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John Dell'Osso @johndellosso.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Training opportunity for Mexican journalists: If you want training on corruption and illicit financial flows using an innovative approach, apply by October 7 at this link: anticorru.pt/3jb @anticorruption.bsky.social @integridadmx.bsky.social @liliasaul.bsky.social

AC4ALL Expression of Interest
Workshop for Investigative Journalists

We are seeking investigative journalists in Mexico who want to learn and share more stories about corruption, illicit financial flows, and their impacts on inequality.

CDMX
18-19 November

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John Dell'Osso @johndellosso.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

#DC folks, @investigativesimulations.org is looking for people to test a #crime and #corruption simulation game in September for 5 hours. Each participant gets $40, lunch, and a fun training. If you're interested or know someone who would be, send an email to playtest@investigativesimulations.org

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John Dell'Osso @johndellosso.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

I'm proud of what we've accomplished at @investigativesimulations.org in the short time since our launch. The Lab's crime and corruption simulation game "Hidden Interests" had a great debut in Paris. One bit of feedback stuck out: "The workshop made me want to do this as a career."

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 20/08/2026

There have been a lot of exciting developments at Investigative Simulations Lab this summer. We have a number of training workshops planned for the rest of the year, we attended several major conferences, and we’re beginning work on the next offering in our catalog.

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 20/08/2026

More announcements are coming soon. In the meantime, below is a short description of Hidden Interests and how it works. Reach out if you’d like to learn more.

Hidden Interests: an immersive crime and corruption simulation
Investigative Simulations Lab uses game-based learning to train journalists and researchers to investigate crime and corruption. The Lab’s flagship simulation game drops participants into a fictional world where a mineral discovery has unleashed a scramble for wealth and power among unscrupulous politicians, ruthless corporations, and a criminal syndicate. They follow leads, uncover evidence, and expose misconduct. Their work can even change the course of events.

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 20/08/2026

The Lab’s flagship simulation game had a great first showing in Paris thanks to our friends at @openfacto.bsky.social. Several participants said they wished they’d had something like it when they were in journalism school. Another told us: “The workshop made me want to do this as a career.” 😍

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 20/08/2026

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John Dell'Osso @johndellosso.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

I'm looking forward to the #SeriousPlay Conference in Durham, NC this coming week. I can't wait to learn from people who design 'serious games' and talk about what we're doing at @investigativesimulations.org.

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 15/06/2026

🦀 🦀 🦀 We'll be at #IRE26 near Washington, DC later this week. We have answers to all your questions about how simulation games can teach journalists and public interest researchers how to follow the money. Our founder, @johndellosso.bsky.social, will be around. Come say hello!

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 28/05/2026

This past weekend in Paris, investigators uncovered a vast criminal conspiracy. They followed paper trails across borders. They traced links between organized crime, professional enablers and corrupt officials. They worked under pressure. You probably didn't hear about it in the news though.

Investigators studying documents and a network chart during a simulation game in Paris.

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John Dell'Osso @johndellosso.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

@dgillison.bsky.social and I had a packed house on a Saturday morning at #IRE25 in New Orleans last year for our session on figuring out who benefits from secretive offshore companies. And now, we're bringing it back home to Washington, DC (sort of) for #IRE26 (@ire.org)

I'm speaking at IRE26.

Strategies for investigating offshore companies

Saturday, June 20, 2026 11:30am

John Dell'Osso

Douglas Gillison

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 29/05/2026

🇧🇪 Goedendag ! We are in Mechelen, Belgium for Dataharvest 2026, put on by @journalismarena.eu. If you want to hear about how we are using simulation games to teach investigators how to follow the money and promote accountability, our founder @johndellosso.bsky.social is here to spread the word.

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OpenFacto @openfacto.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

OpenFacto a accueilli les 24-25 mai John Dell'Osso @investigativesimulations.org pour un jeu de simulation mobilisant toutes les compétences requises à une enquête financière sur des cas de corruption, de fraudes et autres conflits d'intérêt. Un grand succès pour ce nouveau format pédagogique. ✌️

participant.es

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 28/05/2026

A huge merci to @liselottemas.bsky.social, Jean-Baptiste Cardinaux, @polinetcb.bsky.social and @sebastienbourdon.bsky.social for organizing, helping moderate and for their wonderful feedback. And another big thanks to @openfacto.bsky.social for being open to a different kind of training format.

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 28/05/2026

Investigations require strategic judgment, pattern recognition and teamwork. Conventional training builds the foundation. Practice sharpens instincts. That is why we created Investigative Simulations Lab: to help investigators follow the money and and build the skills to uncover misconduct.

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 28/05/2026

You probably didn't read about it in the news because it was all an immersive simulation game. The crimes were fictional, but the learning was real.

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 28/05/2026

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 30/03/2026

Investigative Simulations Lab est fier d’organiser avec OpenFacto (@openfacto.bsky.social) un jeu de simulation d’enquête financière les 23 et 24 mai à Paris. Il reste encore des places. Inscrivez-vous ci-dessous !

openfacto.fr

Challenge "Follow the money" - OpenFacto

Investigative Simulations Lab a conçu un jeu de simulation de deux jours qui met les participants au défi d’enquêter sur la criminalité et la corruption dans un monde fictif où des acteurs malveillant...

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Transparency International UK @transparencyuk.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

Today, @tbij.bsky.social launches Voices For Transparency, a photo series showing the human stories behind corporate secrecy in the UK's CDOTs. 🌏 Ahead of the Illicit Finance Summit, the UK must end offshore secrecy & lead by example in the global fight against corruption. 🔗 Full series below ⤵️

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 22/04/2026

🚨 The Bureau of Investigative Journalism (@tbij.bsky.social) and Investigative Simulations Lab are running a two-day simulation game on crime, corruption and corporate enablers from 26-27 May in London. Test your investigative skills! For more information, contact: simulations@tbij.com

Investigations Training for Specialists

In-Person London, 26-27 May 2026

The Bureau of Investigative Journalism (the Bureau) is offering a specialised and innovative two-day training seminar to help investigators uncover bribery, embezzlement, fraud and money-laundering. Investigations are about asking the right questions, spotting patterns and making smart choices with limited resources. Conventional training provides an important foundation, but practice is what sharpens your instincts. That kind of meaningful practice can be hard to find. That’s why we’ve developed simulations. Imagine an escape room or whodunit for investigators that is engaging, realistic and fun.

What is a simulation game: Each simulation game is set in a fictional world where participants have to sift through many sources of information and use evidence they collect to expose crime and corruption. Even though the people, places and things in the simulation game are fictional, these are real investigations that equip learners with the skills applicable in real-world situations.

How they work: Participants play the role of an investigative team whose objective is to expose acts of crime and corruption. They have access to limited resources to pursue leads and uncover evidence. Teams document their findings and discuss their findings, investigative approach, loose ends and hypothetical next steps.

Bookings and queries: simulations@tbij.com

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 22/04/2026

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 30/03/2026

If you are a French speaking investigator and want a challenge, see below! We'll be running a simulation game in Paris on 23 and 24 May in collaboration with the excellent OpenFacto (@openfacto.bsky.social).

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 19/04/2026

For more information, here is a rundown by Dr. Rodriguez-Garcia: www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...

Another important moment of the day was the interactive session led by John Dell'Osso, which showed the value of gamification for anti-corruption learning. By using simulation and investigation exercises, participants were able to explore corruption risks, suspicious transactions, and red flags in a way that connected theory with practice. The lesson here was clear: experiential learning can make anti-corruption training more accessible, memorable, and effective.

Link: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7450924815596769280/

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 19/04/2026

Thank you to Mario Hidalgo Jara, the rest of the team at Universidad UTE and co-organizers Dr. Giovanna Rodriguez-Garcia (giroga.bsky.social) and Bonnie Palifka for the opportunity to present a short simulation game at the Academia against Corruption in the Americas conference in Quito, Ecuador.

Academics, practitioners, students and others in the Auditorio Álvaro Trueba at Universidad UTE in Quito, Ecuador during the VIII Conferencia de la Academia contra la Corrupción en las Américas (ACA). Participants played a short simulation game prepared for the conference.

Link: https://ute.edu.ec/event/viii-conferencia-aca-2026/

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 06/04/2026

🇪🇨 ¡Hasta pronto, Quito! We are honored to be speaking at the 8th Academia contra la Corrupción en las Américas conference next week. We'll be talking about simulation games as a tool for teaching about corruption and crime. Plus, we'll have a mini-simulation for participants.

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 30/03/2026

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 15/03/2026

🚨 Happening today! Come find us and test yourself with a mini simulation game.

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MuckRock @muckrock.com · 11/03/2026

MuckRock will be continuing our Sunshine Week celebrations throughout the month of March, highlighting the best in transparency and open government. Join us in the fight for government transparency! www.muckrock.com/news/archive...

muckrock.com

Celebrate Sunshine Week 2026 with MuckRock!

MuckRock is hosting events for Sunshine Week, shining a light on the importance of public records and open government.

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 11/03/2026

🗓️ Tuesday, March 17, 3-4:15 PM 📌 Vendor demonstration breakout session 🌐 Room B262, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center 🎤 Test yourself with a demo simulaton game!

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 11/03/2026

🗓️ Monday, March 16, 1:15-2:30 PM 📌 Transparency Tool Time (T3) 🌐 Room B262, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center 🎤 Listen to our lightning pitch!

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 11/03/2026

🗓️ Sunday, March 15, 5-7 PM 📌 Mixer and Sunshine Science Fair 🌐 SPIN, 1332 F St NW 🎤 Test yourself with a demo simulaton game!

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 11/03/2026

👋 Come find us at #SunshineFest next week and see for yourself how we're using simulation games to promote transparency and accountability! Here's where we'll be... cc: @brechnerfoi.bsky.social @muckrock.com @knightfoundation.org

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PPLAAF @pplaaf.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

1/ #Nigeria 🇳🇬/ #USA 🇺🇸: PPLAAF and The Post and Courier’s investigation has won the South Carolina Press Association’s A-Mark Prize for Investigative Journalism!

postandcourier.com

What a horse farm in Aiken, South Carolina tells us about international money laundering

Nigerian military adviser and polo fan Sambo Dasuki bought a horse farm in Aiken, SC. He was later charged with stealing $2 billion and criminal diversion.

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 06/03/2026

We showed how simulation games can teach people what key concepts mean in practice. In this case, investigators saw an official riding in a new boat as a bill worked its way through parliament. A document said a company owned the boat, but who was behind it? The answer: the official!

A series of companies linked to a boat. The companies are all beneficially owned by a politician.

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 18/02/2026

Today we’re proud to introduce Investigative Simulations Lab, an organization that designs and delivers simulation games that show journalists and researchers how to follow the money and uncover wrongdoing. Imagine an escape room or whodunit for investigators that is engaging, realistic and fun.

investigativesimulations.org

Investigative Simulations Lab

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 25/02/2026

"The Investigative Simulations Lab, an emerging organization, is developing simulation games to train people in how to investigate crime and corruption. They bring this innovative approach to building investigative capacity."

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 23/02/2026

🌸 We'll be at Sunshine Fest in Washington, DC from March 15-17 talking about freedom of information and simulation games. Drop us a line if you'll be there and want to find a time to chat.

Sunshine Fest
March 15-17, 2026
Washington, D.C.

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Sonia Rolley @soniarolley.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

Pour avoir déjà utilisé les simulations @johndellosso.bsky.social @investigativesimulations.org dans le cadre de formations, n’hésitez pas à le contacter et à travailler avec Investigative simulations Lab. It is fun and useful for anyone who wants to investigate companies #SeekTruth #HaveFun

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 18/02/2026

If you want to support our mission to equip investigators with the skills they need to shed light on crime and corruption, please make a tax deductible donation. Investigative Simulations Lab is fiscally sponsored by the MuckRock Foundation (@muckrock.com), a nonprofit collaborative news site.

givebutter.com

Investigative Simulations Lab

By Investigative Simulations Lab

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 18/02/2026

Want to learn more about bringing a simulation game to your organization? Send us a message here or at info@investigativesimulations.org.

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 18/02/2026

That’s where we come in. Each simulation game takes place in a fictional world carefully designed to feel realistic and put investigators to the test. Participants evaluate company information, bank records, news articles and other types of evidence to expose crime and corruption.

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 18/02/2026

Investigations are about asking the right questions, spotting patterns and making smart choices with limited resources. Conventional training provides an important foundation, but practice is what sharpens your instincts. That kind of meaningful practice can be hard to find.

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Investigative Simulations Lab @investigativesimulations.org · 18/02/2026

investigativesimulations.org

Investigative Simulations Lab

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