Corruption is the illegal use of a position of authority or trust for personal or institutional gain, typically through the offer or acceptance of bribes. In international M&A, the anti-corruption risk profile of a target is a key due diligence concern: past corrupt practices can create latent liabilities (fines, market exclusions, criminal director liability) that transfer to the acquirer. Key regulatory frameworks include the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), the UK Bribery Act and France's Sapin II law, which impose extraterritorial obligations on companies doing business in or through those jurisdictions.

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Example: during due diligence on a French construction company active in sub-Saharan Africa, an integrity review is commissioned. Analysis of payments to local intermediaries reveals commissions of 8–12% of revenue on several public contracts — a red flag justifying an in-depth review before any acquisition commitment is made.

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Hectelion integrates anti-corruption risk assessment into the due diligence framework for acquisitions involving operations in higher-risk markets.