Practicing OSINT in Realistic Scenarios — An Expert Interview

At Kase Scenarios, our focus is on creating OSINT training that’s as close to real life as you can get. We create immersive, practical, and fun cases that help you build skills you can carry into actual casework.

That’s what stood out to Gustavo. With a background spanning cybersecurity, private investigations, and senior OSINT roles, he shares how Kase Scenarios brings both structure and realism to training—making it an experience that feels as close to life as possible.

Here’s what Gustavo had to say… 

Can you introduce yourself and share a bit about your background?

Absolutely! I started off young, with a passion for cybersecurity, running Mandrake while doing hackthissite.org challenges and overthewire.org wargames. After high school, I attended the Justice Institute of British Columbia and worked in physical security for a few years before I moved into a junior investigator position. From there, I opened a small business and began contracting to other private investigations firms, chasing down a wide range of targets like fugitives, fraudsters, heirs, and debtors from my computer. I wanted a chance to get out of the desk for a while, so I took a bailiff role and hunted down various assets both in person and online. OSINT wasn’t really spoken about in PI spaces at the time, but because I had a bit of a background in IT and pentesting (shout out to Backtrack Linux), I knew about using Linux-based tools and the like. That’s what moved me to pursue a degree in Cybersecurity and eventually a Senior OSINT position, where I was able to expand my skillset and casework.

What got you interested in OSINT?

My hobby of helping solve friends’ and families’ computer problems, studying cybersecurity, religions, and the rise and fall of civilizations, had me collecting large amounts of information from many different sources. Combine that with a simple love for computers, protecting others, and intelligence documentaries — OSINT was an easy career choice. 

How did you hear about Kase Scenarios, and what made you try it?

A couple of years ago, I heard about Kase Scenarios on a podcast. It may have been one from Trace Labs or Layer 8 – I don’t recall the exact moment now. I looked it up and was instantly impressed and inspired to join. The graphical/novel-like presentation and the quality of the work was phenomenal. And they had a free one to try! (“Betrayal,” which is now temporarily retired) 

Which scenarios have you completed, and which was your favorite?

I’ve completed Sinister Obsession and am currently writing a walkthrough for it. Next on my list is the SCP: Insurgency — I was there for some of the behind-the-scenes development, and all I could say was WOW. There are also a few we have not released yet that I’ve worked on, but I will stay silent on these for now. 🙂 

How has Kase Scenarios helped you develop your OSINT skills?

What I love the most is that Kase provides structure, context, and tools to dive deep into real-world OSINT casework. The direction provided is invaluable for a student of the craft, particularly because of the sheer size of this field. And even those of us who are more seasoned enjoy a good story and an introduction to new methods. As the digital landscape is always changing, having access to a platform that provides context to that landscape is a massive opportunity to stay ahead of the game. 

Do you feel more prepared for real-world OSINT work after completing them?

Without a doubt. Every scenario supplies a new knowledge base, tools, and tricks to get the job done. There is a Kase Scenario for almost every typical case you might encounter on the job. 

What would you say to someone on the fence about trying Kase Scenarios?

Regardless of whether you just like a good story or if you’re planning to pursue a position in the field, jump in and discover your own style of “OSINTing” while chasing down the bad guys. The fence won’t provide much context for getting the job done — so go ahead and join! These scenarios are as close to life as a simulation can get, so you will get a sense for what the work really looks like. Just don’t forget your OPSEC. 😉

How do you see OSINT—and Kase Scenarios—playing a role in your future career?

OSINT is my current career and what I do daily. Kase Scenarios gives me a place to produce content for others based on what I see and learn during the day, as well as a place to practice things I may not have tried yet. And there’s the benefit of experiencing fresh stories in real-time that you can’t find anywhere else. It’s such a great mix of entertainment and real-life use cases that I don’t see myself ever missing a new scenario.  

Hearing how Kase Scenarios helps both new and experienced investigators grow is why we do what we do. As Gustavo put it, “Kase provides structure, context, and tools to dive deep into real-world OSINT casework.”

If you’re ready to experience that for yourself, explore our scenarios and see how immersive OSINT training can help you stay ahead of the game.

Curious about the scenario Gustavo’s writing a walkthrough for? Try Sinister Obsession today!