IT Forensics · OSINT

Documenting grey market sales using OSINT – Forensically tracing suspicious distribution channels

Products sold outside the manufacturer’s authorised distribution channels – so-called ‘grey market’ goods – can sometimes be traced via publicly accessible sales platforms.

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As part of existing distribution protection cases, we carry out structured research into publicly available information regarding such distribution channels.

Why LanCologne?

Since its foundation, LanCologne has specialised in professional IT forensics. Our staff have decades of experience in the field of information technology and assist companies, solicitors, private individuals and, on a regular basis, the courts in the technical investigation of complex digital matters.

Our OSINT investigations are always carried out as a complementary component to existing IT forensic, legal or internal corporate enquiries. Every step of the investigation and every piece of digital evidence found is documented and, where technically possible, archived to ensure traceability even if the original online content is subsequently altered or deleted.

Our services

We search publicly accessible sales platforms for listings relating to a relevant product outside authorised distribution channels and document the results in a manner that is forensically verifiable.

Typical areas of application

Search for grey market offers of a relevant product
Supplement to investigations into distribution protection
Support in identifying suspicious sellers
Documentation relating to contractual disputes
Judicial and non-judicial expert reports
Collaboration with solicitors and sales departments

This is how a grey market sales investigation is carried out

Relevant online marketplaces are systematically searched for listings relating to the product in question; price levels, the origin of the sellers and other publicly available characteristics are documented.

Why is the investigation into grey market sales relevant from a forensic perspective?

Documented research provides an important basis for enforcing contractual distribution obligations against contractual partners.

Evidence of systematic circumvention may also be relevant for contractual proceedings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is trading in grey-market goods generally illegal?+
Not necessarily; the legal assessment depends on the individual case and is a matter for the client’s legal advisers. We document the publicly available facts in a manner that is forensically verifiable.
Are international marketplaces also being researched?+
Provided it is publicly available and relevant to the research question, yes.
Is the product’s original distribution channel being traced?+
As far as this is possible using publicly available information such as serial numbers or batch codes, yes.

LanCologne – IT Forensics OSINT Cologne

Do you require a professional OSINT investigation into „Documenting grey market sales using OSINT"? LanCologne can assist you with the transparent, documented analysis of publicly available digital sources to complement your IT forensic, legal or internal corporate enquiries.

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