1. Who we are
OSINTrace is a South African crypto crime investigation and scam intelligence practice, offering a public scam reports database, due diligence checks, and training alongside our investigations, and operating osintrace.com. References to "we," "us," and "OSINTrace" mean OSINTrace; references to "you" mean anyone using the site or its services.
2. The scam report database
OSINTrace publishes a database of reported scams and fraudulent platforms, built from public submissions.
If you submit a report, you confirm the information is accurate to the best of your knowledge and that you understand it may be published, subject to our moderation process. Submitting a knowingly false report to harass or defame someone is a misuse of the platform and may be refused, removed, or reported to the relevant authorities.
If you believe a published listing about you or your organisation is inaccurate, see our Dispute Process.
3. Paid services (investigations, due diligence, training)
Investigation requests, due diligence checks, and training/CTF enrolments are separate paid engagements. For investigations and due diligence, submitting a request does not create a binding engagement — we confirm scope, timeline, and cost with you first, and a deposit may be required before investigative work begins.
For guide/course purchases, access is granted once payment is confirmed. Refunds are covered in our Payment Terms — contact us if something's gone wrong with your order.
4. The pro bono program
OSINTrace selects a limited number of applications each round for free investigation. Submitting an application does not guarantee selection; not being selected isn't a judgement on the merits of your case, and you're always welcome to submit a paid investigation request instead.
5. Acceptable use
You agree not to:
- Submit false, defamatory, or malicious reports intended to harass rather than warn others
- Attempt to access another user's account, or any part of the site not intended for public use, without authorisation
- Scrape, bulk-download, or republish the database in a way that misrepresents it as your own work
- Use the site to facilitate the very kind of fraud it exists to expose
6. Intellectual property
The OSINTrace name, logo, and site design are our property. Content you submit (report text, evidence descriptions) remains yours, but by submitting it you grant us a licence to use, moderate, and — where you consent — publish it as part of the database.
7. Limitation of liability
OSINTrace provides its services on an "as is" basis. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we're not liable for any loss arising from your reliance on information published on this site, including decisions made based on a published case, confidence tier, or due diligence result. Our services are informational and investigative in nature — they do not constitute legal, financial, or investment advice.
8. Privacy
How we handle your personal information is covered separately in our Privacy Policy, which forms part of these terms.
9. Changes to these terms
We may update these terms as the site's services change. Continued use of the site after an update means you accept the revised terms. Material changes will be reflected by updating the "Last updated" date at the top of this page.
10. Governing law
These terms are governed by the laws of South Africa. Any dispute arising from these terms or your use of the site will be subject to the jurisdiction of the South African courts.