TAMPA, Fla. – Feb. 12, 2013 – Kevin Connell, chairman of AccuScreen, will speak at a dinner hosted by the ACFE Tampa Bay Chapter this evening at 6:00 p.m. Eastern at the Marriott Tampa Westshore. His session will illustrate in “non-technical terms” the most current, comprehensive and cutting-edge Internet research techniques available today. Finding the needed information isn’t simply a matter of entering the right keywords into a search engine.
The presentation opens up with a “Tour of Fraud Sites,” screen shots of actual websites that are used by fraudsters to assist them in their fraud schemes. These “fraud enabling” websites will give attendees an idea of the extent of the fraud that happens. The remaining part of the presentation will focus on Open Source Intelligence techniques to prevent or detect fraud for the fraud examiner’s case.
Acquiring useful and relevant Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) requires much more than just the ability to surf the Web – many valuable sources of intelligence are unknown and untapped. Most people “don’t know what they don’t know” about online searching and miss far more relevant information than they find. Attendees will learn how to go “off the beaten track” and develop a new range of skill sets, with the end goal of making attendees more effective and efficient online. This is the “kit and caboodle” of Internet research, presented in layman’s terms.
From employment background screening, due diligence and public record checks to more in-depth “hidden” or “deep web” searches, having advanced Internet research and investigative skills is an essential requirement at all levels of a business enterprise, especially those that investigate fraud. Finding deep and hidden websites that return key intelligence while being in compliance with the law and privacy consideration is a skill needed for the anti-fraud professional.
The session will be augmented by tips, insider secrets, checklists, examples and “real world” case studies that will help attendees with information that was once considered unavailable and unreachable. Many of the websites shared in this session are free, but are unknown to most of the general population. Connell will also cover some of the paid online database vendors.
Attendees will learn how to:
– Conduct due diligence using the Web efficiently and legally
– Find more information in less time when online, and make better sense of it.
– Create advanced searches on popular search engines, as well as Meta Search engines ( searching by using a combination of several search engines)
– Search public record sources
– Mine social networking sites
– Analyze the information and be able to distinguish between reliable and unreliable information
– Narrow research and focus on the best resources
– Locate information on an individual or business
Attendees will leave with:
1) A renewed confidence in their Internet search know-how
2) The ability to find more useful & relevant information in less time
3) An advanced ability to conduct web searches that are legal and compliant
4) A list of websites and search tools linked to intelligence collection objectives
5) Proven search queries
6) Checklists for each step in the process
After this session, the attendee will be able to:
– Utilize the Internet as an effective investigative research tool
– Conduct advanced Web research for use in online background checks, due diligence and public record research
– Perform Internet recruitment sourcing
The dinner and presentation cost $25 for ACFE members and their guests and $35 for non-chapter members. Walk-ups are always welcome but will only be accommodated if space is available. Connell’s presentation qualifies for one hour of CPE (Continuing Professional Education) for ACFE members.
About Kevin Connell
Kevin Connell is the Chairman and Founder of AccuScreen.com, a global background screening firm headquartered in Tampa Florida since 1994. He served as Director on the first Board of Directors of the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS). Mr. Connell is recognized for his expertise on Open Source Intelligence research, Employment Background Checks, Fraud Prevention and Deception Detection, Negligent Hiring, Occupational Fraud, Negligent Retention, Computer Fraud, Embezzlement and provided research and Testimony as an Expert Witness in Court Cases. He was on the adjunct faculty of the University of South Florida for over a decade. He has spoken at numerous business, security and human resources conferences, including twice providing testimony before the Florida Supreme Court. He is widely quoted, is a published author, and has been featured on television, including Fox News and ABC News. Connell’s business experience spans over a quarter of a century, with 20 of those years involving Internet and web research, including Open Source Intelligence gathering and analysis.