You’re offered a lucrative contract—fast cash, minimal questions, full creative freedom. But something about it doesn’t sit right. The urgency feels rehearsed. The polish feels performative. And suddenly, you’re not just questioning the project—you’re questioning the risk of becoming part of something you can’t walk away from cleanly.

This case study is especially relevant if you are:

• A creative or digital agency vetting unusual new business requests

• A founder operating in or near cartel-influenced regions

• A board member responsible for reputational integrity in high-risk sectors

• A general counsel screening clients without a formal red flag

• A vendor manager concerned about exposure from third-party entanglement

Not every threat looks like a threat—until you say yes to the wrong client.

This case study shows how Pholus helped a Latin American marketing agency assess a suspicious prospective client who wanted websites for a vague portfolio of companies. Using discreet due diligence and behavioral risk mapping, we uncovered clear signs of a laundering front. The agency declined the project, protected its reputation, and later secured a major international contract due to its ethical screening protocols.

If you’re sensing pressure to move fast without clarity, this case study might help you slow down—before something serious slips through.

Download it now and read it quietly. You’ll know if it applies.