Financial OSINT

Role: methodology for following money, ownership, and economic relationships.

When the skill activates

• Investigating ownership behind a company or transaction
• Mapping a network of related entities (companies, beneficial owners)
• Sanctions checking
• Shell-company / offshore-structure analysis
• Following payments, contracts, or political donations

Core principles

1. Follow the structure, not just the name

Companies are nested. Always look one level up (parent), one level sideways (sister companies), one level down (subsidiaries) to find the real picture.

2. Beneficial ownership > legal ownership

Legal owner can be a nominee/trustee. Always ask: who is the ultimate beneficial owner (UBO)? Most jurisdictions now require UBO registers.