course completion, participants will possess advanced OSINT capabilities essential for combating bribery and corruption. This training empowers professionals to unearth concealed risks, ensure regulatory adherence, and safeguard their organisations from sophisticated financial malfeasance, equipping them to effectively apply these techniques in their professional undertakings.

OSINT-5: Advanced OSINT training - KYC for Crypto

Duration Options: 1 day intensive

The proliferation of cryptocurrencies has ushered in a new era of financial transactions, presenting unique challenges and opportunities for regulatory compliance and risk management. Governments worldwide are intensifying efforts to regulate digital currencies to safeguard investors and ensure the integrity of financial markets. The course delves into the evolving regulatory landscape, focusing on the stringent anti-money laundering (AML) measures proposed by the European Commission under AMLD6. This includes the supervision of virtual asset service providers (VASPs) to combat illicit financial activities such as money laundering and terrorism financing.

Prerequisite: It is imperative that all attendees have participated in the initial OSINT-1 training. This foundational training is necessary to ensure attendees have the skills required for this advanced OSINT masterclass.

  • Advanced OSINT Techniques: Master techniques tailored specifically for identifying and investigating illicit financial activities such as money laundering and terrorism financing within the crypto ecosystem.

    Navigating Regulatory Complexity: Explore the evolving frameworks for cryptocurrencies, including upcoming directives like AMLD6, and delve into the role of the Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) in supervising Virtual Asset Service Providers (VASPs). Analyze how regulatory pressures intersect with financial crime risks within the crypto ecosystem, with a focus on emerging methods of obfuscation and the challenges of compliance.

    Identifying Red Flags: Develop expertise in identifying and mitigating various types of crypto-related financial crimes, including money laundering and terrorism financing. Acquire skills to detect both overt and covert indicators of illicit activities, including the verification of static metadata and personal identifiable information (PII) across multiple jurisdictions.

  • This course is essential for professionals in banks, asset management firms, regulatory bodies, and financial crime investigation units. It is particularly relevant for MLROs, KYC analysts, and investigators tasked with enhancing due diligence practices and ensuring compliance within the dynamic and rapidly evolving crypto ecosystem.

  • Participants will gain practical insights into conducting enhanced due diligence within the crypto ecosystem, using real-life examples to navigate the complexities of digital KYC procedures. Through structured searches of both surface and deep web sources, attendees will uncover critical information that may not be readily disclosed by clients. The course emphasizes the identification of both overt red flags and subtle 'infrared' flags, preparing professionals to apply these skills directly in their daily investigative practices.