Open-source intelligence (OSINT) and financial intelligence practitioners from nine European countries joined at a multi-country conference on “Enhancing the effective use of OSINT in AML/CFT operational and strategic analysis” in Sofia, Bulgaria, on 19-20 November 2025. The event, organised by the Council of Europe within the joint EU/Council of Europe Technical Support Instrument (TSI) project in Bulgaria*, provided a platform for sharing knowledge, experience, latest advances and forward-looking perspectives regarding the use of OSINT for anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) analytical purposes.
The rapid expansion of publicly available information has made OSINT an indispensable tool for Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) and other national AML/CFT authorities. When properly structured and integrated with traditional data sources, OSINT can substantially enhance analysis across all stages of the financial intelligence cycle, improving its accuracy and effectiveness. While most FIUs use it to some extent – 97% of surveyed FIUs used OSINT in 2023 according to an Egmont Group study (Use of Open source in FIU's operational & strategic analysis, Public Summary, IEWG (May 2023))– its application is often neither systematic nor fully integrated in analytical processes. Significant challenges remain in institutional capacity, access to automated tools and related expertise, methodological rigour, analytical workflows, legal clarity and ethical considerations.
The conference built on previous guidance and two training sessions on OSINT delivered to the Bulgarian FIU (FID-SANS) and relevant law enforcement authorities (in December 2023 and October 2025 respectively). By inviting FIUs from selected EU countries to share direct insights and lessons learned from their own innovative practices in using and institutionalising OSINT, the multi-country conference elevated the discussion to a more advanced strategic and international level. Over two days, practitioners from Bulgaria, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Spain, along with Council of Europe experts, and EU and Council of Europe representatives, mutually benefitted from insightful presentations and exchanges on the evolving use of OSINT for AML/CFT analysis in the current global context shaped by emerging technologies, accelerated financial crime sophistication and legal framework developments.
Across the various thematic sessions, participants explored concrete ways to integrate OSINT into both operational and strategic analysis, including through real case presentations, sector-specific examples and live demonstrations of technology-supported analytical techniques. Discussions highlighted not only the practical value of OSINT for uncovering complex financial links and emerging risks, but also the importance of strengthening legal, ethical and governance safeguards to ensure its responsible use. Special attention was given to how automation, artificial intelligence and new digital data sources are reshaping OSINT collection and analysis, offering opportunities for greater efficiency while also raising new risks, technical challenges and compliance considerations for AML/CFT authorities. Discussions reaffirmed the importance of a structured, responsible and technology-aware use of OSINT to strengthen the effectiveness of AML/CFT analysis in an evolving information landscape.
The conference concluded with a forward-looking dialogue on cooperation, capacity-building and common approaches for the future. Participants underscored the value of continued peer exchange and cross-border collaboration, highlighting specific examples of the difference made by OSINT use in international cooperation. They identified priority areas for further technical assistance, including sustained training, analysts’ specialisation, improved access to digital investigative tools and the development of consistent standards for OSINT use within the European and international AML/CFT community. The event thus contributed to the collective effort to achieve a more coordinated, innovative, strategically grounded and legally robust use of OSINT in the prevention and fight against money laundering and terrorist financing across Europe.
*This activity was organised within the framework of the Technical Support Instrument (TSI) project on “Enhancing the capabilities for risk-based AML supervision and financial intelligence in Bulgaria”, jointly funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe.