Michael Verfürden has been an editor in the Investigative Research department at Handelsblatt since 2020.
Among other things, he has reported on the abuse of power in the financial sector, dubious property deals and cyber attacks on German companies. His revelations about the Wirecard scandal attracted particular attention. After studying German and political science in Düsseldorf, he graduated from the Georg von Holtzbrinck School for Business Journalists, where he now works as a lecturer for Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) and investigative research methods.
In 2022, Michael Verfürden and his team gained access to internal Tesla data from a Norwegian whistleblower. This and other research resulted in the book ‘Die Tesla-Files: Enthüllungen aus dem Reich von Elon Musk’, which he wrote together with his colleague Sönke Iwersen.
Interview with Michael Verfürden
1. What are the core subjects of your keynote speeches?
My lectures are about:
Investigative Journalism
– How are major scandals uncovered? What investigative techniques are employed? How is the handling of sources managed?
– How do you navigate large datasets? What methods are used to verify the information they contain? What are the potential pitfalls?
– Facial recognition, geo-location, breach data: What opportunities does Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) present?
Practical Examples
– The Tesla Files: Revelations from Elon Musk’s empire
– The Wirecard Scandal: Pursuing Jan Marsalek, the world’s most elusive fraudster
– The Invisible War: How global hacker syndicates are threatening Germany
2. Which audiance or which branch do you reach with your speech?
- Those captivated by intriguing stories and real-world business thrillers
- Enthusiasts of true crime
- Individuals with a keen interest in business and finance
- Executives and decision-makers concerned with economic risks and regulatory compliance
3. Are you a PREMIUM SPEAKER? Where do you get your insights from?
As an investigative journalist, I write about dubious real estate deals or questionable transactions in the defense industry, then move on to abuse of power in the financial world or cyberattacks on German companies. Between researching Elon Musk and Russian spies, I’ve learned that starting from scratch every day isn’t frustrating – it’s a privilege. I gain unique insights that I want to turn into stories that read like crime novels.
What I aim for in writing also applies as a speaker: mood can be conveyed without emojis.
4. What will be in the future? Does «time» play an important role in your work?
Journalism is constantly evolving. In the past, investigative reporters were lucky to receive a single lever-arch file, which would gather dust in a drawer after the article was published. Today, we are regularly handed large datasets that often contain the potential for hidden connections. For example, in the Tesla Files, we found information about Wirecard’s fugitive ex-board member Jan Marsalek, and in the Wirecard data, we discovered documents related to real estate entrepreneur René Benko and Russian oligarchs.
The future of investigative economic journalism will increasingly be shaped by technology and data analysis. Time is a crucial factor in this process. Investigative journalism combines the ability to respond quickly to new information with the discipline to dig deeper and uncover patterns.
5. Tell us your life motto? What do you want to give your listeners to take with them?
“It’s not about knowing all the answers, but about asking the right question.”
Good journalism is more important than ever. It is the mirror of our society, showing where we stand and where we are headed. It uncovers hidden connections that would remain concealed without it. Every truth that comes to light has the potential to change the world.