Background: On behalf of an international investment bank, we investigated the operations of a Russian state-owned entity (SOE) in the extractives sector in Southern Africa.​

 

Results: We uncovered sanctions violations, ties with local intelligence, abusive labor practices, and corruption. Our work allowed the client to make an informed investment decision.

Background: On behalf of an international law firm, we conducted a months-long OSINT and HUMINT investigation tracing the assets of several state-owned entities in West Africa. 

 

Results: Our work uncovered millions of dollars of assets held by related entities. The client was able to leverage this intelligence to obtain seizure orders in various courts.

Background: On behalf of an international private equity investor, we investigated a Middle Eastern fintech operating in West Africa ahead of a multi-million dollar capital injection.

 

Results: Through confidential inquiries with government and business sources across two countries, we established a complete picture of the company's local and international track record, reputation, and performance, allowing the client to make an informed investment decision.

Background: On behalf of an investor, we collected HUMINT on a prominent CEO active in the healthcare sector with connections to arms deals in Africa.

 

Results: We conducted interviews with trusted business and government sources in the Middle East and Southern Africa. We also provided a geopolitical analysis of the African country's operating environment and how the subject's connections to the political class affected his standing in the local business community.We found that despite the subject's connections to controversial industries, his business reputation remained fairly neutral. Our insights permitted the client to make an informed investment decision.

Background: For an international investor in the pharmaceutical and medical device sector, we conducted an investigation into an investment target based in the MENA region and operating internationally.

 

Results: Our work disclosed regulatory violations in the target firm's overseas operations; allegations of criminal conduct and open litigation in the firm's home country; and, allegations of involvement in a major international corruption scandal in another Middle Eastern country by the firm's overseas subsidiary. The client ultimately declined to proceed with the transaction.

​

Background: For an international defense sector firm, we collected HUMINT on a competitor's bid to merge with a Latin American, publicly-held defense sector firm.

 

Results: We mapped key players' interests and sourced intelligence from high-ranking sources, including sources close to the president. Our insights on constraints and conditions for the deal allowed the client to formulate a competitive strategy.

Background: On behalf of an international bank considering a partnership with a Central American bank, we conducted an extensive HUMINT investigation across two countries. We provided strategic insights into geopolitical risks affecting the key players in both countries. 

​

Results: We uncovered extensive allegations of  corruption and details of complex money laundering schemes. Months after our investigation, the US DOJ charged the bank in question with criminal offenses related to money laundering. 

Background: For an international investment firm, we conducted pre-investment due diligence in four countries across Latin America and Europe. Our investigation involved an international team and over 20 interviews with sources as well as field investigations in public records repositories.

​

Results: We provided extensive context and risk analysis of findings including on the likelihood of future regulatory and litigation risks in certain jurisdictions as well as the influence of political considerations on regulatory actions. Armed with our intelligence, the client structured their multi-million-dollar transaction to minimize risks.

Background: On behalf of an international investor, we conducted confidential source inquiries on an investment fund and its principals who were implicated in a high-profile corruption and money laundering case in Latin America.

 

Results: Our work included interviews with well-placed, local sources in industry and government. While we found some indications of potential irregularities, we also uncovered strong indicia of political motivations driving the very public investigation against the subjects. We provided an analysis of the geopolitical context surrounding the key government players and their motivations as well as the strategic implications for the subjects and their key business rival who was spearheading a public campaign to implicate them in wrongdoing.  Our work permitted the client to make an informed decision and structure the transaction to mitigate the risks involved.