OSINT in Investigations: Fraud Detection, Threat Hunting, and Law Enforcement

Open-source intelligence (OSINT) has been a powerful tool in fraud investigations, threat hunting, and law enforcement for many years. From tracking financial fraudsters through social media footprints to identifying cyber threats with public data analysis, OSINT enables investigators to uncover critical insights and provides insights to facilitate making decisions based on true intelligence. For instance, law enforcement agencies leverage OSINT to monitor criminal networks, locate fugitives, and prevent security threats.

While these formal applications demonstrate OSINT’s power, they represent only a fraction of its potential uses. OSINT techniques can be applied to almost any everyday situation, from researching companies before job interviews, to verifying vacation rental properties, finding the best deals on products, or even reconnecting with old friends. The approach to analyzing publicly available information has practical value far beyond professional investigations.

The application of OSINT has transformed how investigations are conducted across various sectors. While traditional methods rely heavily on proprietary information and closed sources, OSINT techniques provide investigators with a wealth of publicly available data that can be collected, analyzed, and utilized without special access or permissions. This accessibility, combined with a solid methodology, makes OSINT a cornerstone of modern investigative practices.

Before exploring deeper, it’s important to understand how OSINT fits into the broader investigative context and the relationship between investigations, intelligence, and evidence.

Investigations are structured inquiries focused on discovering facts and relationships related to an incident or activity. Intelligence is information having been analyzed and contextualized to support decision-making. Evidence represents facts or information that can be used to establish proof in legal proceedings. While all three concepts overlap, OSINT methodologies can contribute to each area differently. For instance, OSINT activities might not only produce intelligence, but, when properly documented and verified, can become admissible evidence in many legal jurisdictions.

As previously mentioned, OSINT techniques and methodologies can extend across countless domains, from business intelligence and academic research to journalism and personal safety. The versatility of open-source intelligence makes it valuable in any context where publicly available information can support decision-making. While the applications are nearly limitless, some of the most common investigative uses include the three areas outlined below.

Fraud Investigations: Following the Money

Financial crime investigators utilize OSINT to trace digital footprints and identify connections between entities. This process involves examining social media profiles, business registries, property records, and financial disclosures to detect potentially fraudulent activities. For instance, an investigator might start by looking at the social media profiles of a suspect and their associates. They could notice patterns in lifestyle that don’t match reported incomes. Next, they might examine business registries and find that the suspect’s company is linked to several shell corporations. By analyzing property records, the investigator could uncover that the suspect owns several high-value properties under different names. Finally, financial disclosures might reveal inconsistencies in reported earnings and actual expenditures.

An example of this in action is during an investigation into a suspected Ponzi scheme. The investigator uses OSINT to map out the suspect’s online presence, discovering several promotional posts about high-yield investment opportunities. Further digging into business registries shows that these investment companies are not registered or are linked to shell companies. Property records show multiple luxury properties linked to the suspect, which are disproportionate to their declared income. Financial disclosures help triangulate the discrepancy, painting a clearer picture of fraud.

Threat Hunting: Identifying Risks

Cybersecurity professionals leverage OSINT techniques to identify potential threats before they materialize. This involves monitoring malicious hacker forums, analyzing leaked data, tracking threat actor behaviors, and evaluating an organization’s external security posture.

For instance, consider a cybersecurity team working for a major financial institution. They might use OSINT to monitor deep web and dark web forums where cybercriminals discuss their activities and plans. By gathering intelligence from these sources, the team can identify emerging threats, such as a new malware variant targeting critical banking applications.

Additionally, intelligence analysts might analyze data from previous breaches to understand the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) used by attackers. This analysis can include indicators of compromise (IOCs) that can be used to bolster the institution’s defenses. For example, if the team discovers attackers often exploit a specific software vulnerability, they can provide intelligence to network and application security teams to help prioritize patching the vulnerability across all systems.

In another scenario, the team could track the behavior of a known threat actor by examining their social media profiles and online activities. By understanding their motivations and targets, the team can anticipate future attacks and implement appropriate countermeasures.

Law Enforcement Applications: Building Cases Responsibly

Law enforcement agencies use OSINT to support investigations while navigating legal and ethical boundaries. This work can take many forms, from locating persons of interest and mapping criminal networks to gathering pre-warrant intelligence. By analyzing information, officers can identify patterns and connections that might not be visible through traditional investigative methods.

For example, in a missing person case, law enforcement might start by examining the individual’s digital footprint. Investigators can track social media activity to identify recent locations, discover connections through online friends and followers, and uncover any posts or messages indicating intent and their state of mind. Additionally, publicly accessible surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras could provide visual evidence of their last known location.

One crucial aspect of investigative OSINT is understanding when and how intelligence can be transformed into admissible evidence. Not all intelligence is suitable for presentation in legal proceedings. Investigators must carefully document the chain of custody, collection methodology, and verification steps to ensure findings can withstand scrutiny in formal proceedings. The transition from OSINT-derived intelligence to evidence requires meticulous attention to legal standards and proper chain of custody and handling standards.

As you continue exploring OSINTNexus, you’ll find more detailed content about investigative techniques, tools, and methodologies specific to each domain. Whether you’re working in fraud investigation, threat hunting, or law enforcement, understanding the specialized applications of OSINT will enhance your capabilities as an investigator.

For deeper insights into investigative OSINT methodologies, consider exploring these valuable resources:

ACFE Fraud Examiners Manual

SANS Digital Forensics and Incident Response Blog

National White Collar Crime Center (NW3C) Training Resources