Our weekly hack for those in the field doing the work & digging up critical intel.
The ability to uncover information on the internet is the primary skill of an online investigator. There are hundreds of thousands of surface, deep, and dark websites, but which are most pertinent to your unique case? Do you know how to utilize Google to its full potential? With new social media platforms coming online at a rapid pace, capturing leads and evidence in social media networks is more complex than ever. Do you know the latest tools of the trade?
Hg’s OSINT Tips of the week provides you with the latest intel how to be most effective in our tradecraft. We are always looking for new tools, so don’t hesitate to let us know if you have one you’d like reviewed in a future post!
Enjoy!
This week, our Timely Tips overview two tools. Both source UK-based public records information, one on people, businesses and places, and the other specifically with info on insurance brokers. Both can be useful tools for due diligence work. Come on, it’s time to dig in.
Due Diligence: www.192.com
“People, Businesses, and Places” is 192.com’s tagline, and it’s definitely one of the most comprehensive online public records aggregates for conducting research in the United Kingdom. It contains almost 700 million public records and has received many top awards, including Best Online Directory site at the 118 Awards five times. The free service allows the user to conduct directory searches, local business searches, and access interactive mapping, aerial photography, and property records. At the Premium level (check the site for updated fees), you can open the door to the UK Electoral Roll (2022 is now available), making for a white-pages directory of actionable information, since British citizens need to be registered in the Electoral Roll. Records include name, age, full address, phone numbers, co-occupants, neighbors, property records, county court judgments as well as birth, death, and marriage certificates. 192.com also offers a search of the Corporations Directory, which has data on individuals who own and operate companies through the UK. On the Company Reports tab (use Advanced Business Search, found at the bottom of the Search Businesses field), view employee numbers, turnovers, financial reports and assets, listing of current and past directors, and incorporation details.
Due Diligence: www.brokersnavigator.com
Conducting a United Kingdom due diligence investigation on an insurance broker? You may know about FINRA’s BrokerCheck here in the U.S. For the UK, Brokers Navigator is a strong source to determine insurance broker information. This company is an independent start-up based in London. On its website, searches may be performed by keyword, postcode, company name, company number, officer, owner, or FRN. Unique filters are geo-location and company rating— for which they’ve partnered with Feefo and Reviews.io, as well as integrating Google reviews.
Have an OSINT tip for us? Contact us, and we will consider reviewing it in future posts!
Like what you’re reading? Check out Hg’s monthly webinars!
Throughout the year, Hetherington Group offers monthly live webinars on current investigative tactics involving social networks, search engines, due diligence, the dark web, and other related topics. Participants should have some basic experience of the topic, as all programs are offered at an intermediate level, unless otherwise noted.
