S04 E02 Part 1: Human Trafficking in Online Marketplaces (Part 1): Exposing the Threats & Tools to Fight Back
In this episode of the Shadow Dragon podcast, host David Cook speaks with Matt Richardson from the Anti Human Trafficking Intelligence Initiative (ATII) alongside Shadow Dragon’s CEO and CTO. They examine how traffickers operate, the impact on victims, and the investigative tools used to track and disrupt these crimes. The discussion also highlights the emotional toll on investigators and the importance of ongoing community partnerships to protect vulnerable populations.
OSINT with ShadowDragon & Digital Tools For Modern Investigations
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Show Notes
In this episode of the Shadow Dragon podcast, Director of National Security David Cook hosts a conversation for National Human Trafficking Prevention Month. The panel features:
- Matt Richardson, Senior Advisor of Intelligence and Child Safety at the Anti-Human Trafficking Intelligence Initiative (ATII) and Head of Intelligence at the Canadian OSINT Center
- Daniel Clemens, CEO and Founder of Shadow Dragon
- Elliot Anderson, CTO of Shadow Dragon
They discuss how human traffickers operate, the indicators that a child or adult may be at risk, and the ways online investigative tools—particularly open-source intelligence (OSINT) platforms—support law enforcement efforts. Matt shares the emotional toll of these cases and the importance of self-care for investigators, emphasizing that while the work can be harrowing, it is a privilege to help protect vulnerable individuals. The group also highlights the power of community partnerships, legal collaboration, and technology in preventing human trafficking and rescuing victims. This episode is part one of a three-part series focusing on human trafficking and online marketplaces, with a strong warning that some content may be disturbing to listeners.
Request to view ShadowDragon and CACI's DarkBlue Intelligence Suite Webinar on using OSINT to find indicators of human trafficking online: https://share.hsforms.com/1dcl3pCneSpOAeQpkQFI66g53lw0
Special Guest: Matt Richardson.