Craigslist Investigations Presented by Wayne Nichols Craigslist Investigations
Craigslist Investigations Presented by Wayne Nichols Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Introduction • Wayne Nichols • Active law enforcement with 9 years of experience • Currently a Detective with the Henderson, Nevada Police Department – Assigned to the Computer Crimes Unit – T. F. O with the FBI (Internet Crimes Against Children) • Conduct online undercover operations • Consultant for Police. Technical. com – Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Goal and Objectives • Understanding how Craigslist works • Types of crimes found on Craigslist – – Drugs Prostitution Enticement of minors Property crimes Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Goal and Objectives (cont) • What to look for in a Craigslist posting • Tools needed to initiate investigations – – PDF capture tool Undercover email addresses Google Voice Access to LE databases • TLO. com • How to obtain information from Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
How Craigslist Works • www. craigslist. org OR www. craigslist. com • Online classified ads forum – Allows you to search and post ads in nearly every major U. S. city – Canada, Europe, Asia, Middle East Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
How Craigslist Works (cont) • The website is broke down in: – Sections – Categories – Subcategories • Important to understand the abbreviations of a subcategory Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
How Craigslist Works (cont) • ‘Personals’ section are heavily used for illegal activity • ‘Erotic Services’ created controversy for the site – Although now shut down – ‘Casual Encounters’ contains the majority of prostitution activity Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Posting to Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Posting to Craigslist • Free to post (with few exceptions) • An email address is required to post an ad – CL is now requiring a verified phone number with certain types of posting • No limit on number of postings • Every post can contain up to 4 photos • Poster can choose to list additional contact information within the post Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Posting to Craigslist (cont) • A computer is not required – Cell phones with Internet access – Applications on smart phones • Majority of classified postings expire after 45 days – The following cities have a 7 -day expiration • Boston, Los Angeles, New York, Portland, Sacramento, San Diego, Seattle, San Francisco, Washington DC Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Posting to Craigslist (cont) • Posters can additional or specified locations • There is not a verification process for listed information Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Posting to Craigslist (cont) • CL acts as the “middle man” on the initial communication – CL creates an email address within the post – Subsequent email communication takes place outside of Craigslist – Important to not bypass the “middle man” process • Prior to posting, the poster is agreeing to all terms and conditions of Craigslist • CL does “restrict” the advertisement of the following items: – Weapons, alcohol, drugs, underage enticement, hazardous materials, illegal telecommunication equipment, counterfeit currency, gambling items Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Example of Posting Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Information Captured by CL • Craigslist captures and retains the IP address associated with all postings – Including verified phone number – CL is also retaining photos included with every post (with a 2 month retention period) • Starting from the time the post expires or is flagged • Craigslist logs every posting associated with suspect’s email address – No retention period – A reverse search can also be done • By IP or email address Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Information Captured by CL (cont) • Craigslist logs limited information on all responses to a post – Email and IP address only • Along with date and time stamps – Actual message content is NOT saved • Craigslist will indicate if the posting was flagged, expired, or removed by poster • Craigslist will indicate if the posting has been modified – But only saves the most recent change – CL does not track the evolution of an ad Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Information Captured by CL (cont) • EXIF data is not saved – Photo is condensed to fit size limit standards • Administrative Subpoena / Search Warrant will be accepted by fax, email, or mail – Quicker to have the results emailed to you Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Craigslist Contact Information • Fax – 415 -504 -6394. Attention: Custodian of Records • Email – legal@craigslist. org (please send request as a PDF) • Mail – Craigslist – 1381 9 th Avenue San Francisco, CA 94122. Attention: Custodian of Records Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Subpoena Return Info Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Utilities and Forms Needed Before the Investigation Begins Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
The Essentials • PDF tool – ‘Cute PDF’ is free • Undercover email accounts – Gmail is a must for all email communication • Google Voice accounts • TLO – Free to law enforcement Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Forms • Administrative Subpoena / Search Warrant – Are you asking for all available information? • Information about previous posts – Are you providing an email address as a preferred method to receive requested information? – Include a “do not disclose” request in subpoena Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Drug Investigations Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Drugs on Craigslist • Reading between the lines is necessary – Offers of drugs are subtly embedded within legitimate postings – Important to know slang terminology • Urban. Dictionary. com • Medical themed advertisements – Theme of “Medicinal Marijuana” • Drugs and sex still go hand in hand – ‘Personals’ section will most likely yield the most results Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Where to Begin • ‘Casual Encounter’ or ‘Misc Romance’ section – Often no need to go past the main category Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Common Slang / Search Terms • Marijuana – 420, bud, medicinal, grow, hydro, weed, herb, ganja • Methamphetamine – Tina, crystal, clouds, spun • Heroin – H, OP 8 • Pills – Lortab, Tabs, Perc or Percocet, Valium, RX, Oxy, Hydrocodone, Xanax • Ecstasy – X, Molly, xtc Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Common Slang / Search Terms (cont) • Keeping up on your local crime trends – What’s popular in your jurisdiction may not be popular in another Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
420 Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Best 420 Around Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Legitimate Posting? Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Monday Tina Delivered Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Tina and Molly Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Molly Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Pills Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Got Toes? Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Very Discreet Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Prostitution Investigations Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Prostitution on Craigslist • Typically an easier type of proactive investigation to initiate – Revolving door of ads • The ‘Personals’ has several different subcategories • ‘Casual Encounters’ allows for more advanced searches Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Prostitution on Craigslist • Most target enriched categories – Women seeking: • Men (W 4 M) – Men seeking: • Women (M 4 W) • Men (M 4 M) Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Prostitution on Craigslist • Key phrases and terms are often used – – – The exchange of “roses” (most popular search term) Massages Outcall Incall or In-call Sugar, Sugar Daddy, Sugar Baby • Could be synonymous with pimps seeking out prostitutes • Searches for “outcall” and “incall” seem to be more popular in major cities • The exchange of drugs is a very popular theme Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Subtle Request Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Not So Subtle Request Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
‘Outcall’ or ‘In-call’ Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Roses Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Roses, 420, White Girls… Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Sugar Babe Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Sugar Baby Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Sugar Daddy Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Hiring Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Juvenile Enticement Investigations Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
CL vs. Chat Rooms • The offender is placing the ad – The investigation begins with the CL post • With CL, less likely to be dealing with “fantasy communicators” – More likely dealing with an offender who has made his mind up to meet • With CL, you’re communicating with someone who resides in your jurisdiction – Or will be in your jurisdiction Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
CL vs. Chat Rooms • The time between communication to an actual meeting is often very quick * – Patience of the offender – Time restraints they have (visitor in town) • Turnaround time on subpoenas to CL is much quicker – Days versus weeks • The majority of your offenders are identified prior to the meet – LE tools and email research tools are essential • TLO • Accurint Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Where to Focus Efforts • ‘Casual Encounters’ – M 4 W (men looking for women) • ‘Misc Romance’ Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Craigslist Postings • Prosecution purposes – Enticement postings fall into 3 categories • The good • The bad • The ambiguous – Important to not miss out on these types • Be mindful of potential search terms – Young, any age, girl, incest Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
The Craigslist Tool Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
The Craigslist Tool • Joseph Versace – Programmer / Analyst for Ontario Provincial Police – Works in the Child Sexual Exploitation Section – Developed the P 2 P tool e. Phex • Many more tools on the horizon • The tool allows you to search Craigslist based on location, type of ad, and while using user generated search terms Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
The Craigslist Tool (cont) • Incorporates your undercover email accounts from within the interface • Similar to e. Phex, the tool will incorporate screenshots and does the reporting for you • “Soft release” at the 2012 ICAC Conference in Atlanta, GA – Wide release in late May, 2012 – Free to all law enforcement Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
Any Questions? Detective Wayne Nichols www. Police. Technical. com nichols 1242@gmail. com Craigslist Investigations by Wayne Nichols www. policetechnical. com
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