Bellingcat, translated as "belling cat".
Elliot Higgins, the founder of "BellingCat", was originally a journalist. Later, he analyzed online videos and used new technologies such as Google Earth and Street View to investigate the chemical weapons attack in Syria. He used the open source intelligence tools he mastered to conduct a detailed analysis of scattered information in social media, and reached the same investigation conclusions as intelligence agencies of various countries in advance. He also published the investigation methods and methods on his blog, which made him famous.
What followed was the emergence of many followers and imitators of Higgins on the Internet. They learned from each other and provided open source investigation tools. Higgins took this opportunity to recruit outstanding open source intelligence workers in the department and tried to set up an online investigation center.
In July 2014, Higgins founded "BellCat" in the UK and publicly declared that the organization would become an "intelligence agency serving the people."
"BellCat" mainly uses open source information such as satellite images, social media, and online databases to conduct intelligence investigation activities.
They mainly conduct data analysis on video images, photos and other information on social media, and use corresponding open source intelligence analysis tools to obtain geographic location information, accurate time information, and information on relevant personnel and weapons and equipment, so as to investigate and verify the truth of the incident.
Of course, the reason why "Belling Cat" was able to gain popularity and analyze relatively accurate intelligence was also because later, including Google Earth and other related software, allowed ordinary people to easily analyze public information.
Barron is now preparing to invest funds to establish a similar organization that can conduct intelligence analysis based on public information, including Internet information.
Since the start of the hunt for the "Raphael" organization, Barron has deeply felt the importance of having an exclusive intelligence organization.
However, his intelligence team is different from those intelligence agencies belonging to various countries. It is impossible for him to develop spies and intelligence personnel on a large scale. Therefore, the method of "Belling Cat" in his previous life, which specializes in intelligence analysis from various public information, is very suitable for his intelligence team.
And his current financial resources are also able to support maintaining an intelligence organization of a certain scale.
With his status, he can also let his intelligence team "exchange what they have" with the British intelligence agencies...
…
"In fact, Your Highness, the Duke of Grosvenor, our Athena Fund has lowered the fixed rate of return of the principal-guaranteed fund products, but for you, of course, the previous rate of return will remain..."
"I believe you, Barron, you're doing a great job on this."
The Duke of Westminster took a puff of his cigar and said to Barron with a warm smile,
"In fact, your talents are admirable in many aspects, but we need to pay attention to the Protector Company, which is the matter of Iraq. Recently, someone seems to have noticed it. I heard that several members of parliament have mentioned in parliament that they hope to disclose more information about the troops stationed in Iraq and the private military companies they hired."
"No matter when, there are always people who express dissatisfaction with various policies, right? Your Highness, after all, finding faults only requires moving your mouth, which is easier than doing things down to earth..."
Barron didn't care about it and said calmly:
"Besides, they are not targeting my company, but the Prime Minister. It is he who needs to be worried."
"That's true, but we should not let our guard down. After all, we are already in the second half of the Prime Minister's term..."
Barron also understood what the Duke of Westminster meant. Indeed, he also knew that because the media had previously revealed some shameful things about the US military and Blackwater in Iraq, some British opposition MPs took the opportunity to ask the government to investigate the presence of the British military and some private armed forces employed by the British government, including the Protector Military Company, in Iraq.
Barron had discussed these things with Cameron before.
Although Cameron is currently a member of the opposition party, as a politician, he also understands that at this time, "anti-war" is more aimed at the weapons of the current government, and the existence of Protector Military Company in Iraq is actually inevitable. Without Protector Company, there will be other private military companies to accept government orders.
Therefore, he also said that these topics are mainly aimed at the Prime Minister, rather than the Protector Military Company.
"How do you like it here, Barron?"
After the Duke of Westminster asked this question, Barron looked at the gorgeous decorations in the house, shook his head and said:
"I still prefer the layout of White's, and this place feels like an expensive discotheque..."
"Haha, Barron, interesting analogy. But compared to White's, this place is more relaxed, isn't it? You can have some fun without worrying about it."
Barron and the Duke of Westminster are now at Annable's Club in Mayfair, London, which dates back to 1963 and is one of the more famous celebrity clubs in London.
Compared to the serious feeling of White's, the decoration of Annable's is luxurious and exquisite, especially the bright colors, which have a stronger sense of art.
Moreover, the confidentiality measures here are very strict. All personnel are required to hand in their mobile phones after entering, and are not allowed to bring them in. Therefore, the Duke of Westminster said that this is a place where you can "have some fun without worry."
"By the way, a few Saudi friends will come to London in a while. I'll introduce them to you then, Barron. They are all very rich..."
When Barron heard the Duke of Westminster say he wanted to introduce him to the "rich" people in Saudi Arabia, he couldn't help but feel a little excited.
Although the wealthy people in the Middle East only began to transfer their investments to Europe and Asia on a large scale after being badly cheated by Wall Street during the subprime mortgage crisis, Britain was the first Western power to have "interests" in the Middle East earlier, and it has relatively close relations with many oil-rich countries including Saudi Arabia, so they still have a lot of investment in Britain.
Starting from June every year, you can often see wealthy people from the Middle East driving luxury cars in London...
Why June? Besides the fact that the Middle East starts to get hot at that time, it is a good time to come to London to escape the heat...
Also, because every year on June 6th, it is the beginning of their fasting month, during which they must fast and abstain from sex…
Will many wealthy people obey the rules?
Well, why not just go to a place where Ramadan is not observed? They are so smart.
After all, if it really happened in their country, it would be too outrageous and would definitely cause public dissatisfaction. For the sake of the feelings of ordinary people, they had to be very understanding... and not let them see it.
Therefore, before June 6, many wealthy people from the Middle East will travel in groups to Europe and the United States, especially to London, to drive their sports cars around the streets, go shopping in high-end shopping malls, and have fun with beautiful women in top hotels.
So if you see luxury cars with Arabic license plates parked on the side of the road in London, don't be surprised - these are directly flown in from the Middle East by the wealthy, and often a whole fleet of luxury cars appears...
Previously, Baron's fund was limited in size, and he had not had time to help his wealthy brothers in the Middle East make money. Now that there is an opportunity, he must make use of it.
After all, at least he would really help the other party make money, instead of being like those vultures on Wall Street who would turn their backs on him after taking all the money…