Doing due diligence in the U.S. is one thing. Doing it overseas? That’s a whole different ballgame.
In markets like the UK, for example, criminal record checks aren’t freely available without a subject’s consent. GDPR and local data protection laws add layers of complexity. A simple database pull won’t cut it.
That’s why effective international due diligence requires more than one approach:
Local Expertise: A lot of countries have former alphabet agency personnel living there, ex-pats that know the lay of the land. Engaging these folks have been critical on previous assignments.
Compliance + Records: Working with partners who know how to navigate GDPR, data-impact assessments, and what can (and can’t) be accessed. Commonly referred to as Open Source Intelligence (OSINT).
Investigative Insight: Going beyond the public record, using human source intelligence to uncover what people really say about a company, its executives, and their reputations. Referred to as Human Intelligence (HUMINT).
At Risk Control Strategies, we’ve built trusted partnerships with overseas investigators. Whether it’s a OSINT review or a deep reputational dive with boots-on-the-ground HUMINT, we make sure clients don’t mistake “opaque” for “clean.”
Because when deals cross borders, the risks don’t just get bigger—they get harder to see.