Uncovering Hidden Foreign Influence
Case Study: Investigating Foreign Influence in Energy Projects
Client: Confidential – EU Energy Infrastructure Consortium
Region: Netherlands – Eastern Europe
Service Line: Investigative Due Diligence
Situation
In early 2025, a major European energy consortium preparing a €12 million infrastructure contract flagged unusual discrepancies in a subcontractor’s proposal. While documentation appeared in order, subtle inconsistencies in financial trails and jurisdictional registration raised internal concerns. Given the project’s critical relevance to national energy strategy, the client engaged GeoRisk Solutions for a full-spectrum investigation to uncover any concealed risks.
Our Action
GeoRisk Solutions launched a Level II Investigative Due Diligence operation, combining open-source intelligence, field-level verification, and geopolitical risk analysis. Our multidisciplinary team executed the following:
- Conducted background profiling of the subcontractor’s executive team and associated entities across three jurisdictions.
- Deployed financial forensics to uncover two shell companies linked to sanctioned Belarusian actors.
- Mapped ownership networks, revealing concealed stakeholder alignments with politically exposed persons.
- Collaborated with local field assets in Warsaw and Bucharest to access non-digitized legal records and vet historical litigation.
- Assessed reputational risk by evaluating historic press coverage, online behavior, and sanction exposure databases.
Findings were synthesized into a classified stakeholder intelligence map and presented to the client’s legal and compliance board within 72 hours.
Outcome
- €12 million contract halted pre-signature, avoiding reputational and legal fallout.
- Client implemented new due diligence protocols across all Eastern European bids.
- Case cited by Dutch regulatory taskforce as a "best practice" model in foreign influence screening.
- GeoRisk retained as ongoing intelligence partner for infrastructure risk reviews.
Why It Matters
In critical infrastructure projects, exposure to unseen influence can translate into operational, financial, and geopolitical risk. This case highlights the value of enhanced due diligence—fusing intelligence tradecraft with field-based insights—to identify and intercept foreign interference before irreversible commitments are made.