Get our OSINT newsletter.
The latest and greatest of all-things-OSINT at your fingertips, every week.
By subscribing you agree to our Privacy Policy.
OSINT Training Log: Changing Cybercrime Policing in the Philippines
Quezon City, Philippines – September 2025
Usually police investigations start after a crime has been committed. A victim reports an offence, cops gather evidence, suspects are identified - and investigators get on the trail. But with cybercrime, cops can’t afford to wait.
The Proactive Internet Investigation Course (PIIC), delivered by the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP ACG), intends to flip the script on internet investigation.
OSINT Industries specialist Nathan R. (@nthgnx6842) joined three PIIC classes at Camp Crame, to demonstrate how open-source intelligence (OSINT) can help investigators move from reactive policing towards proactive threat detection.
Mission Objective: From Reactive to Proactive Policing
According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, the prosecution of modern internet offences - whether cybercrime or cyber-enabled crime – almost always relies on electronic evidence. However, digital evidence is inherently unstable; the scam sites, illegal images, and fake profiles criminals create can be erased instantly.
So for modern police, the challenge isn’t collecting evidence of crime, but recognising the indicators while there’s still time to act. Investigators need to be proactive, not reactive; and gather intelligence long before traditional investigative triggers occur.
Training Highlights
The training covered:
- Digital Footprints: Understanding how cybercriminals create traces online
- OSINT Skills: Transforming scattered data into actionable intelligence
- Operational Security (OpSec): Remaining undetected and staying safe
- Investigative Workflows: Moving from discovery, to assessment, to escalation
- Global Use Cases: Real-life examples of cases cracked with OSINT Industries tools
The session showcased how OSINT has revolutionised the fight against online crime, in real law enforcement scenarios. Alongside these relevant examples, the training also included specialist techniques designed to promote proactive policing.
Operational Impact and Trainer Evaluation
This training reinforced a simple principle: effective cyber investigations begin long before an arrest warrant is issued. And when criminals are poised to cover their tracks, that shift from reaction to anticipation makes all the difference.
“With OSINT, you can find leads before your target even knows they’ve left that evidence. The skills PNP officers gained through the PIIC course will make a huge difference.”– Nathan R. (@nthgnx6842) [Source: OSINT Industries]
Operational Impact and Trainer Evaluation
OSINT Industries thanks the PNP ACG for letting us be part of this ground-breaking programme. We also thank all the talented trainees for their dedication, enthusiasm and hard work throughout the PIIC course.
