Researching Politically Exposed Persons and International Corruption

Researching politically exposed persons (PEPs) and international corruption requires a meticulous and strategic approach, leveraging specialized databases and investigative tools. A crucial aspect is to focus on connections not only to the main person of interest but also to people close to them. Often, revealing connections are indirect, linked through associates, family members, or business partners.

Key Steps in Researching PEPs and Corruption

1. Identify Close Associates

   • Focus on the people close to the main person of interest, such as family members, close friends, business partners, and key associates. These connections often reveal indirect ties to corrupt activities or hidden assets.

2. Utilize Specialized Databases

   • Aleph by OCCRP (aleph.occrp.org)

   • Offshore Leaks Database by ICIJ (offshoreleaks.icij.org)

   • OpenSanctions (opensanctions.org)

   • StAR Asset Recovery Watch Database by World Bank (star.worldbank.org/asset-recovery-watch-database)

   • LittleSis (littlesis.org)

3. Analyze Financial Transactions and Assets

   • Look for unusual financial transactions, property records, and other asset holdings, which are often hidden under the names of associates or family members.

4. Leverage Public Records and News Articles

   • Combine information from public records with news articles, especially those from smaller or expatriate-run news sources, for valuable local and international insights.

5. Use Investigative Workspaces

   • Platforms like ICIJ's Datashare (datashare.icij.org), Aleph, and Google Pinpoint (journaliststudio.google.com) allow efficient organization and analysis of large volumes of documents. These workspaces can cross-reference data points across different files, revealing hidden connections.

Discovering Ties Between Various People and Entities

1. Cross-Reference Data

   • Use databases to cross-reference names and entities, uncovering hidden connections and networks.

2. Investigate Indirect Connections

   • Focus on indirect connections, as ties are often not directly to the main person but instead to someone close to them.

3. Compile and Analyze Social Media

   • Social media connections can provide insights into personal and professional relationships.

4. Examine Corporate Documents

   • Corporate registrations and other official documents can reveal connections between entities and individuals. Combining these with news articles and social media data helps bridge the gap between professional and social spheres.

5. Utilize Automatic Text Recognition

   • Platforms like Aleph and Google Pinpoint can automatically recognize text and extract data from uploaded documents, making it easier to identify relevant names and places across a large volume of data.

By following these steps and utilizing the right tools, journalists and researchers can uncover intricate networks and gain deeper insights into their subjects, enhancing the impact and depth of their investigative work.