WHO WE ARE
We do not collect data for its own sake — we analyse and dissect complex operational environments, interpret difficult terrain, and convert fragmented information into structured, actionable intelligence designed for decision-making and immediate enforcement
01
HOW.international delivers top-tier Enhanced Due Diligence, Asset Tracing and Debt Recovery, and ML/AI-enhanced analytical services to international financial institutions and private investors. Since 2020, we have built deep expertise in complex, multi-jurisdictional investigations, integrating robust OSINT, HUMINT, and MLINT capabilities.
about
WHAT WE DO
Deep background and exposure reviews of individuals, entities and structures, uncovering hidden risks, illicit practices and opaque ownerships.
Cross-border identification, mapping and assessment of assets, supported by human-source insight and targeted financial analysis.
Advanced analytical models that accelerate the production of actionable intelligence — we coined a special term and call it MLINT for Machine-Learning-Intelligence.
Enhanced Due Diligence
Asset Tracing
and Debt Recovery
AI/ML Enhanced Analytics
02
structure
HYBRID INTELLIGENCE
Our methodology and investigative capabilities are built around a unique multi-cultural HUMINT network, a bespoke handpick style OSINT and a proprietary MLINT algorithm.
We deliver Strategic Intelligence Solutions that enable our Clients to navigate complex financial, regulatory, and geopolitical environments. We combine investigative capabilities, specialised subject-matter expertise, and rigorous analytical methods to support confident decision-making.
Our work is grounded in a deep understanding of emerging economic developments; post-Soviet financial, governmental, and business systems; sanctions regimes; and conflict-driven capital flows — all factors that may affect your transactions, operations, and counterparty engagements.
03
methodology
MLINT
HUMINT
OSINT
Our OSINT team combines linguistic breadth with deep national and cultural awareness, including an understanding of local “rules of the game” — an essential factor in the effective execution of multi-jurisdictional projects.
Our unique MLINT methodology combines expert (HUMINT) judgment with embedded AI to triage, corroborate, validate, and severity-rank each case with operational precision.
We have “boots on the ground” in multiple jurisdictions through a well-developed network of intelligence partners, built via our long-standing membership in the Council of International Investigators (CII).
Professional Integrity
We operate within strict legal frameworks (both domestic and international) and follow a robust ethical code of conduct, regardless of pressure or jurisdiction. Perseverance and resourcefulness are embedded in our operational culture. While creativity and curiosity are encouraged to sustain the spirit of genuine investigative work, Client confidentiality, respect for our network and sources, and data privacy remain paramount.
We operate within strict legal frameworks (both domestic and international) and follow a robust ethical code of conduct, regardless of pressure or jurisdiction. Perseverance and resourcefulness are embedded in our operational culture. While creativity and curiosity are encouraged to sustain the spirit of genuine investigative work, Client confidentiality, respect for our network and sources, and data privacy remain paramount.
We operate within a strict legal and ethical code of conduct. While creativity and curiosity are encouraged to sustain the spirit of genuine investigative work, Client confidentiality, respect for our network and sources, and data privacy remain paramount.
We understand how money, power, and enforcement operate across borders. We work cross-culturally, not merely across multiple languages. Our methodology is client-centric in every jurisdiction in which we operate and across all forms of execution.
We ensure synchronicity between top-in-field human judgment and ML technologies; embedding AI is not a goal in itself nor a cosmetic solution – it is a powerful tool that enhances our capabilities and drives more efficient resolution for our Clients, not mere convenience
We produce actionable intelligence; we neither imply nor invent it – it is built to withstand rigorous scrutiny and drive action, not to impress with volume. We are strictly outcome-oriented, starting with assets and ending with tangible, enforceable results.
01
Operational Precision
We produce actionable intelligence;
we neither imply nor invent it. Every output is evidence-led, structured, and decision-ready. Our intelligence is built to withstand a high level of scrutiny and drive action, not to impress with volume. Every conclusion is corroborated, severity-ranked, and defensible. We are strictly outcome-oriented, starting with assets and ending with tangible, enforceable results.
we neither imply nor invent it. Every output is evidence-led, structured, and decision-ready. Our intelligence is built to withstand a high level of scrutiny and drive action, not to impress with volume. Every conclusion is corroborated, severity-ranked, and defensible. We are strictly outcome-oriented, starting with assets and ending with tangible, enforceable results.
We produce actionable intelligence;
we neither imply nor invent it. Every output is evidence-led, structured, and decision-ready. Our intelligence is built to withstand a high level of scrutiny and drive action, not to impress with volume. Every conclusion is corroborated, severity-ranked, and defensible. We are strictly outcome-oriented, starting with assets and ending with tangible, enforceable results.
02
Jurisdictional / Cultural Fluency
We understand how money, power, and enforcement actually work across borders. We operate cross-culturally, not merely in multiple languages. Our methodology is client-centric in every jurisdiction in which we work and across all forms of execution. We deliberately operate as an extension of the client’s decision-making and enforcement function — responsive, discreet, and commercially aligned.
We understand how money, power, and enforcement actually work across borders. We operate cross-culturally, not merely in multiple languages. Our methodology is client-centric in every jurisdiction in which we work and across all forms of execution. We deliberately operate as an extension of the client’s decision-making and enforcement function — responsive, discreet, and commercially aligned.
03
Hybrid Intelligence Mastery
We ensure synchronicity between top-in-the-field experts’ human judgment and ML (Machine Learning) technologies; it is deliberately integrated it into our methodology and everyday work — not cosmetically. Embedding AI technology is not a goal in itself; it is a powerful avant-garde tool that enhances our capabilities and drives more efficient resolution for our Clients, not mere convenience.
We ensure synchronicity between top-in-the-field experts’ human judgment and ML (Machine Learning) technologies; it is deliberately integrated it into our methodology and everyday work — not cosmetically. Embedding AI technology is not a goal in itself; it is a powerful avant-garde tool that enhances our capabilities and drives more efficient resolution for our Clients, not mere convenience.
04
The Foundations
of Our Work
04
values
Meet the Founder
Sergey Grachev, founder and CEO, is a British entrepreneur, international legal strategist, and sustainability advocate with over 25 years' experience operating at the intersection of law, finance, multi-jurisdictional investigations, and technology, as well as cross-border cooperation across the UK, Europe, and the former Eastern Bloc.
05
founder
past
Areas of Expertise
Having lived and worked in the UK since 2007 and as a British citizen, Sergey has been deeply integrated into the UK legal, business and sustainability communities.
His work with the Law Society of England and Wales, the UK Civil Aviation Authority, the Royal Air Force and the RAF-affiliated flying clubs and flight training centres, sustainable Aviation coalition partners and international mobility forums reflects an understanding of the UK’s constitutional and regulatory structures and the importance of evidence-based policy development.
His work with the Law Society of England and Wales, the UK Civil Aviation Authority, the Royal Air Force and the RAF-affiliated flying clubs and flight training centres, sustainable Aviation coalition partners and international mobility forums reflects an understanding of the UK’s constitutional and regulatory structures and the importance of evidence-based policy development.
Sergey has over two decades experience in cross-border legal strategy, international commercial structuring and multi-jurisdictional investigation. As Founder and Managing Partner of MGAP he developed a boutique practice specialising in complex cross-border matters involving the UK, Europe and former Eastern Bloc jurisdictions. The firm became recognised by leading international legal directories and established a reputation for bridging legal, cultural and regulatory environments.
His work has included:
· Multi-jurisdictional asset tracing and structured recovery strategies
· Sanctions and regulatory risk assessment
· Enhanced due diligence and complex ownership mapping
· Cross-border dispute strategy and enforcement coordination
· Strategic advisory work for international financial institutions and investors
His work has included:
· Multi-jurisdictional asset tracing and structured recovery strategies
· Sanctions and regulatory risk assessment
· Enhanced due diligence and complex ownership mapping
· Cross-border dispute strategy and enforcement coordination
· Strategic advisory work for international financial institutions and investors
Through the development of HOW.International, he is advancing a model integrating legal expertise with machine-learning-supported intelligence methodologies (MLINT), combining OSINT, HUMINT and analytical modelling to improve decision-making in financial, regulatory and geopolitical environments.
This has demonstrated:
· Impartial judgement under complex political and regulatory pressures
· Strict adherence to compliance and sanctions frameworks
· High standards of evidential integrity
· Independent decision-making in rapidly evolving international contexts
It has also required regular engagement with UK-based law firms, regulators, professional bodies and investigative networks, reinforcing his understanding of the UK’s legal and constitutional framework.
This has demonstrated:
· Impartial judgement under complex political and regulatory pressures
· Strict adherence to compliance and sanctions frameworks
· High standards of evidential integrity
· Independent decision-making in rapidly evolving international contexts
It has also required regular engagement with UK-based law firms, regulators, professional bodies and investigative networks, reinforcing his understanding of the UK’s legal and constitutional framework.
Sergey is the Founder and CEO of NEBOair, a UK-based electric aviation initiative focused on the immediate deployment of fully electric, UK CAA and EASA type-certified aircraft for pilot training.
Under his leadership, NEBOair has:
· Established one of Europe’s largest operational fleets of fully electric certified training aircraft
· Worked with RAF affiliated flying clubs in trialling electric training platforms
· Participated in the Department for Transport supported Zero Emission Flight Infrastructure (ZEFI) programme
· Contributed to public and industry forums on sustainable aviation across the UK and internationally
His work focuses not on speculative future aviation, but on practical, deployable infrastructure-reducing emissions at the training stage of aviation, where every commercial and military pilot begins.
This requires:
· Close cooperation with the UK Civil Aviation Authority
· Engagement with airfields, training schools and local authorities
· Infrastructure planning for charging, energy sourcing and onsite renewable integration
· Longterm commercial sustainability aligned with environmental responsibility
His approach combines environmental responsibility with commercial practicality, demonstrating that innovation and regulatory compliance can operate together.
Under his leadership, NEBOair has:
· Established one of Europe’s largest operational fleets of fully electric certified training aircraft
· Worked with RAF affiliated flying clubs in trialling electric training platforms
· Participated in the Department for Transport supported Zero Emission Flight Infrastructure (ZEFI) programme
· Contributed to public and industry forums on sustainable aviation across the UK and internationally
His work focuses not on speculative future aviation, but on practical, deployable infrastructure-reducing emissions at the training stage of aviation, where every commercial and military pilot begins.
This requires:
· Close cooperation with the UK Civil Aviation Authority
· Engagement with airfields, training schools and local authorities
· Infrastructure planning for charging, energy sourcing and onsite renewable integration
· Longterm commercial sustainability aligned with environmental responsibility
His approach combines environmental responsibility with commercial practicality, demonstrating that innovation and regulatory compliance can operate together.
Across all pillars of his work, Sergey has demonstrated the ability to:
· Convene stakeholders across industry, regulators, academia and public bodies
· Engage constructively in policy-facing discussions
· Speak publicly on complex regulatory and technological matters
· Maintain independence of political party affiliation
His engagement with parliamentary and industry forums on issues of financial fairness and regulatory practice reflects a willingness to engage constructively with public institutions, while maintaining independence of judgement.
· Convene stakeholders across industry, regulators, academia and public bodies
· Engage constructively in policy-facing discussions
· Speak publicly on complex regulatory and technological matters
· Maintain independence of political party affiliation
His engagement with parliamentary and industry forums on issues of financial fairness and regulatory practice reflects a willingness to engage constructively with public institutions, while maintaining independence of judgement.
Sergey brings:
· A proven record of significant entrepreneurial achievement across law, intelligence, aviation and sustainability.
· Direct experience of regulatory scrutiny and multi-agency engagement.
· An international perspective grounded in practical UK-based leadership.
· A consistent ability to work constructively across political, cultural and institutional boundaries.
· A demonstrated commitment to independence of judgement and non-partisan contribution.
His experience in convening international legal cooperation, advancing cyber-financial transparency and promoting net-zero aviation solutions positions him to contribute meaningfully, not only in his specialist areas, but across broader debates on economic resilience, sanctions regimes, sustainable infrastructure, transport policy and the UK’s global strategic positioning.
· A proven record of significant entrepreneurial achievement across law, intelligence, aviation and sustainability.
· Direct experience of regulatory scrutiny and multi-agency engagement.
· An international perspective grounded in practical UK-based leadership.
· A consistent ability to work constructively across political, cultural and institutional boundaries.
· A demonstrated commitment to independence of judgement and non-partisan contribution.
His experience in convening international legal cooperation, advancing cyber-financial transparency and promoting net-zero aviation solutions positions him to contribute meaningfully, not only in his specialist areas, but across broader debates on economic resilience, sanctions regimes, sustainable infrastructure, transport policy and the UK’s global strategic positioning.
International Legal Strategy
& Financial Intelligence
& Financial Intelligence
Sustainable Aviation & Net-Zero Transport Innovation
Strategic Stakeholder Engagement & Public Contribution
FUTURE
As an international legal and intelligence strategist, I see the future of both legal practice and entrepreneurship in structured international cooperation. In a fragmented geopolitical climate, cross-border collaboration is not naïve idealism — it must instead function as strategic soft power.
Lawyers, entrepreneurs and intelligence professionals operate at the fault lines of regulation, capital, technology and sovereignty. We are often the first to encounter the frictions that divide jurisdictions, markets and cultures. Precisely because of this vantage point, we are uniquely positioned to identify structural barriers — and to design lawful, commercially viable pathways through them.
Real international cooperation in this context is not about uniformity but about interoperability — building systems that can function across legal frameworks, regulatory regimes and cultural environments without sacrificing integrity, transparency or accountability. When done correctly, such cooperation strengthens resilience, reduces conflict and enables sustainable economic development.
In that sense, legal and entrepreneurial collaboration across borders is not merely transactional — it is constructive statecraft.
Lawyers, entrepreneurs and intelligence professionals operate at the fault lines of regulation, capital, technology and sovereignty. We are often the first to encounter the frictions that divide jurisdictions, markets and cultures. Precisely because of this vantage point, we are uniquely positioned to identify structural barriers — and to design lawful, commercially viable pathways through them.
Real international cooperation in this context is not about uniformity but about interoperability — building systems that can function across legal frameworks, regulatory regimes and cultural environments without sacrificing integrity, transparency or accountability. When done correctly, such cooperation strengthens resilience, reduces conflict and enables sustainable economic development.
In that sense, legal and entrepreneurial collaboration across borders is not merely transactional — it is constructive statecraft.
As a sustainability advocate, I am increasingly convinced that while technology grows larger, faster and more powerful, the world itself feels smaller and more interconnected. Our systems — financial, environmental, digital and social — are now so tightly interwoven that actions in one corner of the globe reverberate immediately across continents.
This compression creates real systemic risk. When technological capability accelerates faster than governance, ethics and collective responsibility, the probability of ecological degradation, social instability and infrastructure fragility rises. Human agency remains the decisive variable: we are not passive observers of this transformation — we are its Architects.
Yet the same technological scale that amplifies risk also amplifies opportunity. In my field, the decarbonisation of flight, the introduction of clean electric propulsion and advanced materials, AI-driven optimisation, and global connectivity allow coordinated action at a speed previously impossible. If aligned around measurable sustainability objectives, technology becomes not a destabilising force but a precision instrument.
The question is not whether technology will shape the future — it will. The question is whether we deploy it deliberately, with strategic intent, disciplined governance and cross-border collaboration. Used carelessly, it accelerates collapse. Used with care and precision, it accelerates resilience.
This compression creates real systemic risk. When technological capability accelerates faster than governance, ethics and collective responsibility, the probability of ecological degradation, social instability and infrastructure fragility rises. Human agency remains the decisive variable: we are not passive observers of this transformation — we are its Architects.
Yet the same technological scale that amplifies risk also amplifies opportunity. In my field, the decarbonisation of flight, the introduction of clean electric propulsion and advanced materials, AI-driven optimisation, and global connectivity allow coordinated action at a speed previously impossible. If aligned around measurable sustainability objectives, technology becomes not a destabilising force but a precision instrument.
The question is not whether technology will shape the future — it will. The question is whether we deploy it deliberately, with strategic intent, disciplined governance and cross-border collaboration. Used carelessly, it accelerates collapse. Used with care and precision, it accelerates resilience.
present
Sergey Grachev is a British entrepreneur, international legal strategist and sustainability advocate with over 25 years’ experience operating at the intersection of law, finance, technology and cross-border cooperation.
He is the founder of MGAP (2001), an internationally recognised boutique law and advisory practice bridging the UK, Europe and former Eastern Bloc jurisdictions.
He is also the founder of NEBOair (2019), one of the UK’s leading pioneers in fully electric pilot training and zero-emission aviation infrastructure.
He is currently leading HOW.International, focused on strategic intelligence solutions, enhanced due diligence, cyber risk analysis and machine-learning supported asset tracing.
He is the founder of MGAP (2001), an internationally recognised boutique law and advisory practice bridging the UK, Europe and former Eastern Bloc jurisdictions.
He is also the founder of NEBOair (2019), one of the UK’s leading pioneers in fully electric pilot training and zero-emission aviation infrastructure.
He is currently leading HOW.International, focused on strategic intelligence solutions, enhanced due diligence, cyber risk analysis and machine-learning supported asset tracing.
Founder, MGAP: The firm became the first Russian practice admitted to the International Division of the Law Society of England & Wales, reflecting formal institutional recognition of its UK linked international legal work.
Member, Moscow Regional Bar (since 2004)
Member, Council of International Investigators (2024 - Present)
Honorary Member, Old Buckenham Airfield (2024)
Member, Moscow Regional Bar (since 2004)
Member, Council of International Investigators (2024 - Present)
Honorary Member, Old Buckenham Airfield (2024)
Alongside his professional work, Sergey has maintained consistent engagement in humanitarian, educational and cultural initiatives in the UK and internationally.
Humanitarian Response (2022 - Present)
· Hosted Ukrainian refugee families in Suffolk
and supported local relief and integration efforts.
· Provided assistance to the Kharkiv Youth Equestrian School following wartime destruction.
· Facilitated delivery of medical supplies and equipment to volunteer frontline medics in Ukraine.
· Hosted Ukrainian refugee families in Suffolk
and supported local relief and integration efforts.
· Provided assistance to the Kharkiv Youth Equestrian School following wartime destruction.
· Facilitated delivery of medical supplies and equipment to volunteer frontline medics in Ukraine.
Education & Professional Standards
· Supporter of the Council of International Investigators Scholarship Programme (USA), promoting education in cybersecurity, financial crime prevention and investigative integrity.
· Long-standing supporter of Pro Corda (national chamber music school).
· Trustee-level involvement in the Alexander Piatigorsky Trust, preserving philosophical scholarship and supporting academic dialogue
· Supporter of the Council of International Investigators Scholarship Programme (USA), promoting education in cybersecurity, financial crime prevention and investigative integrity.
· Long-standing supporter of Pro Corda (national chamber music school).
· Trustee-level involvement in the Alexander Piatigorsky Trust, preserving philosophical scholarship and supporting academic dialogue
Cultural Engagement
· Supporter and curator contributor to the Aldeburgh Documentary Festival (2010–2014).
· Ongoing engagement with UK arts initiatives including the Delfina Foundation.
· Supporter and curator contributor to the Aldeburgh Documentary Festival (2010–2014).
· Ongoing engagement with UK arts initiatives including the Delfina Foundation.
Sergey’s professional career has been defined
by two principal areas of expertise:
· International legal and financial intelligence work, including multi-jurisdictional investigations, asset tracing, regulatory and sanctions environments and structured cooperation between UK and international institutions.
· Sustainable aviation and transport innovation, including the deployment of the UK’s first fully electric type-certified aircraft fleet for pilot training and infrastructure development in collaboration with airfields, regulators and industry partners.
Through these roles he has demonstrated the ability to operate across complex regulatory environments, bring together diverse stakeholders and deliver practical, scalable solutions within both commercial and public-interest frameworks.
by two principal areas of expertise:
· International legal and financial intelligence work, including multi-jurisdictional investigations, asset tracing, regulatory and sanctions environments and structured cooperation between UK and international institutions.
· Sustainable aviation and transport innovation, including the deployment of the UK’s first fully electric type-certified aircraft fleet for pilot training and infrastructure development in collaboration with airfields, regulators and industry partners.
Through these roles he has demonstrated the ability to operate across complex regulatory environments, bring together diverse stakeholders and deliver practical, scalable solutions within both commercial and public-interest frameworks.
Professional Memberships
Charity & Community
Business History in the Making
>25
£750M+
20+
A quarter of a century is a substantial period in business development – our journey has included decisive inflection points alongside sustained capability building. We are extremely proud to be able to handpick the best elements of every stage of this valuable experience and implement them in the pursuit of excellence at HOW.
Sergey brings more than 25 years of experience
in corporate intelligence, complex investigations and
cross-border analytical strategy. “Intelligence is not
the accumulation of data, but the disciplined
interpretation of complexity.”
in corporate intelligence, complex investigations and
cross-border analytical strategy. “Intelligence is not
the accumulation of data, but the disciplined
interpretation of complexity.”
Our track record of success speaks for itself:
years
of practice
of practice
recovered
for clients
for clients
presence in jurisdictions
06
experience
representative experience
07
cases
delivery
delivery
delivery
delivery
SCOPE: Intelligence gathering on potential NHS internal corruption matter involving OSINT collection and data corroboration concerning allegations of "a convicted money launderer being responsible for funding allocations for severely disabled care over
a two-year period within a London NHS body".
a two-year period within a London NHS body".
SCOPE: Complex litigation support (UK High Court) in a case involving a crypto-finance platform, offering multi-currency accounts, cryptocurrency lending, and related services (registered as a VASP with the Bank of Spain). Our Client was subject to a freezing order over a significant amount of Bitcoin and Ethereum held on its trading platform, on the basis of an alleged risk of asset dissipation.
SCOPE: Provision of specialist legal support and strategic reputation management in a high-profile, politically sensitive extradition case in the UK. The assignment involved complex cross-jurisdictional issues across multiple domestic criminal law frameworks, as well as public international law, and required ongoing interaction with national and multilateral law enforcement bodies, including the Crown Prosecution Service, INTERPOL and multiple Financial Intelligence Units.
DELIVERY: The case was successfully concluded in the Client’s favour, with extradition request refused by the Crown following
the highly coordinated support delivered by our team.
COLLAB: Amadeus / Marina Pogibko and About Face / Dmitriy Chukseev
the highly coordinated support delivered by our team.
COLLAB: Amadeus / Marina Pogibko and About Face / Dmitriy Chukseev
BACK TO SCOPE
DELIVERY: Drawing on our expertise in emerging technology and blockchain-related legal matters, the case was successfully resolved. The decision is now cited for confirming that Bitcoin and Ethereum are capable of being subject to proprietary injunctions under
English law.
COLLAB: SMB Solicitors / Razi Mireskandari and Razwana Akram
English law.
COLLAB: SMB Solicitors / Razi Mireskandari and Razwana Akram
BACK TO SCOPE
DELIVERY: First stage of intelligence gathering completed. Project ongoing.
COLLAB: Forward Global/ Jonathan Bucks and Mike Morris
COLLAB: Forward Global/ Jonathan Bucks and Mike Morris
BACK TO SCOPE
SCOPE: In-depth asset-tracing investigation to identify recoverable assets and assess concealment methods in a major cross-border matter involving a substantial debt owed by a UK business owner whose group of companies had been accused of diverting client pension assets without authority, breaching capital-adequacy requirements, obstructing administrators and receivers, fraudulently transferring ownership, and concealing transactions to evade contractual payments.
DELIVERY: Through a combination of open-source research and advanced deep-web dataset analysis, we identified property assets valued at approximately £3 million, and the debtor was linked to connected entities and addresses in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, and the Isle of Man.
COLLAB: Bearstone Global / Paddy Beiner
COLLAB: Bearstone Global / Paddy Beiner
BACK TO SCOPE
Cross-border Asset Tracing
Extradition support case
Milestone crypto-currency litigation
2018 – 2019
2016 – 2017
2024 – 2025
2025 – 2026
The NHS internal corruption case
SCOPE: Intelligence gathering on potential NHS internal corruption matter involving OSINT collection and data corroboration concerning allegations of "a convicted money launderer being responsible for funding allocations for severely disabled care over
a two-year period within a London NHS body".
a two-year period within a London NHS body".
SCOPE: Complex litigation support (UK High Court) in a case involving a crypto-finance platform, offering multi-currency accounts, cryptocurrency lending, and related services (registered as a VASP with the Bank of Spain). Our Client was subject to a freezing order over a significant amount of Bitcoin and Ethereum held on its trading platform, on the basis of an alleged risk of asset dissipation.
SCOPE: Provision of specialist legal support and strategic reputation management in a high-profile, politically sensitive extradition case in the UK. The assignment involved complex cross-jurisdictional issues across multiple domestic criminal law frameworks, as well as public international law, and required ongoing interaction with national and multilateral law enforcement bodies, including the Crown Prosecution Service, INTERPOL and multiple Financial Intelligence Units.
SCOPE: In-depth asset-tracing investigation to identify recoverable assets and assess concealment methods in a major cross-border matter involving a substantial debt owed by a UK business owner whose group of companies had been accused of diverting client pension assets without authority, breaching capital-adequacy requirements, obstructing administrators and receivers, fraudulently transferring ownership, and concealing transactions to evade contractual payments.
DELIVERY
DELIVERY
DELIVERY
DELIVERY
BACK TO SCOPE
DELIVERY: Through a combination of open-source research and advanced deep-web dataset analysis, we identified property assets valued at approximately £3 million, and the debtor was linked to connected entities and addresses in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, and the Isle of Man.
COLLAB: Bearstone Global / Paddy Beiner
COLLAB: Bearstone Global / Paddy Beiner
BACK TO SCOPE
DELIVERY: The case was successfully concluded in the Client’s favour, with extradition request refused by the Crown following the highly coordinated support delivered by our team.
COLLAB: Amadeus / Marina Pogibko and About Face / Dmitriy Chukseev
COLLAB: Amadeus / Marina Pogibko and About Face / Dmitriy Chukseev
BACK TO SCOPE
DELIVERY: Drawing on our expertise in emerging technology and blockchain-related legal matters, the case was successfully resolved. The decision is now cited for confirming that Bitcoin and Ethereum are capable of being subject to proprietary injunctions under English law.
COLLAB: SMB Solicitors / Razi Mireskandari and Razwana Akram
COLLAB: SMB Solicitors / Razi Mireskandari and Razwana Akram
BACK TO SCOPE
DELIVERY: First stage of intelligence gathering completed. Project ongoing.
COLLAB: Forward Global/ Jonathan Bucks and Mike Morris
COLLAB: Forward Global/ Jonathan Bucks and Mike Morris
Cross-border Asset Tracing
2024 – 2025
Extradition support case
2016 – 2017
Milestone crypto-currency litigation
2018 – 2019
The NHS internal corruption case
2025 – 2026
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WHY HOW?
We are firmly convinced that the integrated approach we have developed represents the future of the industry.
Our operating style and delivery model enable us to achieve strong results within compressed timeframes, while maintaining a highly competitive cost base.
Our operating style and delivery model enable us to achieve strong results within compressed timeframes, while maintaining a highly competitive cost base.
08
Strengths
Specialised data processing algorithm
As part of our Due Diligence offering, we provide information security services to financial institutions, supported by our proprietary software solution. It enables proactive detection of payment-method misuse designed to bypass internal bank controls, facilitating the identification of illegal and high-risk online activities — including illicit brokerage, unlicensed gambling, unlawful fundraising, Ponzi schemes and HYIPs, quasi-crypto exchanges, the use of drop cards and mule accounts, e-commerce and payment-terminal miscoding, controlled-substance distribution, and related typologies.
Our proprietary soft-ware solution algorithms are deployed in both our Due Diligence and asset-tracing engagements, allowing us to begin straight with the asset, not the debt. ML-driven mapping of financial flows, digital infrastructure and asset dissipation techniques enables swift targeted search adjustments and more efficient intel-gathering. We are focusing directly on the debtor’s assets as the starting point, we are able to assess the viability of a matter at the earliest stage of our engagement.
Our unique MLINT+HUMINT methodology combines human judgment with embedded AI to triage, corroborate, validate, and severity-rank each case with operational precision; where required, we conduct targeted control purchases and test payments to achieve maximum evidentiary accuracy. One of our core-USPs is the patterns mapping services within cryptocurrency eco-systems.
Corporate intelligence specialists and practicing lawyers operate in close proximity and coordination, delivering high efficiency through targeted and precisely scoped tasking — combining due diligence, research and debtor asset tracing with the subsequent swift deployment of foreign litigation and enforcement mechanisms.
Our team combines linguistic breadth with deep national and cultural awareness — an essential factor for effective pursuit of complex cross-border projects. Our expertise enables us not only to navigate local “rules of the game” quickly, but also to deliver intelligence to our Clients in formats aligned with expected local and international professional communication standards.
We do not waste time or resources collecting irrelevant data or information. Our technological capabilities allow us to identify and evaluate information that may appear immaterial at first glance, yet proves critical to the matter. The combination of search engines and databases we employ has no direct market equivalent, particularly in light of current geo-political climate as well as advances in search technologies.
Our methodology in both asset tracing and the identification of illicit financial practices is centred on analysing the subject’s personal, psychological, corporate, and financial behavioural patterns. This enables us to anticipate the actions of counterparties seeking to obstruct the identification of material information, as well as potential methods of information and asset concealment.
We are not an isolated team — we operate as part of a global network of highly specialised legal and corporate intelligence professionals; long-term membership in several highly rated associations not only provides access to leading experts in the field but also adds credibility and gravitas to our standards of work and professional conduct.
The Client does not pay for the preliminary evaluation of the case, debtor’s position or for identifying the most promising jurisdictions for deeper asset tracing. We deliver ‘preliminaries’ free of charge which enable the Client’s decision making without pressure of large deposits or other financial burdens.
In all Due Diligence and investigative engagements, final outputs are stored under a unique ID with supporting evidence and corroborated against consolidated global KYC/AML risk databases (including AML/CFT and OFAC sanctions lists). The system supports continuous monitoring, exclusion and re-inclusion tracking, and timely status updates. In parallel, our proprietary software enables persistent merchant-website monitoring within e-commerce acquiring environments, covering MCC validation, compliance checks against Visa GBPP and BRAM frameworks, WHOIS and technical analysis, and correlation with anti-fraud databases.
09
Whether you wish to discuss a specific matter or explore a strategic capability, we welcome a confidential conversation.
Contact us at contact@how.international
Get in Touch
contact