Whether you’re running know your customer (KYC) checks, conducting supply chain due diligence, or investigating a cross-jurisdictional money laundering scheme, properly understanding naming conventions across the globe can help you cast your net wide to find the right subject(s).
At the most basic level, understanding naming conventions in disparate jurisdictions helps you better identify a subject of interest, especially in the absence of personally identifiable information (PII). An individual’s name in one jurisdiction may be written differently in another jurisdiction depending on how their naming conventions are constructed.
A strong grasp of different naming conventions can also be especially helpful in identifying links to direct or extended family members, especially when this information is unavailable using public sources. Identifying family members can aid an investigation by discovering connections between individuals that would not appear on traditional sources of public information, such as corporate records.
Additionally, pairing a base understanding of naming conventions with knowledge of how to transcribe text from one script to another, will allow you to more easily and accurately track subjects across jurisdictions.
Below is a list of articles written by Sayari analysts on understanding naming conventions and transcription techniques in different jurisdictions around the world. These articles, along with additional analytical tips and tricks, can be found on Sayari Learn.
- Understanding Russian-Language Naming Conventions to Enhance Investigations
- Converting Chinese Names Into Traditional or Simplified Characters
- Understanding Naming Conventions in China to Enhance Investigations
- Understanding Naming Conventions on the Malay Peninsula
- Understanding Iraqi Naming Conventions to Enhance Investigations
- Transcribing Levantine Arabic Names into Spanish
- Understanding Naming Conventions in Latin America to Enhance Investigations