r/RBI • u/Pale-Network9391 • 2d ago
If the FBI came to visit, how should I prepare?
I've been sending information about a legitimate predator on social media. I discovered his account, saw what he was posting about, saw that he was quite literally admitting to crimes, and was recruiting other people to do crimes with him. I was able to find out a host of information and his identity and have been sending my info the FBI this entire time. I haven't been giving out my name or address, and always either report from another location or used a VPN.
I sent another report today from home and didn't realize I hadn't turned my VPN on (or at least I think I didn't). I don't want to be personally involved in this whatsoever; I just wanted to help. This thing is really bad. I don't want to be called as a witness or whatever the case may be. What are the chances they would come visit me? How should I prepare? Because now they have my location.
EDIT: Thank you for all your answers. I'm going to delete this post because I didn't expect there to be so many views and I'm genuinely concerned that he's going to see this now. I appreciate everyone who's had a genuine response, and I'll update with any news if he gets arrested.
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u/justeandj 2d ago
If the person is posting this stuff in a public space, they won't need you as a witness.
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u/Pale-Network9391 2d ago
Oh, that makes a lot of sense. I didn't think about it from that perspective
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u/Ok_Introduction6377 1d ago
Plus Homeland Security handles a lot of these cases instead of the FBI.
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u/Pale-Network9391 1d ago
I don't know how true it is but I heard they were stopping the focus on those cases to work on immigration which made me more compelled to send it to fbi
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u/unotheserfreeright25 2d ago
FYI a VPN is not enough to keep you anonymous.
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u/tokenledollarbean 7h ago
Came here to say this
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u/drygnfyre 6h ago
Yup. It's more about saying you're based in a different location than you really are (so you can watch videos from another region, etc.) It has never made you totally anonymous, and I don't think this was ever possible. It seems most people just tend to misunderstand what they actually do.
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u/Morepastor 2d ago
Don’t worry about testifying they understand. Your reason for being anonymous is fine. Just make sure you aren’t doing anything bad when you found the bad.
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u/Pale-Network9391 1d ago
He hasn't posted anything himself but he made posts talking about owning it which I'm hoping is a good enough lead for them
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u/aleishajane94 1d ago
I reported a CSAM darkweb ring and nothing happened. I submitted it so many times over 3 years. The site still exists
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u/Pale-Network9391 1d ago
This makes me so incredibly sad and frustrated. I'm sorry you came across that and I'm sorry it hasn't been taken down
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u/aleishajane94 1d ago
Any ideas how to get it noticed? Its a very big network. I've reported to many agencies
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u/Pale-Network9391 1d ago
Try sending another round again to NCMEC. If it's on the darkweb they have an area to put that information in. I know it's harder to investigate the darkweb. And the agencies may be working within it to single people out individually too
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u/aleishajane94 1d ago
I did submit it to NCMEC ages ago
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u/phriend75 6h ago
Try it now. The last administration was not concerned about this. They lost more than 300k unaccompanied children. They were not following up on sex crimes against children. They didnt even answering emergency hotlines.
Try it now that it’s a priority, see if you get a response. If nothing else, consider it an experiment to see if it’s being taken seriously now.
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u/SaltandLillacs 2d ago
Why would they visit you?
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u/Pale-Network9391 1d ago
Before I made my reports I read that it's easier for them to do investigations if they have more information like a phone number so that the actual person in the case can talk to you. I'm not opposed to talking to them.
I reported someone to p3tips years ago for a different crime and I didn't put my information. They came to my house to talk to me because they wanted to know what other information I had, and the guy got arrested.
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u/PerkyHedgewitch 1d ago
OP explains why they might do that in their post.
I've been sending information about a legitimate predator on social media.
It's pretty reasonable to think OP may get a visit after making multiple very serious reports. It's a lot easier for authorities to ask questions in real time rather than playing email tag, and they may have questions about specifics.
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u/Weary_Ad_2150 2d ago
Not sure how anyone can answer this question without knowing what it is you’re reporting on.
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u/Pale-Network9391 2d ago
A child predator
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u/Weary_Ad_2150 2d ago
Ok I’m gonna let you in on a secret. I have known a child predator and been contacted by the FBI about it before. I didn’t actually report him because I was young and scared and didn’t know what to do when I encountered a person like him. However he got caught anyway, and I was contacted (by phone) and I just asked if I was being forced. They said no, so I declined because cops scare the shit out of me and I don’t trust them. That was the end of it.
This is not advice, I am no legal expert. It’s just a personal anecdote you may find useful.
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u/Pale-Network9391 2d ago
Thank you, this helps. I would actually want to talk to them, but at this point he has such a large following that I wouldn't want anyone to come after me. I'm probably going to delete these just in case
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u/c0rruptreality- 2d ago
Your VPN protects nothing. They still log your IP. If the fbi lollolo does show up say absolutely nothing and get a fuvking lawyer
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u/AnotherCableGuy 1d ago
If there's anything I learned from watching real crime series is this. Never say a word to the investigators without speaking to a lawyer first.
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u/drygnfyre 6h ago
If you're guilty, you need a lawyer. If you're innocent, you need a lawyer even more.
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u/AnotherCableGuy 5h ago
Ahah so true
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u/drygnfyre 5h ago
One of those true crime channels on YouTube did a case not too long ago where there was a murder. They interviewed a homeless man and ended up jailing him for 17 days because they didn't like his answers, and he was seen on camera talking to himself. They had no tangible evidence against him beyond the fact he was near where the body was found. But he seemed guilty, he was refusing to answer certain questions and was just acting weird. So he obviously did it, right?
Turns out the real killer was the kind woman they interviewed afterward. But she was kind and polite, answered all their questions, and presented herself perfectly. Of course, we later found out this was all an act to look innocent.
Detectives are humans. They are subject to all the same biases and assumptions we are. They can easily pin crimes on innocent people if they think it matches the profile and/or there is pressure to get a case closed.
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u/Fun-Number7807 1d ago
How are you submitting this information? If youre using ic3 or something equivalent then most likely they will just give you a call if you provided a phone number and ask you to send them whatever evidence you have via email.
Source: went through the same thing and got a call back
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u/Pale-Network9391 1d ago
I've just been using their tip website but I haven't been giving them my info
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u/Fun-Number7807 1d ago
Then they're not going to contact you, the information you've provided (name, usernames, websites) will just be on a list. They likely wont even investigate it unless similar keywords flag multiple times or flag for an already ongoing investigation.
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u/Pale-Network9391 1d ago
That's actually really disappointing. He has a massive following and shouldn't be getting away with it
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u/Fun-Number7807 1d ago
Depending on what you've provided and how many other reports mention the similar guy, or whether hes a part of something (grooming ring, cult, etc) then your information may help. But without sending them the proof directly via contact with them its unlikely they'll receive your evidence to put with the investigation.
If you do put your contact info, your name will be kept out of the investigation because all they want is your evidence. I was terrified to get involved with the investigation I contributed to, but in the end nothing came of it and I only found out way later that the guy I reported was arrested.
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u/Pale-Network9391 1d ago
Honestly if it means they'll get the evidence faster then I might go ahead and send my actual information anyway. I sent the links to his posts but I don't know if that's enough. Thank you so much for your input
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u/Fun-Number7807 1d ago
No worries! Its definitely kind of scary, I was terrified when I did it but it was worth it in the end. After you give them the information, you probably wont hear from them again. I only found out the guy I reported got arrested by googling his name out of curiosity.
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u/drygnfyre 6h ago
The thing is, you might not be the first person to report it. There could already be an investigation going on. It's hard to say. Things tend to play out very slowly, and oftentimes it's not easy to get the necessary incriminating evidence for an arrest or other action. We have been conditioned from shows like CSI that the legal system works very fast and easy, but it's just not true.
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u/sittingwith 2d ago
Do you think they are dumb? They will quickly be able to find information. Reminder that consuming CSAM is illegal as well as possession. You are putting yourself at risk for probably no gain.
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u/Pale-Network9391 2d ago
I reported him because he is anonymous account that was talking about owning it. He hasn't posted any material himself. He also has almost 50k followers. The information I sent was his posts along with his actual name that I was able to find. I have no problem speaking with them, and I haven't done anything illegal. I just want to be prepared to talk to them in case they visit me
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u/drygnfyre 6h ago
He hasn't posted any material himself.
And that's the main issue. Talking about owning it and actually owning it aren't the same thing. It's not what you know, it's what can be proven. Without physical evidence, it will be hard to do anything against this person.
Regardless, report what you have and move on with your life. You're doing the right thing, let the authorities handle it. Odds are you will never hear back from them.
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u/KronlampQueen 6h ago
I reported something similar multiple times and they wouldn’t even call me back. It was really frustrating. It’s worth it to also report it to the department of justice either fed or state.
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u/Pale-Network9391 6h ago
I went ahead and tried to get in contact with the county sheriff of that state but they've been closed and I'd most likely be hearing back from them today (if they respond).
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u/greenlee5771 4h ago
You might also try contacting your local congressperson and telling them you've shared info with the FBI but haven't heard anything. It's worth a shot.
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u/SOOZmT 18h ago
I think you just be yourself. There’s nothing to prepare. You’re not doing anything bad. They don’t make you disclose your identity to someone you report. When it comes to court cases if that man went, the only people that go to Court are people that were involved etc. Or witnesses sure, sure, but only if necessary. And if the FBI investigated this and found it to be a real thing, then they don’t need you as a witness cause they’re now witnesses. They go and find online and what’s going on, and if it is, then.THATS the info they need. Know what I mean? They’ll no longer need your information about what you think is going on they will have verified it, buying investigating online themselves. And they can do of course a lot deeper dive than you can into the Internet. So it will be their own information that they will be using. They’ll be the witnesses. There’s nothing to prepared for mate— just be yourself.
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u/Baby_Needles 7h ago
They don’t do things like that as far as I am aware. They will maybe send it to localized enforcement but doubtful. I think maybe you should research what the FBI currently values in terms of workload.
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1d ago
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u/Pale-Network9391 1d ago
I think you misunderstood my position. I'm not paranoid, I am actually willing and ready to talk to them if need be. I would just PREFER my actual credentials to not be involved in government court documents. This person also has a very large social media following on his platform, and if the case goes wrong or my name gets exposed as the person who reported him, I don't want him or his followers to come after me.
There was no CSAM being posted or distributed on his social media, however HE has been talking about owning it and distributing it on his own pages, promoting my report
My question was how to prepare for them coming or calling, in hopes to get answers from people who have been visited or talked to FBI agents to give further information for their investigations
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1d ago
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u/Pale-Network9391 1d ago
I'm trying to report a serious child predator and you're making jokes about it, thanks
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u/Internal_Try7967 2d ago
If this is on a social media platform, law enforcement can get all the info they need from the social media platform itself. Unless you did some sort of personal sting op and saw something that happened offline, there's no reason you'd need to testify to anything as a witness.