James Tunkey
COO, I-OnAsia
James Tunkey is Chief Operating Officer of I-OnAsia, a global investigations and security consulting company. I-OnAsia provides due diligence services, including background checks on company officers and directors before a De-SPAC. For larger global deals, the diligence is more in-depth, looking at a variety of operational and reputational/headline risks. Tunkey began working in this industry in 1995. He has performed thousands of background checks globally. Tunkey is a Certified Fraud Examiner who oversees a variety of other substantial investigations, including shareholder class action. Tunkey also provides consultancy on related risks to global investment and growth teams in emerging markets. He is a Qualified Risk Manager who brings a positive risk-taking mindset to the work. He has served as a court appointed receiver. Tunkey holds a TRIUM EMBA, jointly conferred by the London School of Economics, HEC Paris, and NYU Stern. He earned his BA from the University at Buffalo and holds certificates in Advanced Law Enforcement Interviewing Techniques (HKU), Corruption Control and Organizational Integrity (Harvard Kennedy School), and Public Safety Leadership (USC Price).
From Fraud Investigations to DESPAC Due Diligence — James Tunkey
James Tunkey, CFE and Managing Director of I on Asia, on executive due diligence in a de-SPAC — 50+ transactions of fraud-investigator-grade screening, why undisclosed directors collapse deals at the two-yard line, how short sellers exploit pre-merger disclosure gaps, the six-month expiry window, and why early diligence directly lowers cost of capital.