In Open Source Intelligence, the smallest details can often lead to the biggest discoveries. Investigators leverage publicly available information to piece together puzzles, uncover hidden truths, and expose larger networks.
Recently, I posed a question on LinkedIn:
"What is a small OSINT breadcrumb that helped you piece together a bigger puzzle?"
The responses were a treasure trove of fascinating examples, demonstrating the ingenuity and creativity of the OSINT community.
Below, I’ll share some of these stories, including my own, to highlight how even the tiniest clues can lead to breakthroughs.
My OSINT Breakthrough: Boarding Pass Barcodes
While researching an Instagram profile, I noticed the user shared a photo of a boarding pass on their story. They had carefully obscured their name, assuming that was enough to protect their identity.
However, boarding pass barcodes encode far more information than most people realize. Using a quick scan, I accessed the person’s full name and flight details, connecting their alias to their real identity.
This simple breadcrumb unravelled a much larger puzzle and proved the power of OSINT.
How did I do it?
Someone shared a photo of their boarding pass on Instagram, which included the unique barcode. I first cropped the barcode from the image and uploaded it to an online barcode reader.
The website decoded the barcode and revealed personal information such as the person's full name, the airline they were flying with, departure and destination airports, and seat number.
Here are two examples:
Many people don’t realize that barcodes can contain unique and sometimes personal information. In this case, it was surprisingly simple as I used a free online barcode reader to get additional details.
Community Examples: OSINT in Action
The OSINT community shared great examples of how seemingly insignificant details became pivotal in their investigations. Here are some of the highlights:
1. Location-Based Clues
- Flight Details from Social Media Posts: One investigator spotted inconsistencies in a subject's claim of flying internationally. A photo from the plane window showed a domestic flight view, while a post about drug use tied the subject to a specific terminal with only domestic flights. These details helped pinpoint the airport and narrow down potential origins.
- Google Street View Observations: An investigator viewing a target’s home on Google Street View noticed baby supplies piled outside. This suggested the individual likely had a young child, which became a critical leverage point during the investigation.
2. Visual Clues in Photos
- Reflections in Sunglasses: A suspect’s selfie with reflective sunglasses revealed their exact location. This small detail led to the uncovering of the suspect’s broader network.
- T-Shirt Logos: A logo on a t-shirt in a photo provided a key identifier, linking a suspect to a specific organization.
3. Digital Footprints Across Platforms
- Tattoo Identification: During the June 2020 protests in Philadelphia, a woman was accused of setting police cars on fire. The FBI matched a distinctive tattoo seen in protest photos with images on her Instagram. They further connected her identity through an Etsy review and LinkedIn profile, piecing together the digital breadcrumbs to identify her.
- Obituary Clues: An obituary listing family members and their locations provided key information about a suspect’s connections, leading to a significant breakthrough.
- Fraudulent Instagram Tagging: A fraudster tagged a woman on Instagram later revealed to be their "secretary" in a web of fraudulent businesses. This connection unravelled their entire scheme.
4. Background Details in Photos
- Reddit Photo Background: A user posted an image on Reddit with part of a home visible in the background. Comparing this with images of the subject’s residence confirmed they were behind multiple extremist social profiles.
Caveat: These stories were taken from the comments in the LinkedIn post, and we acknowledge the potential subjectivity in interpreting their stories.
Lessons from OSINT Success Stories
The cases above reveal several key lessons:
- Attention to Detail is Important: Small details often hold the key to larger insights, whether a barcode, a reflection, or a logo.
- Cross-Referencing Data is Powerful: Piecing together information from multiple platforms can help form a complete picture.
- Publicly Available Information is Invaluable: Social media posts, obituaries, Google Street View, and product reviews can provide important clues.
- Ethical Considerations are Essential: OSINT must always be conducted responsibly, respecting privacy laws and ethical guidelines.
Developing an OSINT Mindset
To succeed in OSINT investigations, thinking critically and creatively is essential. Here are some tips for cultivating an OSINT mindset:
- Look beyond the obvious and focus on small, overlooked details.
- Use tools like reverse image searches, barcode scanners, and Google Street View to gather additional context.
- Cross-reference information across platforms.
- Stay curious and never underestimate the value of a seemingly mundane clue.
OSINT is a discipline where creativity and persistence often lead to groundbreaking discoveries. The smallest breadcrumbs can lead to the biggest breakthroughs, from reflections in sunglasses to barcodes on boarding passes.
Have you ever uncovered a breadcrumb or solved a complex investigation using OSINT?
Read the post or leave a comment: LinkedIn Post
