Due Diligence Download

Episod

• 
  Introducing Due Diligence Download 11.09.2025 1min

  Due Diligence Download is the newest independent podcast for Risk and Compliance professionals. Hosted by two seasoned female industry experts, the engaging conversations focus on corporate investigations and DD. The show is full of stories, case studies, research and investigation techniques, industry secrets, and gaps no one else talks about. And admittedly, quite a few jokes and puns. Due Diligence Download demystifies complex processes and busts industry myths in a light and accessible way. Compliance Pros- it’s your new favourite weekly podcast!
• 
  The One With The Complexity Of Names 25.09.2025 30min

  Episode 1: The One on the complexity of names. What’s in a name? More than you might think. In the very first episode of Due Diligence Download, Sylwia and Amritha pull back the curtain on one of the biggest—and most overlooked—challenges in corporate investigations: names. From FBI indictments gone wrong, to the pitfalls of transliteration, to the cultural nuances of Arabic and Russian naming conventions, we explore why names can’t be taken at face value in compliance work. Plus, we look at how Natural Language Processing (NLP) and AI are reshaping the way investigators handle name-based searches. Tune in to the full episode to uncover the stories behind names in investigations. Do you have stories of your own, thoughts, or questions on the topic? Share them with us - we would love to hear from you. Resources & Links https://www.occrp.org/en/news/us-imprisoned-head-of-a-bogus-un-agency-using-the-name-of-his-twin https://howmany-ofme.com/ https://www.bernama.com/en/news.php?id=1867400 https://www.hyperscience.ai/resource/natural-language-processing/ https://www.icij.org/investigations/panama-papers/20160403-putin-russia-offshore-network/ https://www.occrp.org/en/project/the-troika-laundromat/sergei-roldugin Sponsors: We’re proudly independent - but we partner with companies who share our passion for smarter due diligence and investigations. A Data Pro turns global data into actionable intelligence. For over 26 years, we have helped decision-makers in risk, compliance, and communications with tailored solutions. Our three core divisions deliver measurable impact: Risk Intelligence strengthens compliance and KYC/AML programmes through due diligence, sanctions lists, UBO tracing, and PEP/SEP screening; Media Intelligence equips PR, marketing, and executives with insights on reputation, crises, competitors, influencers, and trends; and Data Solutions provide clean, structured data for automation and AI. With 500+ multilingual specialists across 80+ jurisdictions, we catch risks before they catch up to you—helping your business act confidently and proactively. Find out more here - https://adata.pro/ Every Decision Carries Risk. Managing it requires more than surface-level checks. At The Search Group (TSG), we deliver specialist due diligence and risk intelligence through a global network of expert hubs, combining deep local insight with global perspective. For over 15 years we have supported clients across 100+ jurisdictions with Compliance reviews, Pre-transaction due diligence,Investigations and Ethics advisory.Our tailored research transforms complexity into clarity and risk into opportunity – empowering confident, informed decisions. Discover how TSG can support your next big move at www.thesearchgroup.com. Follow us here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dddpodcast/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@duediligencedownload Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/duediligencedownload/ Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your friends, family and colleagues who live and breathe ethics & compliance or just love a good investigative story.
• 
  The One With All The Data Sources. 30.09.2025 32min

  More data doesn’t always mean better data. Or does it? In this episode of Due Diligence Download, Sylwia and Amritha dig into one of the biggest blind spots in compliance and investigations: figuring out which sources you can actually trust. From Wirecard’s spectacular collapse to the hidden traps of relying only on structured data, we unpack the difference between numbers that look neat on paper and the messy reality and context you find in unstructured sources - emails, whistleblowers, local media, even social chatter. Along the way, we explore why misinformation and malinformation make the job harder, and the importance of combining technology with human judgment so as to turn raw data into real intelligence. Tune in to find out how to spot the red flags at the end of the data rainbow. Got your own data sources war stories? Share them with us, and we might feature them in a future episode! Resources & Links https://www.ft.com/wirecard https://hbr.org/2023/06/your-data-strategy-needs-to-include-everyone https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbooksauthors/2023/10/16/too-much-data-not-enough-insights/ https://www.fca.org.uk/news/press-releases/fca-fines-barclays-%C2%A372-million-poor-handling-financial-crime-risks https://news.mit.edu/2018/study-twitter-false-news-travels-faster-true-stories-0308 https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2019/10/16/what-is-unstructured-data-and-why-is-it-so-important-to-businesses-an-easy-explanation-for-anyone/ Sponsors We’re proudly independent but we partner with companies that share our passion for smarter due diligence and investigations. The Search Group- Every Decision Carries Risk. Managing it requires more than surface-level checks. At The Search Group (TSG), we deliver specialist due diligence and risk intelligence through a global network of expert hubs, combining deep local insight with global perspective. For over 15 years we have supported clients across 100+ jurisdictions with Compliance reviews, Pre-transaction due diligence,Investigations and Ethics advisory.Our tailored research transforms complexity into clarity and risk into opportunity – empowering confident, informed decisions. Discover how TSG can support your next big move at www.thesearchgroup.com. Ground Truth Intelligence (GTI) is a platform designed to simplify third-party risk management. GTI solves the three core TPRM challenges: unclear program design, fragmented execution across multiple providers, and poor system integration. Their all-in-one platform handles everything from screening to deep-dive in-country investigations through one annual fee – supporting more consistent, transparent and efficient risk management. With coverage across 250+ jurisdictions and 2,500+ human intelligence sources, compliance and risk teams get the optimal blend of human insight and AI efficiency. Learn more at gtintel.io. Follow us here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dddpodcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@duediligencedownload Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/duediligencedownload/ Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your friends, family and colleagues who live and breathe ethics & compliance or just love a good investigative story.
• 
  The One About The Power Of Site Visits. 06.10.2025 33min

  What if everything on paper looked perfect but the truth on the ground told a different story? In this episode of Due Diligence Download, Sylwia and Amritha dig into one of the most powerful and sometimes misunderstood tools in corporate investigations: the site visit. From government-funded “ghost” road projects to fake factory façades and tender-rigging schemes hiding in plain sight, they reveal how a simple visit can uncover what no spreadsheet or satellite image ever could. You’ll learn: - What a site visit actually is (and the different types: open, covert, internal, external) - Why Google Maps alone won’t lead you down the right path - Who really carries them out (hint: not James Bond) - The legal, ethical, and safety lines every professional must respect - Real-world case studies where on-the-ground verification exposed fraud, sanctions risk, and political associations Whether you’re a compliance officer, investigator, or simply someone who loves a good “the truth is out there” story, this episode shows why boots on the ground still matter in a digital world. 🎧 Tune in to find out what’s really happening beyond the glossy reports and how one site visit can change everything. Got your own field or site visit mystery? Share it with us and we might feature it in a future episode! Resources and links: https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/china-green-agricultures-imaginary-fertilizer-production-and-vanishing-cash-2014-10-01 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2011-04-26/wall-street-scion-lost-in-china-agritech-as-shorts-cry-scam- https://toolkit.bii.co.uk/investment-cycle/cdc-guidance/site-visits/ https://legal.thomsonreuters.com/en/insights/articles/due-diligence-business-investigations-checklist Sponsors We’re proudly independent - but we partner with companies who share our passion for smarter due diligence and investigations. A Data Pro turns global data into actionable intelligence. For over 26 years, we have helped decision-makers in risk, compliance, and communications with tailored solutions. Our three core divisions deliver measurable impact: Risk Intelligence strengthens compliance and KYC/AML programmes through due diligence, sanctions lists, UBO tracing, and PEP/SEP screening; Media Intelligence equips PR, marketing, and executives with insights on reputation, crises, competitors, influencers, and trends; and Data Solutions provide clean, structured data for automation and AI. With 500+ multilingual specialists across 80+ jurisdictions, we catch risks before they catch up to you—helping your business act confidently and proactively. Find out more here - https://adata.pro/ Ground Truth Intelligence (GTI) is a platform designed to simplify third-party risk management. GTI solves the three core TPRM challenges: unclear program design, fragmented execution across multiple providers, and poor system integration. Their all-in-one platform handles everything from screening to deep-dive in-country investigations through one annual fee – supporting more consistent, transparent and efficient risk management. With coverage across 250+ jurisdictions and 2,500+ human intelligence sources, compliance and risk teams get the optimal blend of human insight and AI efficiency. Learn more at gtintel.io. Follow us here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dddpodcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@duediligencedownload Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/duediligencedownload/ Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your friends, family and colleagues who live and breathe ethics & compliance or just love a good investigative story.
• 
  The One with Katie, the Girl Spy 14.10.2025 36min

  Meet the real-life “girl spy.” In this episode of Due Diligence Download, Sylwia and Amritha step into the shadows with Katie Frodsham, CEO of National Security News, who’s spent nearly 20 years conducting both overt and covert investigations - from boardrooms to back alleys. Katie takes us inside the secret world of undercover work - guts, grit and a few gadgets! She shares jaw-dropping stories from her career working on some of the world’s biggest cases of fraud and corruption,including an 18-month infiltration of a dangerous cult, and reflects on the ethics, risks, and mental resilience that define life undercover. Tune in to discover how the “girl spy” decides when to stay visible, when to disappear, and what it truly takes to expose hidden truths and uncover crime. Resources and links: https://nationalsecuritynews.com/about-us/ https://www.theabi.org.uk/news/understanding-undercover-operations https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/computer-science/undercover-investigation Follow us here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dddpodcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@duediligencedownload Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/duediligencedownload/ Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your friends, family and colleagues who live and breathe ethics & compliance or just love a good investigative story.
• 
  The One With Hidden Jets and How To Trace Them 21.10.2025 19min

  Hidden fortunes. Offshore trails. Unanswered questions. Every major investigation eventually comes down to one thing: who really owns what? In this episode, Sylwia Wołos and Amritha Edachery unpack the world of asset tracing and the meticulous craft of following money through shell companies, bank accounts, and digital trails to uncover what others try to hide.You’ll learn: What asset tracing actually means (and why it’s not just about bank accounts) How investigators connect property, corporate, and digital clues The biggest challenges such as secrecy jurisdictions to data barriers How AI, blockchain analytics, and digital forensics are transforming the field A real-world look at a UK Unexplained Wealth Order (UWO) Resources and links: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/9/20/how-a-bangladesh-minister-spent-more-than-500m-on-luxury-property https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/6/11/uk-crime-agency-freezes-assets-of-disgraced-sheikh-hasina-ally https://baselgovernance.org/sites/default/files/2019-01/tracing_illegal_assets_EN.pdf https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/350d0740-92ae-5045-bfc4-3b64964b3fb0/content https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/unexplained-wealth-orders-2023-to-2024-annual-report/unexplained-wealth-orders-2023-to-2024-annual-report https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/sep/07/moneyland-oliver-bullough-review Sponsors: Ground Truth Intelligence (GTI) is a platform designed to simplify third-party risk management. GTI solves the three core TPRM challenges: unclear program design, fragmented execution across multiple providers, and poor system integration. Their all-in-one platform handles everything from screening to deep-dive in-country investigations through one annual fee – supporting more consistent, transparent and efficient risk management. With coverage across 250+ jurisdictions and 2,500+ human intelligence sources, compliance and risk teams get the optimal blend of human insight and AI efficiency. Learn more at gtintel.io. The Search Group- Every Decision Carries Risk. Managing it requires more than surface-level checks. At The Search Group (TSG), we deliver specialist due diligence and risk intelligence through a global network of expert hubs, combining deep local insight with global perspective. For over 15 years we have supported clients across 100+ jurisdictions with Compliance reviews, Pre-transaction due diligence,Investigations and Ethics advisory.Our tailored research transforms complexity into clarity and risk into opportunity – empowering confident, informed decisions. Discover how TSG can support your next big move at www.thesearchgroup.com. Follow us here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dddpodcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@duediligencedownload Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/duediligencedownload/ Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your friends, family and colleagues who live and breathe ethics & compliance or just love a good investigative story.
• 
  The One About Beneficial Owners 28.10.2025 32min

  Every investigation, from corruption cases to sanctions busting, eventually leads to one critical question: Who’s really behind it all? In this episode of Due Diligence Download, Sylwia and Amritha explore the world of Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO) - the people who truly control companies, assets, and money flows, no matter how many shell layers or offshore addresses are in between. It begins with an unbelievable FBI case that exposed how little we sometimes know about who really owns what. From there, the hosts unpack the tangled web of hidden ownership and the global push for transparency. You’ll learn: What a UBO really is and why the “25 percent ownership rule” doesn’t always work. Why UBOs matter for compliance, risk management, and even national security. How criminals hide behind nominees, trusts, and offshore layers, and how investigators follow the money anyway. The biggest red flags that signal something’s off, including secrecy jurisdictions, complex shareholding, and evasive owners. How investigators and regulators are fighting back, from FATF standards to new transparency laws. Practical steps for identifying true ownership and keeping due diligence meaningful, not mechanical. Resources&Links https://news.mongabay.com/2011/08/fbi-questioned-over-ties-with-corrupt-official/ https://www.fatf-gafi.org/content/dam/fatf-gafi/guidance/Best-Practices-Beneficial-Ownership-Legal-Persons.pdf https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/opendemocracyuk/uk-may-ditch-plans-to-stop-fraudsters-using-fake-names-to-run-businesses/ https://www.transparency.org/en/campaigns/global-standards-fatf-beneficial-ownership-transparency https://www.occrp.org/interactives/dubai-unlocked/en/ https://www.icij.org/investigations/panama-papers/ https://www.icij.org/investigations/paradise-papers/ Sponsors We’re proudly independent - but we partner with companies who share our passion for smarter due diligence and investigations. Ethixbase360: Confident decisions, powered by people and platform Market-leading third-party risk management platform combining smart automation, expert-led due diligence, and responsive support to deliver a clear, connected view of global third-party risk. Deploy a third-party risk management program that grows with your organization – from a single function to enterprise-wide coverage. Empower faster, smarter decisions with the data and insights trusted by global leaders. Gain a unified, real-time view of your third-party risk landscape — with built-in insight, and audit readiness. Maximize efficiency and performance with dedicated, expert support designed to save time, reduce costs, and strengthen your program. Learn more at ethixbase360.com. A Data Pro turns global data into actionable intelligence. For over 26 years, we have helped decision-makers in risk, compliance, and communications with tailored solutions. Our three core divisions deliver measurable impact: Risk Intelligence strengthens compliance and KYC/AML programmes through due diligence, sanctions lists, UBO tracing, and PEP/SEP screening; Media Intelligence equips PR, marketing, and executives with insights on reputation, crises, competitors, influencers, and trends; and Data Solutions provide clean, structured data for automation and AI. With 500+ multilingual specialists across 80+ jurisdictions, we catch risks before they catch up to you—helping your business act confidently and proactively. Find out more here - https://adata.pro/
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  The One Where We Explore High-Risk Jurisdictions 04.11.2025 44min

  Every risk professional dreams of clean data and open registries until they try to access them in a high-risk jurisdiction. In this episode of Due Diligence Download, Sylwia and Amritha go behind the curtain of high-risk jurisdictions where the paper trail might look perfect, but the truth is buried under bureaucracy, politics, and silence. From so-called “digital” registries that aren’t accessible online and may or may not exist on paper to conflicting filings and “missing” records, they unpack what high-risk really means from a due diligence & investigations’ perspective (hint: it’s not always what the FATF list says). Along the way, they explore why business still thrives in opaque markets, how to work ethically and safely when information is scarce, and why context and human intelligence (HUMINT) often reveal more than any database ever could. Tune in to hear how risk, ethics, and compliance teams make sense of the gaps, the silences, and the stories hidden behind “public” information. Resources & Links https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/apr/17/ey-ordered-pay-whistleblower-11m-dubai-gold-audit-case https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/rolls-royce-plc-agrees-pay-170-million-criminal-penalty-resolve-foreign-corrupt-practices-act https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/jan/31/airbus-to-pay-record-3bn-in-fines-for-endemic-corruption https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/topics/business-management/slapps-and-reputational-risks https://dialogue.earth/en/justice/in-thailand-slapp-laws-are-silencing-environmental-journalists-and-activists/ https://www.fatf-gafi.org/en/countries/black-and-grey-lists.html Sponsors: We’re proudly independent - but we partner with companies who share our passion for smarter due diligence and investigations. Control Risks has combined the best of human and tech-enabled intelligence to help clients make confident, risk-based decisions and pursue opportunities anywhere in the world. Discover VANTAGE, their award-winning suite of third-party compliance solutions, designed to streamline your compliance processes and protect your business. Visit the link below to find out how VANTAGE can make a difference for you. Link: https://www.controlrisks.com/our-products/vantage?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=26_vantage_group&utm_content=due_diligence_download_podcast A Data Pro turns global data into actionable intelligence. For over 26 years, we have helped decision-makers in risk, compliance, and communications with tailored solutions. Our three core divisions deliver measurable impact: Risk Intelligence strengthens compliance and KYC/AML programmes through due diligence, sanctions lists, UBO tracing, and PEP/SEP screening; Media Intelligence equips PR, marketing, and executives with insights on reputation, crises, competitors, influencers, and trends; and Data Solutions provide clean, structured data for automation and AI. With 500+ multilingual specialists across 80+ jurisdictions, we catch risks before they catch up to you—helping your business act confidently and proactively. Find out more here - https://adata.pro/ Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your friends, family and colleagues who live and breathe ethics & compliance or just love a good investigative story.
• 
  The One Where Alicja Explains OSINT. 11.11.2025 34min

  What can you uncover with nothing more than a laptop, an internet connection, and a healthy dose of curiosity? In this episode of Due Diligence Download, Sylwia and Amritha dive into the fascinating world of Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) with investigator and educator Alicja Pawłowska. From tracking fake baby food gangs and Russian doxxing sites to busting myths about what OSINT really is (hint: it’s not “just Googling”), Alicja shares incredible stories from the field and a few that sound straight out of a spy novel. We unpack the differences between OSINT and HUMINT, explore where the two overlap, and talk about the ethical red lines every investigator should know. Plus: how social media, satellite imagery, and AI are transforming modern investigations, and what skills will define the next generation of digital sleuths. Resources & Links Alicja’s newsletter: https://www.alicjapawlowska.com/ Alicja's investigations: https://vsquare.org/crossing-nato-lines-tracing-the-arson-sabotage-russia-gru-explosive-parcel-bombs/ https://vsquare.org/doxing-private-data-russian-weapon-ukraine-central-europe-poland-slovakia-attacks/ Financial Crime Book Club: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12636333/ https://www.bellingcat.com/ https://bellingcat.gitbook.io/toolkit/categories/geolocation https://thecwa.co.uk/read-of-the-month/the-thief-the-wife-and-the-canoe-by-david-leigh/ https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/2024-01/24_0117_ope_resources-for-individuals-on-the-threat-of-doxing-508.pdf https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/13/us-teachers-targeted-by-far-right-in-doxxing-after-charlie-kirks-death https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/mar/28/skripals-poisoned-from-front-door-of-salisbury-home-police-say https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd62v890l5qo https://www.bellingcat.com/resources/2020/12/14/navalny-fsb-methodology/
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  The One With AI in Due Diligence 18.11.2025 42min

  AI is everywhere in compliance platforms, in vendor pitches, in risk tools, and (apparently) in Boris Johnson’s heart. But what does it actually do for due diligence and investigations? In this episode of Due Diligence Download, Amritha and Sylwia break down the reality behind the hype, joined by special guest Maya. Together, they explore how AI is changing corporate investigations, where it genuinely adds value, and the critical areas where humans are still irreplaceable. From evolving regulations (DOJ, EU AI Act, Colorado CAIA) to AI sycophancy, scam farms, dark-web intelligence, and the rise of agentic AI that can act autonomously, this conversation cuts through the noise to focus on what matters for risk and compliance professionals. They also shine a light on one of the industry’s biggest emerging problems: AI washing, when tools claim to be “AI-powered” but rely heavily on humans, or when generative AI quietly makes its way into official reports with… disastrous results. Resources & Links https://www.silenteight.com/blog/ai-washing-in-aml-and-compliance-a-growing-challenge-for-financial-institutions https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-03390-0 https://theaugmentedinvestigator.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips https://www.clydeco.com/en/insights/2025/05/the-fine-print-of-ai-hype-the-legal-risks-of-ai-wa https://www.businessinsider.com/amazons-just-walk-out-actually-1-000-people-in-india-2024-4 https://fortune.com/2025/10/07/deloitte-ai-australia-government-report-hallucinations-technology-290000-refund/ https://www.bloomberglaw.com/external/document/XA09NCM0000000/commercial-comparison-table-eu-ai-act-vs-colorado-s-ai-accountab https://www.youtube.com/shorts/JAVMEs5CG1Y https://www.economist.com/audio/podcasts/scam-inc https://app.sesame.com/ Sponsors: We’re proudly independent - but we partner with companies who share our passion for smarter due diligence and investigations. Control Risks has combined the best of human and tech-enabled intelligence to help clients make confident, risk-based decisions and pursue opportunities anywhere in the world. Discover VANTAGE, their award-winning suite of third-party compliance solutions, designed to streamline your compliance processes and protect your business. Visit www.controlrisks.com/vantage to find out how VANTAGE can make a difference for you. Link: https://www.controlrisks.com/our-products/vantage?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=26_vantage_group&utm_content=due_diligence_download_podcast A Data Pro turns global data into actionable intelligence. For over 26 years, we have helped decision-makers in risk, compliance, and communications with tailored solutions. Our three core divisions deliver measurable impact: Risk Intelligence strengthens compliance and KYC/AML programmes through due diligence, sanctions lists, UBO tracing, and PEP/SEP screening; Media Intelligence equips PR, marketing, and executives with insights on reputation, crises, competitors, influencers, and trends; and Data Solutions provide clean, structured data for automation and AI. With 500+ multilingual specialists across 80+ jurisdictions, we catch risks before they catch up to you—helping your business act confidently and proactively. Find out more here - https://adata.pro/ Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your friends, family and colleagues who live and breathe ethics & compliance or just love a good investigative story.
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  The One About Human Rights Due Diligence 25.11.2025 35min

  Human rights abuses aren’t confined to distant places. They are intricately woven into the global supply chains we depend on every day. In this episode of Due Diligence Download, Sylwia and Amritha break down what Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) truly entails, how it differs from traditional KYC or ABC checks, and why companies must shift their focus from stakeholders to rightsholders. They discuss how human rights abuses frequently occur alongside financial crime, why companies can’t simply “find a problem and walk away,” and how global regulations such as CSRD, CSDDD, US import bans, and legislation in France and Germany are raising the bar for corporate responsibility. From Qatar’s World Cup worksites to fast fashion and labor exploitation across Europe, they examine real investigations that reveal where HRDD succeeds in practice and where it falls short. They also explore how technology, from satellite imagery to worker-voice apps, can support this work. At the same time, they emphasize a simple truth: nothing replaces direct conversations with people and a genuine understanding of local context. This episode offers a clear and unfiltered look at the systems that enable exploitation, and outlines what investigators and companies must do to protect the people at the center of global supply chains. Resources & Links https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/feb/23/revealed-migrant-worker-deaths-qatar-fifa-world-cup-2022 https://www.hrw.org/topic/childrens-rights/child-labor https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leicestershire-67927678 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/30/business/hyundai-child-labor-lawsuit.html https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/10/saudi-arabia-migrants-workers-who-toiled-in-amazon-warehouses-were-deceived-and-exploited/ https://commission.europa.eu/business-economy-euro/doing-business-eu/sustainability-due-diligence-responsible-business/corporate-sustainability-due-diligence_en https://finance.ec.europa.eu/capital-markets-union-and-financial-markets/company-reporting-and-auditing/company-reporting/corporate-sustainability-reporting_en https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/apr/04/how-tiktoks-algorithm-exploits-the-vulnerability-of-children Sponsors We’re proudly independent - but we partner with companies who share our passion for smarter due diligence and investigations. Ethixbase360: Confident decisions, powered by people and platform Market-leading third-party risk management platform combining smart automation, expert-led due diligence, and responsive support to deliver a clear, connected view of global third-party risk. Deploy a third-party risk management program that grows with your organization – from a single function to enterprise-wide coverage. Empower faster, smarter decisions with the data and insights trusted by global leaders. Gain a unified, real-time view of your third-party risk landscape — with built-in insight, and audit readiness. Maximize efficiency and performance with dedicated, expert support designed to save time, reduce costs, and strengthen your program. Learn more at ethixbase360.com A Data Pro turns global data into actionable intelligence. For over 26 years, we have helped decision-makers in risk, compliance, and communications with tailored solutions. Our three core divisions deliver measurable impact: Risk Intelligence strengthens compliance and KYC/AML programmes through due diligence, sanctions lists, UBO tracing, and PEP/SEP screening; Media Intelligence equips PR, marketing, and executives with insights on reputation, crises, competitors, influencers, and trends; and Data Solutions provide clean, structured data for automation and AI. With 500+ multilingual specialists across 80+ jurisdictions, we catch risks before they catch up to you—helping your business act confidently and proactively. Find out more here - https://adata.pro/
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  Bonus Episode: The One Where We Break Down the ABCs of Sanctions 01.12.2025 19min

  A quick, clear primer on what sanctions are, how they work, and why they matter for financial crime and due diligence professionals. On this bonus episode of Due Diligence Download, Sylwia and Amritha break down the main types of sanctions, who issues them, and the difference between targeted and narrative sanctions. We also touch on recent real-world examples and explain why investigators — not just screening tools — are essential for spotting hidden risks and evasion. Perfect if you’re new to sanctions or need a fast refresher. Resources & Links https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-uk-sanctions-list https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/un-sc-consolidated-list https://ofac.treasury.gov https://main.un.org/securitycouncil/en/sanctions/information https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/eu-sanctions-against-russia-stop-war-ukraine_en https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/23/us-sanctions-sudan-after-ruling-chemical-weapons-used-during-civil-war Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your friends, family and colleagues who live and breathe ethics & compliance or just love a good investigative story.
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  The One Where Svetlana Explains Sanctions Investigations 02.12.2025 31min

  In this episode of Due Diligence Download, Sylwia and Amritha go beyond basic sanctions lists and dive into the real investigative work behind detecting sanctions evasion and avoidance. Our guest, Svetlana Djurdjevic -a leading sanctions expert-joins us to break down the fast-moving world of sanctions investigations. We explore where red flags truly come from, how investigators piece together onboarding data, internal records, media checks, and transaction patterns, and why speed and context matter more than ever. Svetlana also shares practical advice for compliance professionals, discusses the global shortage of sanctions expertise, and explains where technology can help (and where only human judgment will do). Resources & Links https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/mar/18/germany-share-tui-russia-alexei-mordashov https://sanctionsmap.eu https://ofac.treasury.gov https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/financial-sanctions-regime-specific-consolidated-lists-and-releases https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/sanctions/information https://nationalsecurityjournal.org/a-top-university-in-russia-is-offering-a-masters-degree-in-sanctions-busting/ Books mentioned in this episode: ‘Breakneck: China's Quest to Engineer the Future’ by Dan Wang ‘Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology’ by Chris Miller Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your friends, family and colleagues who live and breathe ethics & compliance or just love a good investigative story.
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  The One Where We Tie It All Together to Write a Good Report 09.12.2025 35min

  In this season-finale episode of Due Diligence Download, Sylwia and Amritha tackle one of the most underrated skills in investigations and compliance: how to write a clear, defensible, and genuinely useful due diligence and investigations report. Drawing on decades of reviewing (and rewriting!) thousands of EDD and intelligence reports, they break down what makes reporting actually effective — from understanding your audience and filtering irrelevant noise, to structuring findings in a way that enables fast, confident decision-making. They also compare analytical writing with narrative-driven HUMINT reporting, unpack why proportionality matters more than page count, and discuss practical techniques like BLUF, the Pyramid principle, and the classic 5W+H framework. The episode also explores how AI can support (and sometimes undermine) good reporting, and why QA/QC remains the backbone of reliable investigations. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “What does a good EDD report really look like?” — this one’s for you. Resources & Links https://medium.com/lessons-from-mckinsey/the-pyramid-principle-f0885dd3c5c7 https://www.cmu.edu/student-success/other-resources/handouts/comm-supp-pdfs/bluf-topic-sentence.pdf https://airfocus.com/glossary/what-is-the-5ws-1h-framework/ https://asq.org/quality-resources/quality-assurance-vs-control https://oecd.ai/en/ai-principles Sponsors We’re proudly independent - but we partner with companies who share our passion for smarter due diligence and investigations. Ethixbase360: Confident decisions, powered by people and platform . Market-leading third-party risk management platform combining smart automation, expert-led due diligence, and responsive support to deliver a clear, connected view of global third-party risk. Deploy a third-party risk management program that grows with your organization – from a single function to enterprise-wide coverage. Empower faster, smarter decisions with the data and insights trusted by global leaders. Gain a unified, real-time view of your third-party risk landscape — with built-in insight, and audit readiness. Maximize efficiency and performance with dedicated, expert support designed to save time, reduce costs, and strengthen your program. Learn more at ethixbase360.com Control Risks has combined the best of human and tech-enabled intelligence to help clients make confident, risk-based decisions and pursue opportunities anywhere in the world. Discover VANTAGE, their award-winning suite of third-party compliance solutions, designed to streamline your compliance processes and protect your business. Visit https://www.controlrisks.com/our-products/vantage?utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=26_vantage_group&utm_content=due_diligence_download_podcast to find out how VANTAGE can make a difference for you. Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your colleagues, friends, and fellow investigators who care about good reporting, better decisions, and making sense of complex risk.
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  The One with Counterfeit Goods & IP Crime 16.04.2026 39min

  Counterfeit handbags, fake medicines, pirated content - intellectual property crime is everywhere, but it’s still widely misunderstood and underestimated. In this episode of Due Diligence Download, Sylwia and Amritha kick off Season 2 by unpacking intellectual property (IP) crime — what it is, how it works, and why it matters for anyone in due diligence, investigations, or compliance. From billion-dollar counterfeit markets to organised crime networks and serious health risks, this is not just about fake luxury goods, it’s the story about a global criminal economy that’s been thriving under the radar. You’ll learn: What intellectual property actually is and why it’s a critical business asset The difference between counterfeiting, piracy, and broader illicit trade Why IP crime is a predicate offence under frameworks like the Financial Action Task Force The true scale of the problem — from everyday products to a trillion-dollar criminal ecosystem The links between IP crime, organised crime, and exploitation Key red flags investigators should watch for in due diligence Resources & Links https://www.europol.europa.eu/crime-areas/intellectual-property-crime https://www.iipcic.org/ https://www.oecd.org/en/topics/sub-issues/counterfeit-and-pirated-goods.html https://ebrand.com/blog/grey-markets-and-anti-counterfeiting-combining-online-and-offline-investigations https://www.theguardian.com/global/2016/sep/11/the-great-wine-fraud-a-vintage-swindle https://anti-fraud.ec.europa.eu/media-corner/news/eu10-million-worth-illicit-refrigerant-gases-seized-2021-10-19_en https://pod.wave.co/podcast/the-athletic-fc-podcast/the-underground-world-of-fake-football-shirts-0d00ea61 Sponsors We’re proudly independent but we partner with companies who share our passion for smarter due diligence and investigations. A Data Pro turns global data into actionable intelligence. For over 26 years, we have helped decision-makers in risk, compliance, and communications with tailored solutions. Our three core divisions deliver measurable impact: Risk Intelligence strengthens compliance and KYC/AML programmes through due diligence, sanctions lists, UBO tracing, and PEP/SEP screening; Media Intelligence equips PR, marketing, and executives with insights on reputation, crises, competitors, influencers, and trends; and Data Solutions provide clean, structured data for automation and AI. With 500+ multilingual specialists across 80+ jurisdictions, we catch risks before they catch up to you—helping your business act confidently and proactively. Find out more here - https://adata.pro/ JAM Insights delivers human‑driven intelligence you can’t get from screens alone. When conventional OSINT and AI fall short, JAM taps into trusted local sources, on‑the‑ground research, and deep industry assessments to identify hidden risks, reputational red flags, and jurisdiction‑specific issues that matter for high‑stakes due diligence, compliance, and strategic decision‑making. With tailored insights spanning key regions and strict confidentiality, JAM helps clients see what others overlook and act with confidence Find out more: https://www.jam-insights.com Subscribe, leave a review, and share with anyone in risk, compliance, or investigations — or anyone who’s ever been tempted by a “too good to be true” deal!
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  The One on Environmental Crime 22.04.2026 41min

  Illegal gold mining in the Amazon is not just an environmental disaster. It is also a financial crime story. In this episode of Due Diligence Download, Sylwia and Amritha explore how environmental crime moves from remote mining sites into legitimate global markets. From the Elemetal and NTR Metals scandal to a high-profile UAE–DRC gold deal, they break down how illegally mined gold is mixed with legitimate supply, disguised through paperwork, and sold into global markets as clean. They also dig into why environmental crime is now a major predicate offence, how it connects to corruption, organised crime, and money laundering, and what investigators and compliance professionals should be looking for. From dirty gold to clean paperwork, this is the story of how environmental harm gets laundered into business as usual. You’ll learn: What environmental crime actually is and why it’s more than just an environmental issue How illegal resources like gold, timber, and waste are blended into legitimate global supply chains Why environmental crime is a key predicate offence under anti-money laundering frameworks How environmental crime links to organised crime, corruption, and financial systems Key red flags investigators and compliance professionals should watch for in due diligence Resources & Links https://globalinitiative.net/analysis/tracing-opaque-gold-supply-chains-and-deals-central-africa/ https://www.interpol.int/en/Crimes/Environmental-crime https://www.globalforestwatch.org/ https://www.icij.org/investigations/deforestation-inc/ https://glanlaw.org/focus-areas/environment-climate-change/ Sponsors We’re proudly independent but we partner with companies who share our passion for smarter due diligence and investigations. A Data Pro turns global data into actionable intelligence. For over 26 years, we have helped decision-makers in risk, compliance, and communications with tailored solutions. Our three core divisions deliver measurable impact: Risk Intelligence strengthens compliance and KYC/AML programmes through due diligence, sanctions lists, UBO tracing, and PEP/SEP screening; Media Intelligence equips PR, marketing, and executives with insights on reputation, crises, competitors, influencers, and trends; and Data Solutions provide clean, structured data for automation and AI. With 500+ multilingual specialists across 80+ jurisdictions, we catch risks before they catch up to you—helping your business act confidently and proactively. Find out more here - https://adata.pro/ Inquirify is a global risk intelligence partner providing due diligence, OSINT, GSOC and investigative support across complex jurisdictions. Our philosophy is simple: Verify before you trust. We provide clear, actionable insights to protect your business and support growth. Find out more at Inquirify.net Subscribe & Follow Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with anyone in risk, compliance, or investigations — or anyone who still thinks environmental crime is just about trees and turtles!
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  The One Where Becky Takes on Romance Fraud 29.04.2026 49min

  In this episode of Due Diligence Download, Sylwia and Amritha sit down with Becky Holmes, author of Keanu Reeves Is Not in Love With You, to unpack the reality behind romance fraud — one of the most emotionally manipulative and misunderstood financial crimes out there. What starts as funny (and often absurd) interactions with celebrity impersonators quickly reveals something much darker: a global, organised system of deception that blends psychology, technology, and financial crime. You’ll learn: Why romance fraud is not a victimless crime — and why victim stereotypes are dangerously wrong How Becky went from “bored in lockdown” to uncovering repeatable scam scripts, tactics, and patterns The evolution from traditional romance scams to “pig butchering” — where emotional grooming turns into large-scale investment fraud The growing role of AI in fraud, from synthetic personas to scaling deception faster than ever The uncomfortable truth about scam farms, organised crime, and links to human trafficking Where this all intersects with money laundering, mule activity, and the financial system This episode is a reminder that romance fraud isn’t just about fake relationships — it’s a gateway crime that feeds wider criminal networks and exposes serious gaps in how we detect and prevent financial crime. Author profile: Becky Holmes is an author, journalist, speaker and the creator of the popular Twitter/X account @deathtospinach, which exposes fraudsters in humorous ways. In 2020, having been on the receiving end of an annoying number of direct messages from online romance scammers, Becky started to enjoy wasting their time and publicly ‘outing’ their accounts. Six years later she is now a well-known expert on romance fraud, called upon by both professionals and the media. Her first book, Keanu Reeves Is Not in Love with You, received outstanding reviews from critics, journalists, counter-fraud professionals, comedians and everyday readers. Her second book, The Future of Fraud, which examines AI, cryptocurrency, social media and the dark web, hit the shelves in April 2026. She also sometimes writes for The Times about fraud. Becky uses humorous examples of her conversations with online fraudsters to shine a light on the darkest corners of the world of romance fraud. Examining the similarities between romance fraud and domestic abuse, she talks about coercive control and confirmation bias, gaslighting and shame. She also reveals the even lesser-known sides to this crime: human trafficking, voodoo and scammer pyramid schemes. No other woman has had so many online romances – from Keanu Reeves to Brad Pitt to Prince William and she is a firm favourite with brave US peacekeeping soldiers and oil rig workers who desperately need iTunes vouchers or Amazon gift cards. Resources & Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinnordbywest/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-rowe-95323753/ https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/feb/24/destitute-survivors-of-south-east-asias-cyberscam-farms-an-international-crisis https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5yr7j18edjo https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/03/1167144 Becky’s Books: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Keanu-Reeves-Not-Love-You/dp/1789651638 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Future-Fraud-FUTURES-Book-11-ebook/dp/B0GK2RJG9J?ref_=ast_author_dp&th=1&psc=1 Subscribe, leave a review, and share with anyone in risk, compliance, or investigations and share with anyone who thinks they’d never fall for it.
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  The One on CSAM 06.05.2026 39min

  ⚠️ Content Warning: This episode discusses child sexual abuse material (CSAM), online child sexual exploitation, trafficking, and related investigations. Some listeners may find the subject matter distressing. Please take care while listening. In one of the most difficult — and important — episodes we’ve produced, Amritha and Sylwia examine the financial systems, investigative methods, and compliance failures connected to child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and online child sexual exploitation. The episode begins with the takedown of Welcome to Video, once the world’s largest known dark-web CSAM marketplace, uncovered after IRS investigators followed suspicious Bitcoin flows. From blockchain forensics and crypto tracing to dark-web infrastructure and live-streamed abuse, the episode explores how financial intelligence increasingly sits at the centre of these investigations. You’ll learn: why the term “CSAM” matters, how online child exploitation operates financially, the role of crypto and payment systems and the rise of AI-generated abuse material, investigative techniques used by law enforcement, and what the Jeffrey Epstein banking failures reveal about culture, ethics and compliance. Resources & links: BBC World of Secrets (The darkest web): https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct8yw5 https://jacobin.com/2026/02/fbi-epstein-kuchner-whistleblower-silenced https://www.acams.org/en/news/ex-aml-officer-claims-deutsche-fired-her-after-she-flagged-epstein-transactions https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-50073092 https://www.icmec.org/press/new-report-examines-cryptocurrencys-role-in-online-child-sexual-exploitation/ https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/protecting-children/child-sexual-abuse-material-csam-results-from-a-survey-of-perpetrators https://eucrim.eu/news/operation-alice-exposes-fraudulent-csam-platform/ https://www.europol.europa.eu/media-press/newsroom/news/global-crackdown-kidflix-major-child-sexual-exploitation-platform-almost-two-million-users If you or someone you know needs support or wants to report child exploitation material, reporting resources include the NCMEC CyberTipline (US), the Internet Watch Foundation (UK), and INHOPE’s global hotline network. Sponsors: We’re proudly independent but we partner with companies who share our passion for smarter due diligence and investigations. JAM Insights delivers human‑driven intelligence you can’t get from screens alone. When conventional OSINT and AI fall short, JAM taps into trusted local sources, on‑the‑ground research, and deep industry assessments to identify hidden risks, reputational red flags, and jurisdiction‑specific issues that matter for high‑stakes due diligence, compliance, and strategic decision‑making. With tailored insights spanning key regions and strict confidentiality, JAM helps clients see what others overlook and act with confidence Find out more: https://www.jam-insights.com Inquirify is a global risk intelligence partner providing due diligence, OSINT, GSOC and investigative support across complex jurisdictions. Our philosophy is simple: Verify before you trust. We provide clear, actionable insights to protect your business and support growth. Find out more at Inquirify.net Subscribe & Follow Subscribe, leave a review, and share with anyone in risk, compliance or investigations. The more people having these conversations, the harder these networks become to ignore.
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  The One with Terrorist Financing 13.05.2026 40min

  In this episode, Sylwia and Amritha examine terrorist financing — how money moves to support terrorist organisations, why it differs from money laundering, and how ordinary companies can become caught in the middle. You’ll learn: why terrorist financing is about purpose, not just source of funds, how clean money can become criminal depending on where it goes why terrorist financing and money laundering are linked but fundamentally different, how charities, informal value transfer systems, trade and digital payments can be misused, what the Lafarge, Chiquita and Ericsson cases reveal about corporate exposure, what investigators, AML teams and due diligence professionals should look for when assessing terrorist financing risk. Resources & links: FATF – Terrorist financing: https://www.fatf-gafi.org/en/topics/terrorist-financing.html UN Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism: https://treaties.un.org/doc/db/Terrorism/english-18-11.pdf DOJ Lafarge guilty plea: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/lafarge-pleads-guilty-conspiring-provide-material-support-foreign-terrorist-organizations ICIJ Ericsson Files: https://www.icij.org/investigations/ericsson-list/ DOJ Chiquita case: https://www.justice.gov/archive/opa/pr/2007/March/07_nsd_161.html https://www.corporatecomplianceinsights.com/fcpa-changes-terrorist-designations-cartels-latin-america/ https://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/02/12/colombia.chiquita.farc/?hpt=T2 https://www.ecchr.eu/en/case/lafarge-in-syria-accusations-of-complicity-in-grave-human-rights-violations/ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crl1441816po Sponsors: We’re proudly independent but we partner with companies who share our passion for smarter due diligence and investigations. Inquirify is a global risk intelligence partner providing due diligence, OSINT, GSOC and investigative support across complex jurisdictions. Our philosophy is simple: Verify before you trust. We provide clear, actionable insights to protect your business and support growth. Find out more at: https://www.inquirify.net Subscribe & Follow Subscribe, leave a review, and share with anyone in risk, compliance or investigations or anyone who thinks terrorist financing is a remote problem.
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  The One about Bribery & Corruption 20.05.2026 46min

  In this episode, Sylwia and Amritha examine bribery and corruption as predicate offences — the crimes that generate dirty money long before a suspicious transaction alert fires or a sanctions designation lands. They explore why understanding the law is only the starting point, and why geopolitics, local practice, and cultural context are just as essential for anyone working in AML or corporate compliance. You'll learn: why bribery is the only predicate offence with its own dedicated international treaty architecture — and why it made corporate "failure to prevent" a criminal matter before any other crime did how the Unaoil case illustrates the gap between who pays fines and who actually recovers the proceeds of crime what Odebrecht — a Brazilian construction giant that created an entire internal division dedicated to managing bribes across twelve countries — reveals about industrialised corporate corruption and the extraterritorial reach of US law how the Adani case shows what happens when political proximity, offshore structures, and state contracts converge — and why the FCPA pause matters most in precisely these politically sensitive situations why AML and ABC compliance teams are looking at the same risk from opposite ends, and why that gap is exactly where schemes live the three Cs — conduct, connections, and context — and what red flags look like in practice what the UK's December 2025 Anti-Corruption Strategy and new Five Eyes indicators guidance mean for transaction monitoring and third-party due diligence Resources & links: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/pausing-foreign-corrupt-practices-act-enforcement-to-further-american-economic-and-national-security/ https://www.occrp.org/en/news/us-ditches-key-anti-bribery-law-critics-warn-of-global-corruption-surge https://www.occrp.org/en/news/german-ex-mp-convicted-in-azerbaijan-bribery-scandal https://www.politico.eu/article/belgian-authorities-mixed-up-eu-lawmaker-with-namesake-huawei-bribery-probe/ https://eucrim.eu/news/high-risk-areas-of-corruption-in-the-eu-in-depth-report-highlights-six-vulnerable-sectors/ https://www.mofo.com/resources/insights/260114-top-10-international-anti-corruption-developments-for-december-2025 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/02/trump-uae-crypto-deal https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2026/5/18/us-drops-fraud-charges-after-billionaire-adani-pledges-10bn-investment https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-39194395 https://whistleblowerjustice.net/blog/birth-of-the-fcpa-this-bribery-is-positively-bananas/ Sponsors: We're proudly independent but we partner with companies who share our passion for smarter due diligence and investigations. The Search Group - Every Decision Carries Risk. Managing it requires more than surface-level checks. At The Search Group (TSG), we deliver specialist due diligence and risk intelligence through a global network of expert hubs, combining deep local insight with global perspective. For over 15 years we have supported clients across 100+ jurisdictions with Compliance reviews, Pre-transaction due diligence, Investigations and Ethics advisory. Our tailored research transforms complexity into clarity and risk into opportunity – empowering confident, informed decisions. Discover how TSG can support your next big move at www.thesearchgroup.com. Subscribe & Follow Subscribe, leave a review, and share with anyone in risk, compliance or investigations — or anyone who thinks bribery is just an envelope under a table.