Domenico Fede

A significant portion of Dom's work involves conducting desktop investigations for companies, primarily for insurance purposes. Each desktop investigation typically requires two to three days to complete, and he generally receives approximately three assignments per week from various companies.

His specialty is OSINT. The ability to build a detailed picture of a person from publicly available information, without them ever knowing, is what keeps him engaged and motivated.

What draws me back to the industry is the intellectual challenge and satisfaction of open source intelligence, where I can uncover comprehensive information about a person, including their email, address, occupation, LinkedIn profile, and even photographs, all without their awareness.

What surprised him most when he first started out was how challenging it is to enter the industry and develop specialised skills, such as conducting undetected surveillance and following individuals. It was a discipline that kept him awake for many nights until he mastered it.

The biggest influences on his career have been the excellent mentors he was fortunate to learn from, who, despite being demanding, demonstrated great patience and guidance. By staying committed, he gradually developed his skills and improved over time. Key influences include David King, Luke Athens, Simon Solomon, Brad Lyons, and Michael Hoffman in the United States, who specialise in open social intelligence, as well as the works of Michael Basil on open source intelligence.

One of the most significant cases of Dom's career involved locating three children who had been abducted by their father. The mother had had no contact with them for three years.

The case required coordination with the courts, the federal police, and the preparation of a detailed report documenting every step of the investigation.

That year, the children were reunited with their mother just in time for Christmas. Four years later, the family remains close, and I am proud to consider them part of my extended family.

It is the kind of outcome that defines a career. And for Dom, it is a reminder of why the work matters.

Dom is candid about the harder parts of the work.

Physical surveillance in Sydney's heavy traffic has become increasingly demanding over the years. And there is the relentless drive that comes with OSINT work.

I am highly driven by the need to uncover information. I find it difficult to rest or sleep until I have obtained the details I am seeking.

There is also the business side of things, which he admits does not come naturally.

I find it difficult to set and charge appropriate fees, as my heart is naturally compassionate. Perhaps a reflection of my pastoral background. Balancing the demands of running a business with my commitment to helping people has been an ongoing challenge.

And then there is the gap between what people expect and what the work actually involves.

I wish more people appreciated how demanding private investigation can be. Many clients expect immediate results, often assuming there is a simple shortcut or magic solution. In reality, the work requires a deep understanding of procedures, meticulous attention to detail, and a range of specialised skills that are not always visible to the public.

One aspect Dom particularly values about being part of AIMPAC is the access to their Facebook tools.

I have found them extremely useful for locating individuals by searching with a telephone number, email address, or name, which greatly supports my investigative work.

He has been with AIMPAC for a short while, but the practical value was clear from the start. His view on where the industry is heading? More AI tools. And for someone who has built a career on technology and open source intelligence, that is a direction he is well placed to navigate.

When he is not working, Dom is flying flight simulators, going on cruises, attending Tau Church, and being around people. It is a life that reflects who he is: someone who values community, adventure, and connection.

One resource he recommends to others in the industry is CyberSudo on YouTube. For anyone looking to sharpen their digital investigation skills, it is well worth the time.