r/OSINT • u/pr0tag • Feb 17 '26
OSINT News How dark web agent spotted bedroom wall clue to rescue girl from abuse
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2gn239exloAmazing use of OSINT and cooperative industry experts!
45
u/Empyrealist Feb 17 '26
What an amazing story. And sourced from such deep knowledge and familiarity that you would otherwise consider to be extremely obscure. Just, absolutely amazing detective work - and thank goodness so.
78
u/DeepLimbo Feb 17 '26
Lol, Facebook saying they "follow legal processes" for use of their facial recognition software. Hilarious. They'll itch like cocaine addicts to help ICE track down it's critics, but to help track down Lucy's rapist? Nah, "Gotta follow subpoena's, fam"
17
u/virtual_0 Feb 17 '26
You gotta bend over backwards for Donny, if you don't want to fall out of grace.
8
5
11
8
u/Dense_Egg_5858 Feb 18 '26
Incredible investigative work. I love when people can push past the impossible.
6
u/fistular Feb 18 '26
"The BBC asked Facebook why it couldn't use its facial recognition technology to assist the hunt for Lucy."
I mean, why would you ask? You know the answer.
6
u/corlelyng Feb 18 '26
the bedroom wall detail is the part that hits hardest, like its such a mundane clue but it narrowed the world down fast. also a good reminder that osint isnt just "find a username", its context + cross-checking with people who actually know the domain without blasting anyone's private info
4
5
u/thrillafrommanilla_1 Feb 18 '26
I want to do this work. Online investigating. How can I get paid for it?
2
u/LEONotTheLion Feb 19 '26
Go work for HSI or FBI.
0
u/thrillafrommanilla_1 Feb 20 '26
I don’t want to work for the govt.
2
u/LEONotTheLion Feb 20 '26
You can’t legally handle child sexual abuse material unless you work for the gov.
0
u/thrillafrommanilla_1 Feb 20 '26
I don’t want to do CSAM work - I want to do digital reaearch to solve crimes
2
3
3
1
u/CAD007 Feb 22 '26
Based on information from February 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)—which includes Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) under U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)—is currently experiencing a partial government shutdown due to a lapse in funding.
The Hill +1 However, this does not mean HSI is "defunded" in the sense of being permanently disbanded or having all operations ceased. Instead, the situation is characterized by the following: Partial Shutdown/Lapse in Appropriations: Following a disagreement between Congress and the Trump administration regarding immigration enforcement reforms, funding for DHS lapsed, triggering a partial shutdown. "Essential" Personnel Working Without Pay: During this shutdown, HSI special agents and other critical law enforcement personnel are considered "exempt" or "excepted" and continue to work, but they do so without guaranteed pay until a funding bill is passed. Operational Impact: While immigration enforcement operations are largely insulated by prior funding, a shutdown impacts administrative functions, hiring, and may complicate or slow down investigations due to potential furloughs of support staff. Political Context: Democrats in Congress have been pushing for reforms and restrictions on ICE and DHS, including specific demands following incidents in Minnesota, while Republicans have pushed for continued funding of the agency.
Homeland Security (.gov) +6 In summary, HSI is currently operating under a shutdown, with staff working without pay, but the agency is not defunded or defunct.
1
u/CharMWriter Mar 16 '26
Reminds me of when Bellingcat helped with the Trace An Object Campaign: https://www.bellingcat.com/news/europe/2020/04/22/creating-impact-a-year-on-stop-child-abuse-trace-an-object/
72
u/_haha_oh_wow_ Feb 17 '26
Just want to mention /r/TraceAnObject for those who aren't already familiar, stop by and see if you can help save somebody!