FBI Background Check
Screen individuals against the FBI Most Wanted lists and US federal law enforcement databases. Covers the Ten Most Wanted Fugitives, Most Wanted Terrorists, Cyber's Most Wanted, and other FBI wanted categories.
Understanding FBI Wanted Lists
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the principal federal law enforcement agency of the United States. The FBI maintains several wanted lists that are relevant to international background screening and due diligence:
The FBI's most prominent list, featuring fugitives wanted for the most serious federal offences. Established in 1950, it has led to the capture of over 500 fugitives, with more than 160 apprehended as a direct result of public tips.
Individuals wanted in connection with terrorist attacks against US persons and interests. Includes subjects indicted for bombings, hijackings, and other acts of terrorism.
Individuals and groups wanted for cybercrime, including state-sponsored hacking, ransomware operations, business email compromise, and attacks on critical infrastructure.
Individuals wanted for child exploitation, trafficking, and related offences — relevant for screening in education and childcare sectors.
Individuals wanted for fraud, embezzlement, insider trading, and other financial crimes — relevant for screening in financial services and executive positions.
Why FBI Screening Matters for International Employers
FBI wanted lists have global relevance because the FBI investigates federal crimes that frequently have international dimensions — terrorism, cybercrime, international organised crime, sanctions evasion, and money laundering. Individuals on these lists may be located anywhere in the world, and their criminal activity may span multiple jurisdictions.
For GCC employers, FBI screening is particularly relevant when hiring individuals with connections to the United States — US citizens, former US residents, or individuals who have conducted business in or through the US. The FBI's cyber wanted list is also increasingly relevant for technology sector hiring, as it includes individuals and groups responsible for state-sponsored hacking campaigns, ransomware operations, and attacks on financial institutions.
Wirestork's screening platform includes FBI wanted data alongside OFAC SDN, Interpol Red Notices, EU Consolidated Sanctions, PEP databases, and 310+ additional databases. A single screening for AED 25 covers all of these sources simultaneously, providing a comprehensive due diligence result.
FBI Background Check vs. FBI Identity History Summary
It is important to distinguish between screening against FBI wanted lists and obtaining an official FBI Identity History Summary (commonly called a “rap sheet”). The FBI Identity History Summary is a fingerprint-based criminal record check administered by the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division. It provides a complete record of any arrests and criminal dispositions associated with the applicant's fingerprints in the FBI's Next Generation Identification (NGI) system.
Wirestork's screening is a name-based check against publicly available FBI wanted lists and other watchlist databases. It is a due diligence tool, not a substitute for an official fingerprint-based criminal record check. For comprehensive employee screening, many organisations combine Wirestork's global sanctions and watchlist screening with a full employment background check that includes local police clearance and employment verification.
The US Department of Homeland Security and the US Department of Justice maintain additional databases and screening programmes that complement FBI data. Wirestork's 320+ database screening aggregates data from these and other US federal law enforcement sources to provide comprehensive coverage.