Intelligence in fraud prevention

Types of intelligence

HUMINT, Human Intelligence: information from people, such as sources, witnesses or someone with first-hand knowledge of a case. In fraud, often a conversation with the victim or someone who witnessed events from within an organisation.
SIGINT, Signals Intelligence: information from communications and electronic signals. In a civilian context, for example, analysing messages and communications data where permitted by law.
VISINT, Visual Intelligence: information from images, aerial photographs and video: what is visible, what a detail conceals, and what can be verified.
OSINT, Open-Source Intelligence: information from public reporting, social media and public databases. It is available to everyone; the challenge is assessing reliability and meaning.

1. Information needs: define the question before searching for an answer.
2. Collection: gather information from different sources and preserve where each detail came from.
3. Research: analyse data and look for patterns and connections.
4. Assessment: evaluate how much each detail can be trusted and what it means.
5. Dissemination: communicate conclusions clearly to the decision-maker.

Complete the picture: apparently unrelated details gain meaning when connected.
Cross-check information: the same name, number or method across incidents can point to a connection.
Spot risks early: understanding the pattern can help identify a threat and prevent further harm.

Protecting sources: exposure may endanger them.
Protecting methods: someone who knows how they are identified can learn to evade detection.
Privacy and proper process: not all information may lawfully be collected.

English translation: 27 October 2026. Spotted an error, an update or a new source? Suggest a correction or source.