I have an odd case that I'm hoping someone here can point me in the right direction.
I have a client whose girlfriend is receiving unusual and/or threatening SMS messages on her phone. The text messages appear to be generating from an anonymous texting service(s) because the originating phone numbers are different on every message.
So far, I have not been able to examine the phone physically or make an image, though I do have a screenshot of one message. The details I know have been passed on to me by the client. According to him, the most likely person is an ex-boyfriend. However (and here's the really odd part), the ex committed suicide a few months ago, right before the messages began showing up. They suspect it is/was him because of some language cues. They also suspect he somehow set up messages to be delivered on a schedule.
To date, the client says the phone service provider does not show any unusual activity on the phone's account and are unable to help him locate the source of the messages. His local law enforcement said there is no crime, so they will not investigate. I personally have no experience with this area, so I'm not quite sure what, if anything, can be done for him.
Any suggestions on how to proceed? To whom might I direct him if he really wants to pursue the further?
Could be a service like TextMemos
http//www. textmemos .com/
However, they say that the messages are tagged with the Senders IP and not various phone numbers.
Have you tried to search for the "senders" phone number? If a service is using them as part of a number-bank, they may have used it for other messages to others and you may be able to pinpoint the service.
Further, what does the phone bill say for SMS? Does it show which phone number is sending the message? Do they match the sender's number displayed on the phone?
Hope that helps…
I'd love to chime in, but can you specify if the messages are unusual or are they actually threatening in nature?
Thanks to both of you for responding.
Late this afternoon, I met with the client and he provided some more detailed information in printed form. Most importantly, he revealed that the person in question may, in fact, be alive and sending the messages.
Early on, the messages came from a source that I'm not familiar with "serverX.XXX<autosend//flash//auto<XXX.X>auto//random/X.XX . A while later, the messages started coming from at least two email services judging by the IP addresses the client provided.
hcso1510, the messages I saw today are quite threatening in nature. So far, I've seen 7 messages that were printed out. My client says there are much more graphic messages on the phone, but they're not comfortable revealing unless/until something more substantial can be done.
I have advised the client to go to law enforcement. He says his girlfriend did a few weeks ago and that they did not take her seriously. I'm not sure I believe that entirely, but I suppose anything is possible. In any case, after seeing some of the messages myself today (at least print outs), I'm going to advise him once again to go to LE.
All kidding aside, if they went to LE and nothing was done, who are you? A MacGuyver type character?
I hear this argument a lot, so and so went to the police and they weren't helpful and I wonder a few things.
How were they talked to, was it told that they work for you and this is how it's going to be (I'm speaking in generalities not about your case)
Did they attempt to talk to more than one Detective by calling back (same situation like social engineering, the first Det might not want to help but the second one may see that it is something he is interested in)
Is there credible proof that something happened or could happen (people playing with evidence themselves and then going to another party who in turn plays with it.
Lastly, where is the investigation in this (I'm being case specific now) someone committed suicide but may now be alive, either someone did or didn't commit suicide and I would tell a client, if you are retaining me, I will put this together for you, find out what happened, if the person has passed on, etc. It seems many things could have been done here and were not done.
Thanks to both of you for responding.
Late this afternoon, I met with the client and he provided some more detailed information in printed form. Most importantly, he revealed that the person in question may, in fact, be alive and sending the messages.
Early on, the messages came from a source that I'm not familiar with "serverX.XXX<autosend//flash//auto<XXX.X>auto//random/X.XX . A while later, the messages started coming from at least two email services judging by the IP addresses the client provided.
hcso1510, the messages I saw today are quite threatening in nature. So far, I've seen 7 messages that were printed out. My client says there are much more graphic messages on the phone, but they're not comfortable revealing unless/until something more substantial can be done.
I have advised the client to go to law enforcement. He says his girlfriend did a few weeks ago and that they did not take her seriously. I'm not sure I believe that entirely, but I suppose anything is possible. In any case, after seeing some of the messages myself today (at least print outs), I'm going to advise him once again to go to LE.
OK, I have a few questions here.
Why is the client providing you with detailed information in printed form? Did they forward something from their phone to an email address and then print it off? Are they afraid of something?
He revealed the person in question, in fact, may be alive? What's the alternative to that? I have a feeling that the client has an idea who this is. Seems funny as well that they don't want to disclose the full contents of the handset unless they feel something "substantial" can be done.
The first thing I would want is the clients CDR's with text logs and an IP log. Now if you're not LE that might be tough getting and not every provider is going to give you these records even with customer consent.
It seems as though you may have some sort of spoofing situation here and it appears to be originating from an email address rather than some sort of faked caller ID? Am I right so far?
Now one of the things I would want to do is try to rule out the possibility the client is doing this to their own phone. If you can get a list of their IP traffic, I’m assuming this is a smart phone, then you could back track the IP addresses to check what sites they are visiting. This might provide additional areas to investigate? The SMS log may provide information as to where the messages originated. If you know what LE agency they contacted you might call them and see if you can speak with the investigator they spoke to. You have indicated you don’t believe the girlfriends story so why not check it out.
How long has the boyfriend been dating the victim? Any ex boyfriends in play? Mad girlfriend? Maybe a current order of protection?
All kidding aside, if they went to LE and nothing was done, who are you? A MacGuyver type character?
I hear this argument a lot, so and so went to the police and they weren't helpful and I wonder a few things.
What's with the MacGuyver comment? Do you have some sort of deep-seated complex? I simply asked for suggestions on what, if anything, can be done and provided as much detail as I could. Perhaps your own experiences and projections led you to misunderstand what I wrote.
Is there credible proof that something happened or could happen (people playing with evidence themselves and then going to another party who in turn plays with it.
Define "credible proof." Are multiple death threats enough or does there have to be some sort of action? I don't know the answer, perhaps you do.
As for playing with the evidence, no one (including LE) has examined any evidence. So far, it has been nothing more than what the client says has happened accompanied by a couple printed pages of supposed text messages.
Lastly, where is the investigation in this (I'm being case specific now) someone committed suicide but may now be alive, either someone did or didn't commit suicide and I would tell a client, if you are retaining me, I will put this together for you, find out what happened, if the person has passed on, etc. It seems many things could have been done here and were not done.
Thanks for pointing out the generally obvious, but this was only day one. Clearly, much remains to be done.
I guess saying it's day one could be an answer. The fact would be that could be said every day. Well it's only day 5, well it's only day 10. What did you do on day one? What is your role?
It takes a few minutes to find out if someone committed suicide or not, and from there you get police to take much more interest if there is a false death type of a claim.
Not sure how the messages were printed out, but I would have done nothing with the phone especially to include having it on at anytime or able to connect to a network or to connect to a computer.
Have you thought of any liability you could be in by knowing something like this and not reporting. You'd be fine if you didn't know, but now you yourself seem to believe the claims to be credible, I'd be calling the local Detectives to give me 5 minutes and I'd make myself available yesterday…
What's with the MacGuyver comment? Do you have some sort of deep-seated complex?
Armresl for being a TV show from your generation, I'm surprised you don't know how to spell the TV character you are trying too use to embarrass other people.
It is "MacGyver"
not MacGuyver
I agree with HCSO - something ain't right. One does not hold back evidence till something substantial can be done. In fact, something substantial will not be done unless full disclosure is made.
Try to get in touch with the Investigator that they talked to and have an honest conversation with him/her. You may find that there is more to the story that meets your eye, which is why the LEA has not decided to pursue it (inconsistencies, past history… etc); or you may find out that the LEA was never approached.
It may be to your benefit to do this before you head off on a wild goose chase.
You could also have the owner take photographs of the text message screens and give them to you to show the Investigator if you want and see if that helps you one way or another. If they don't want those screenshots out of their hands, have them accompany you to the LEA. wink
Good luck.