1.0 Introduction

At first glance, Monaco appears as a small state hosting high-net-worth individuals along luxury yachts, casinos, and international events. Beneath this public façade, a compact intelligence unit monitors threats to the principality, including cyberattacks, financial crimes, and risks to the royal family and other high-profile residents.

The unit is limited in size but operates with high discretion and precision. Officers often operate in plain clothes and maintain close coordination with French and European intelligence services as the main collaborators in preventing threats from materializing in Monte Carlo. Operations are intelligence-driven and technology-supported, conducted largely out of the public eye. [source]

Given Monaco’s role as a residence for wealthy individuals and a jurisdiction prioritizing financial confidentiality, the intelligence service places a premium on discretion. Operational effectiveness is measured not by visibility but by the integrity of the information collected and the prevention of incidents. As former Monaco Police Commissioner Richard Marangoni stated, “Intelligence is the Mother of all protections.” [source]

2.0 History, Symbols, Motto and Patches

2.1 History

Monaco’s intelligence apparatus has evolved quietly alongside the principality’s growth as a global financial and cultural hub. Its roots are tied to the Direction de la Sûreté Publique (DSP), Monaco’s main law enforcement agency, which was created in 1902 and has historically combined policing, security, and investigative functions. [source]

1960s–1980s: Organized Crime & Casino Oversight

During the mid-20th century, as Monaco’s financial sector, including casinos and banks, expanded and the principality became a magnet for international wealth, the intelligence service, then known as the Section des Informations Générales, des Études et du renseignement (SIGER), grew in importance. Monitoring money laundering, financial fraud, and organized crime became the main priorities for the division. The operations of the Italian and French mafias, whose operations remained close to the country’s borders, were of particular concern. Cooperation with French authorities, particularly the Direction Générale de la Sécurité Intérieure (DGSI), strengthened during this period, providing access to resources and operational expertise and helping to maintain Monaco’s image as a secure, tax-friendly haven. [source]

This also required developing Monaco’s intelligence capacity. SIGER was renamed the Division Renseignement Interieur (DRI), reflecting its modernization and broader operational remit. [source]

1990s: Russian and Eastern European Networks

The collapse of the Soviet Union brought a new wave of wealthy individuals, some with links to organized crime. Transnational networks, including Italian mafias (’Ndrangheta, Camorra, Lucchese, Genovese), Black Sea and Khazarian mafias, and Russian-linked actors, established an extensive presence, often using Monegasque banks to acquire property and move funds. Connections to high-profile figures, such as Russian oligarchs and political elites, increased the principality’s exposure. As a countermeasure, Monaco created the Service d’Information et de Contrôle sur les Circuits Financiers (SICCFIN) in 1993, which monitored foreign financial flows and cooperated with the French DGSI and Europol to detect suspicious activity and prevent criminal activity. More recently, oversight has intensified, with Russian assets in the region being closely scrutinized after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine and, in some cases, frozen. [source, source]

2000s: Terrorism, Event Security, and Cyber Intelligence Expansion

In recent decades, Monaco’s intelligence operations have expanded to include cybersecurity, digital surveillance, and protection of high-profile events, including the annual Formula 1 Grand Prix and major diplomatic affairs. Despite its small size, the principality has developed a highly specialized unit capable of integrating traditional policing with modern intelligence methods, such as the Agence Monégasque de Sécurité Numérique (AMSN), which is the national authority responsible for information systems security. Established in 2015, it is a center of expertise, response, and processing in matters of security and digital attacks, encompassing prevention, detection, and handling cyberattacks. [source, source]

2.2 Symbols

Monaco’s Intelligence doesn’t have a unique symbol representing its division; however, the Direction de la Sûreté Publique (DSP) uses symbols closely tied to the principality’s identity. Law enforcement emblems often incorporate elements of the princely coat of arms, including the red-and-white diamond pattern (fusily argent and gules), the Order of Saint Charles collar, and the Princely Crown.

2.3 Motto

Unlike larger intelligence agencies, Monaco’s internal intelligence unit does not have a publicly declared motto. 

2.4 Patches

No official or publicly verified patches exist for Monaco’s intelligence personnel. Officers operate in civilian clothes for covert assignments. This practice reinforces the division’s low-profile operational approach. [source, source]

3.0 Organisation

3.1 Place within Broader Government Structures

Monaco’s DRI is embedded within the Direction de la Sûreté Publique (DSP) framework, the principality’s main law enforcement and public security authority. The DSP itself reports directly to the Minister of State, who is the head of government, and ultimately to the Prince of Monaco. Due to Monaco’s reduced size, intelligence operations are highly integrated with other government functions, including judicial authorities and other financial regulatory bodies. 

New premises recently established allow for cooperation with the increase in staff numbers and will also accommodate services that were previously scattered outside the city, such as the police, the police academy, and the Internal Intelligence Division. This integration optimizes joint activities, leveraging external collaboration while keeping its internal security operations discreet and efficient. [source]

The DRI is located on the 5th floor of the Public Security Directorate at 9, rue Suffren Reymond – 98000 Monaco, an area classified as protected and restricted. [source]

3.2 Financing

Monaco’s intelligence operations are state-funded, forming part of the broader security budget of the Direction de la Sûreté Publique (DSP), which is proposed by the government, approved by the National Council, and signed off by the Prince. 

This centralized financing model ensures oversight and allows the principality to maintain high operational secrecy while addressing domestic and transnational threats. Exact figures for the intelligence unit are not publicly disclosed. Monaco’s small population and the unit’s limited size may correlate with financial expenditures that are modest compared to larger European intelligence agencies. [source, source]

The budget likely covers personnel salaries, operational costs, surveillance equipment, and secure communication infrastructure. In addition, the unit occasionally receives material, technical, or operational support from French and EU intelligence partners. Such support supplements the principality’s own funding rather than drawing directly from it, enabling joint operations, training, and capacity-building without significantly altering the domestic budget. [source, source]

3.3 Recruitment

Recruitment in Monaco’s intelligence division is very discreet, and not much information is publicly available, as there are no recruitment platforms. Most known personnel have been recruited internally through the Direction de la Sûreté Publique (DSP) or other government channels, often based on recommendations from trusted officials. On the other hand, Monaco’s Agence Monegasque Securité Financière (AMSF) and Agence Monegasque Securité Numérique do have public recruitment channels. [source, source]

Monaco might occasionally supplement its ranks through secondments or temporary assignments from French, Italian, or European Union partner agencies, though permanent foreign personnel hiring is rare. 

The selection process prioritizes quality over quantity, ensuring that every officer is capable of operating with the discretion, reliability, and precision required for Monaco’s sensitive domestic and international missions.

3.4 Personnel Size

Current estimates indicate the Division de Renseignement et d’Investigation (DRI) operates with around ten highly specialized agents, a significant increase from its former size of only three. Each officer is cross-trained in financial analysis, cyber operations, surveillance, and diplomatic liaison, ensuring that Monaco maximizes operational efficiency while maintaining a minimal footprint. This small but agile structure allows the principality to act swiftly, quietly, and effectively. [source, source]

3.5 Key Figures

Monaco’s intelligence division has been led over the years by several figures who have shaped its operations.

Since 2021, the Division de Renseignement et d’Investigation (DRI) has been headed by Lionel Sguaglia, a commissioner drawn from Monaco’s inner circle, tasked with modernizing the unit while maintaining its discretion and operational efficiency. Mme Gabrielle Lanteri currently acts as the Capitaine de Police within the division. [source, source]

Before Sguaglia, the position was occupied by the discreet former French gendarme Jean-Raymond Gottlieb, who had previously maintained a relationship with Monaco’s Princess Stéphanie. His tenure followed that of Yves Subraud, who led the department when it was known as the Section des Informations Générales des Études et du Renseignement (SIGER). Subraud, with decades of experience, developed a network of informants across Monaco’s casinos, hotels, and financial institutions and coordinated with the intelligence services of France, Italy, and the U.S. [source]

Other top security officials influencing Monaco’s intelligence landscape include Éric Arella, head of public security and former chief of Marseille’s judicial police, and Lionel Beffre, the Interior Minister and former French prefect and High Commissioner in Polynesia. 

A notable figure in Monaco’s intelligence history is Robert Eringer. He served as the principality’s chief spy for Prince Albert II from 2002 to 2007. An American intelligence professional with experience in counterintelligence and diplomatic security, Eringer was personally appointed by Prince Albert to modernize Monaco’s intelligence operations in the wake of the principality’s growing international profile. Eringer reportedly focused on internal security, surveillance of high-value targets, and establishing protocols for collaboration with foreign intelligence services, all while operating under the strict veil of discretion characteristic of Monaco’s intelligence culture. He was tasked to investigate controversial and corrupt businessmen, Russian arms dealers, and money launderers who lived in Monaco, succeeding at his job.

Eringer helped shape the modern operational and analytical standards that the DRI continues to follow today. However, his departure from the service included him filing a lawsuit against Prince Albert and the Crown of Monaco, as well as revealing state secrets after failed payments, which, according to him, amounted to $47,000. [source, source]

3.6 Connections with Key Organisations

Monaco’s intelligence agency maintains a broad-based strategic affiliation with both domestic and international agencies, allowing the principality to address security challenges outside its finite geographic and demographic footprint.

French DGSI and Police Nationale

As a result of Monaco’s proximity and historic alliance with France, its intelligence plays a key role in supporting the interior operations of the principality. In particular, the Division de Renseignement et d’Investigation (DRI) works closely with the Direction Générale de la Sécurité Intérieure (DGSI) and Police Nationale. Discreet hotel room surveillance and screening of potential residents with questionable backgrounds have been examples of cooperative operations. [source]

The cooperation also includes intelligence with the Monaco Police Department’s Protection, Surveillance and Intervention Group (GPSI), which has trained with France’s Search, Assistance, Intervention, Deterrence (RAID) unit in counter-terrorism, hostage situations, and high-risk interventions. It has also conducted field exercises to develop operational readiness and crisis management. [source]

Binational exercises, like emergency response exercises at Monaco’s SNCF train station, also improve coordination with the adjacent French departments to enable the principality to benefit from French expertise, logistics, and operational support. [source]

The partnership allows Monaco to benefit from French expertise, logistics, and investigative resources while retaining operational flexibility.

Financial Intelligence Cooperation: TRACFIN and AMSF

L’Autorité Monegasque de Sécurité Financière (AMSF) works closely with France’s national Financial Intelligence Unit (TRACFIN) to monitor activities such as money laundering, fraud, and transfers of assets linked to high-risk individuals in the framework of suspicious financial activities. This collaboration enables the exchange of information on cross-border financial crimes, both enhancing operational efficiency and compliance with European anti-money-laundering standards. It also supports Monaco’s ability to protect its financial system while minimizing exposure to abuse by criminal networks. [source, source, source]

These partnerships also extend to international programs, such as the EU-funded Interpol-supported Project LEICA, under which Monaco, along with other countries’ special intervention units, are trained in terrorism prevention, hostage negotiation, and crisis resolution with an emphasis on minimal-force techniques. [source]

United States – FBI Partnership

Monaco inked a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in June 2023, making cooperation official. The document, signed by U.S. Embassy Paris Legal Attaché Jarrad Smith and DSP Commissioner General Richard Marangoni, envisions mutual intelligence sharing to combat terrorism, cybercrime, criminal networks, and hostile state actors. The document highlights Monaco’s requirement for the exchange of information for this very globalized and security-conscious principality. [​​source]

International Treaties and Bilateral Agreements

Monaco is party to significant international conventions on organized crime, terrorism financing, tax evasion, and money laundering. Some examples include:

• ​​United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC, 2000) – focuses on tackling organized crime, human trafficking, and transnational criminal networks.
• United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC, 2003) – addresses bribery, embezzlement, and corruption prevention.
• International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism (ICSFT, 1999) – criminalizes funding of terrorism.
• Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendations – standards for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing.

The principality also has cooperation agreements with INTERPOL, Europol, and Francopol, and exchanges information related to organized crime, financial fraud, money laundering, and cyber threats. Its national legislation is updated regularly to conform to international standards and protect the principality from criminal exploitation.In addition, Monaco also maintains bilateral extradition agreements with numerous countries, including Western and Eastern European states, the United States, and Australia. These legal tools complement intelligence collaboration so that transnational crime is addressed both operationally and judicially. [source, source]

4.0 Tactical Operational Information

Monaco’s Division de Renseignement et d’Investigation (DRI) organizes its operations in terms of three dimensions:

4.1 Financial Surveillance

Monaco, being a banking center and fiscal haven, attracts legitimate as well as illegal money. The DRI, collaborating closely with the Autorité Monégasque de Sécurité Financière (AMSF) and French/EU financial intelligence services such as TRACFIN, monitors suspicious activity and money laundering. FININT is gathered actively to protect the economic stability and international reputation of the principality. The AMSF oversees banks, trust companies, and other financial institutions under anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CTF) guidelines and offers valuable intelligence to DRI. [source, source, source]

Monaco’s DRI followed the dramatic legal and financial fight between Russian oligarch Dmitri Rybolovlev, owner of AS Monaco, and Swiss art dealer Yves Bouvier. The case is rare in being a long-running, high-profile art scandal, and politically sensitive figures are involved with Monaco’s upper circles. [source]

4.2 Cybersecurity and Digital Threats

Micro-states are not exempt from cyberattacks. Monaco’s cyber intelligence continues to monitor digital dangers at all times to safeguard government, financial, and critical infrastructure networks. Monaco’s digital surveillance agency is the Autorité Monégasque de Surveillance Numérique (AMSN), which encourages adherence to cybersecurity policies, regulates digital platforms, and supervises information systems for both the public and private sectors. AMSN provides valuable intelligence on worsening cyber threats, aberrant digital activities, and systemic vulnerabilities. DRI professionals integrate AMSN data with EU and other international partners’ global threat intelligence to enable anticipatory countermeasures and strategic cyber risk evaluations.

4.3 Close Protection and VIP Security

High-net-worth residents, visiting VIPs, and major events rely on discreet informant networks to monitor threats. Operations cover ports, hotels, casinos, and popular venues. Proactive security initiatives using financial, cyber, and human-source information to prevent attacks before they happen. Digital risks, such as cyber stalking or financial targeting of VIPs, are integrated into physical security planning. [source, source]

5.0 The Future

Monaco’s intelligence services are preparing for incremental growth and tech modernization. Previously modest and relying heavily on human intelligence, the principality is now faced with more advanced threats, including sophisticated financial crimes, penetration of organized crime, and cyberattacks on high-net-worth individuals and financial institutions.

Recent developments have exposed vulnerabilities within Monaco’s intelligence and financial oversight framework. The principality’s placement on the FATF gray list in 2024, followed by its inclusion on the European Union list of high-risk jurisdictions for money laundering in June 2025, highlighted gaps in mechanisms designed to prevent this practice [source]. 

At the same time, pressure from French intelligence, particularly the DGSE, criticized Monaco for perceived leniency towards certain oligarchs, showing tension in partner collaboration [source, source]. 

Operationally, the principality faces constraints due to limited human intelligence capacity and a reduced network of field informants, which diminishes its ability to monitor organized crime and high-risk financial actors effectively [source].

5.1 Technology and Cybersecurity

Monaco will likely or already is incorporating AI technologies, advanced digital observation systems, and predictive data analysis. These will allow them to detect suspicious financial transactions, cyber intrusions, and new crime groups sooner in the process so that intelligence officers can react beforehand. The Monegasque Digital Security Agency (AMSN) will be central to this updating, monitoring cyber threats, and providing digital intelligence to the DRI and financial regulators as well. [source, source]

Monaco has upgraded its CCTV and infrastructure, with over 1,000 cameras, a crisis room, a forensic lab, and drone facilities, coordinated by the CSCO. The system handles thousands of emergency calls and alarms annually, enhancing situational awareness while respecting privacy. [source]

A draft law (Bill 1087) proposes remote biometric identification, including facial recognition, to identify high-risk individuals while ensuring compliance with GDPR and the EU AI Act. [source]

5.2 Financial Intelligence and Surveillance

The Division de Renseignement et d’Investigation (DRI) works together with the Autorité Monégasque de Sécurité Financière (AMSF) and other partners, such as TRACFIN. They help detect and follow up on suspicious financial transactions and combat money laundering. Upcoming measures appear to be aimed at enhancing wider cooperation, establishing more sophisticated analytical capabilities, and integrating monitoring tools to maintain Monaco as a potent financial centre.

5.3 Rebuilding Human Intelligence

Senior security officials, including Interior Minister Lionel Beffre and Éric Arella, have emphasized the need to establish a new general intelligence agency. Monaco’s current capabilities are limited, particularly regarding human intelligence on organized crime and foreign financial actors. According to these voices, the principality is largely “blind” to significant threats. [source]

The proposed expansion intends to strengthen domestic intelligence collection while maintaining strong liaisons with larger foreign services for intelligence beyond national borders. Historically, Monaco’s intelligence predecessors, such as the SIGER, combined a network of domestic informants with targeted international collaboration. The current initiative seeks to restore these human intelligence capacities, focusing on Monaco’s internal security priorities. [source, source]

5.4 Strategic Cooperation

Monaco’s intelligence has long depended on partnerships with France, Italy, the United States, and other EU countries. These collaborations will remain central. Future operations will need to be careful with the strong influence of royalty, as decisions can be affected by the preferences of Prince Albert II. source

5.5 Institutional and Operational Reform

The principality faces the two main challenges of regaining lost capabilities and maintaining an efficient intelligence apparatus under international scrutiny. Planned reforms focus on:

• Increasing analytical and operations staff.
• Increasing cooperation with AMSF, AMSN, and international intelligence networks.
• Enhancing oversight to support national security operations and international norms of compliance.

In short, Monaco’s intelligence agencies will likely be modest but more high-tech and internationally connected. This will allow balancing secrecy with efficacy to preserve the principality’s security and reputation.

6.0 Conclusion

Monaco illustrates the paradox of microstates: small in dimension, but prone to major economic and geopolitical threats. Historically, a small but effective security service protected its hotels, casinos, and foreign financial flows quietly, with the help of human intelligence, covert operations, and international cooperation; however, security threats have evolved.

Consequently, Monaco is undertaking reforms aimed at building capabilities, consolidating financial intelligence, and leveraging advanced technology. These reforms aim to expand operational reach, establish international credibility, and balance discretion with effective intelligence work.

This puts Monaco in a dilemma: how to combine its traditional discretion and adaptability with modern resources and partnerships so that it can confront today’s dangers, while continuing to be perceived as a secure financial center.