Research Methodology
KLEPTOKRATS employs a rigorous, multi-layered methodology for tracking kleptocracy, sanctions enforcement, and illicit financial flows worldwide. Our approach combines quantitative data analysis with qualitative research to deliver actionable intelligence.
Data Sources
Our analysis draws from a comprehensive range of authoritative sources:
Government Sources: OFAC Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list, EU Consolidated Financial Sanctions List, UK Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) list, Australian DFAT Consolidated List, Canadian Special Economic Measures Act sanctions, and national asset recovery agency reports.
International Organizations: Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Mutual Evaluation Reports, Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index, World Bank Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative (StAR), United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) implementation reviews, and Basel Institute on Governance AML Index.
Investigative Sources: Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ), Global Witness investigations, Bellingcat open-source investigations, and academic research from institutions including the Brookings Institution, Chatham House, and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
Legal and Corporate Records: Court filings from US, UK, EU, and Swiss jurisdictions, corporate registry filings, beneficial ownership databases, and property registry records where publicly accessible.
Analytical Framework
Our analysis employs several complementary frameworks:
Network Analysis: Mapping the relationships between politically exposed persons (PEPs), their associates, corporate vehicles, and asset holdings to identify patterns of illicit enrichment and asset concealment.
Jurisdictional Comparison: Evaluating sanctions regimes, asset recovery mechanisms, and anti-corruption frameworks across jurisdictions to identify gaps and best practices.
Temporal Tracking: Monitoring changes in sanctions designations, enforcement actions, and asset recovery proceedings over time to identify trends and assess the effectiveness of anti-corruption measures.
Verification Standards
All claims published on KLEPTOKRATS must meet the following standards: information must be corroborated by at least two independent sources, government sanctions designations are verified against primary sources, financial figures are cross-referenced with official filings where available, and analytical conclusions are clearly distinguished from factual reporting.
Limitations
We acknowledge the inherent limitations of open-source intelligence in tracking illicit financial flows. Kleptocracy by its nature involves concealment, and our analysis necessarily reflects what can be determined from publicly available information. We clearly flag areas of uncertainty in our reporting.
Updates
Our data and analysis are updated on a continuous basis as new information becomes available. All articles include publication dates, and significant updates are noted within the text.