Social Networks

Most social networking websites allow users to build web pages, communications online, share works, share photographs and express opinions.  Sites like Myspace, Facebook, and many others are constantly increasing membership and becoming more popular for all ages. Where people network, predators will find victims. In addition, such sites provide opportunities for online infidelity due to the anonymous and discreet nature of these sites. It is easy to hide information from others by logging into password protected pages and keeping your online name a secret.

There are many examples of investigations in social networks that have led to disciplinary, criminal or civil actions. Schools have so far been in the forefront of this method of investigations. Students and faculty have been caught in alcohol or drug related scandals resulting in loss of employment, expulsion and more based on pictures and postings found on these types of sites. However, with the information, conversations, photos, etc. that are prevalent on these sites investigators can obtain all sorts of evidence for a wide variety of case types.

Online Games (MMOs)

Online games can also provide opportunity for investigations. MMOs, or massively multiplayer online games, provide a graphical interface for users to interact with each other in real time as they play the game. Text-based chat and/or voice chat are included in almost all games of this type for users to be able to communicate with anyone online. The most popular form of MMO is the MMORPG, or massively multiplayer online role playing game, such as World of Warcraft or Second Life. These games allow a user to create an avatar, or virtual online representation, of themseves and play through the game world as this virtual person. While most of these users have interest only in fun and games, many are looking for social interactions, discreet and possibly unfaithful flirting or dating, stalking, harrassment, and who knows what else in mind. Players should take care with whom they interact with in this type of setting, especially if the interest is outgrowing the game and is starting to involve the real world.

Investigations into MMOs or other types of online games can be more difficul than social network sites, because the information is not viewable at all times on a web page. Instead, a type of virtual surveillance is needed in order to obtain the information in real time, as it is happening. Most commonly, investigations such as this have proven useful to law enforcement and valuable in courtrooms for cases such as anti-pedofile sting operations and other similar cases, especially those that involve children, as games are a gathering place for predators to find child victims.

Typical reasons for social networking and online game investigations:

• stalking and harassment
• identity fraud and theft
• technical discovery
• standard investigation lead development
• anti-pedophile investigation
• disciplinary actions
• company policy violations
• identity verification
• alias vetting
• subject character development
• accomplices discovery
• probation violations
• other court order violations
• criminal case purposes
• criminal enticement
• civil enticement
• sting operations
• intellectual property theft

Please take advantage of our free consultation to discuss this matter with a licensed private investigator which is familiar with this type of investigations.

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