FBI posts fake hyperlinks to snare child porn suspects

[Nbadan]

Disturbing story...


The FBI has recently adopted a novel investigative technique: posting hyperlinks that purport to be illegal videos of minors having sex, and then raiding the homes of anyone willing to click on them.

Undercover FBI agents used this hyperlink-enticement technique, which directed Internet users to a clandestine government server, to stage armed raids of homes in Pennsylvania, New York, and Nevada last year. The supposed video files actually were gibberish and contained no illegal images.

A CNET News.com review of legal documents shows that courts have approved of this technique, even though it raises questions about entrapment, the problems of identifying who's using an open wireless connection--and whether anyone who clicks on a FBI link that contains no child pornography should be automatically subject to a dawn raid by federal police.

Roderick Vosburgh, a doctoral student at Temple University who also taught history at La Salle University, was raided at home in February 2007 after he allegedly clicked on the FBI's hyperlink. Federal agents knocked on the door around 7 a.m., falsely claiming they wanted to talk to Vosburgh about his car. Once he opened the door, they threw him to the ground outside his house and handcuffed him.

Whatever you do, don't click on this link:

Playground Playmates (http://youtube.com/watch?v=XBrSLN_QH5g)

[Wild Cobra]

Well, it doesn't fit the proper definition of "entrapment." I do agree however that wireless activity can cause problems. I simply suggest anyone who has a wireless router in their home encrypt it with a unique key.

Oh... don't browse illegal porn also...

[MaNuMaNiAc]

I hate child molesters as much as anyone... but is this seriously what it has come down to?? Arresting people for clicking on a fucking link?? Doesn't anyone realize the inherent flaws in this approach???

[boutons_]

But where were the super-patriot, hyper-efficient, bad-ass FBI before 9/11? On their fat asses warming their chairs, crossing off their calendars until retirement, and playing bureaucratic politics and kiss-ass careerism.

The terrorists have won, causing a reaction where fascist-jackboots have been placed on US citizens' necks by our own govt's Nazis.

While OBL and his merry men stilll live and laugh their asses off at the unpunished destruction they have wrought on the WTC and provoked on American citizens.

[Heath Ledger]

I dare you to click on this link

Young and cute (http://www.fbi.gov)

[Wild Cobra]

I hate child molesters as much as anyone... but is this seriously what it has come down to?? Arresting people for clicking on a fucking link?? Doesn't anyone realize the inherent flaws in this approach???
There are several flaws taken at face value. I'll bet you have to do more than just one click however. They want these things to be meaningful rather than waste their time chasing the wrong people.

[DarrinS]

They'd have to do something MORE than just click on a link.

[Don Quixote]

But where were the super-patriot, hyper-efficient, bad-ass FBI before 9/11? On their fat rear ends warming their chairs, crossing off their calendars until retirement, and playing bureaucratic politics and kiss-up careerism.

The terrorists have won, causing a reaction where fascist-jackboots have been placed on US citizens' necks by our own govt's Nazis.

While OBL and his merry men stilll live and laugh their beards off at the unpunished destruction they have wrought on the WTC and provoked on American citizens.

Okay, that's fine and good, but does this have to do with illegal porn?

[boutons_]

The FBI brings down Sheriff Spitzer at Wall St's behest, and is stinging people for clicks to fake porn sites and deputizing 25K private security people to spy on everybody. Isn't the terrorist threat to destroy America the priority?

The FBI still owes us big time for 9/11 where they failed miserably. Along with dubya/dickhead/CIA, the FBI got away with no culpability for sleeping during 9/11. Now the FBI is snooping on Americans without restraint or warrants.

[Don Quixote]

Okay ... so the FBI works for Wall St. And the FBI is misguided for trying to enforce laws against child porn. Is that your position?

But yes, the priority should be on finding and killing the terrorists. So I take it you'll be voting for McCain this fall.

[MaNuMaNiAc]

There are several flaws taken at face value. I'll bet you have to do more than just one click however. They want these things to be meaningful rather than waste their time chasing the wrong people.I sure hope so.

[E20]

Dan's link is a youtube link.

[Extra Stout]

I swear, in the past couple of years, this has to be like the sixth Nbadan thread lamenting child porn sting operations by the FBI.

[smeagol]

Dan supports child porn . . .

[possessed]

I swear, in the past couple of years, this has to be like the sixth Nbadan thread lamenting child porn sting operations by the FBI.
Maybe he should change his name to NAMBLAdan.

[Aggie Hoopsfan]

I bet Dan has a problem with those Dateline NBC To Catch a Predator stories, and registered sex offender signs in sex offenders' yards too.

[smeagol]

I bet Dan has a problem with those Dateline NBC To Catch a Predator stories, and registered sex offender signs in sex offenders' yards too.

I'm too lazy to search the threads but yes, he has posted many-a threads about his discontent with Catch a Predator.

[sabar]

Slippery slope, but a legitimate person should not have reason to click the link, although one could think of a couple of scenarios where it would be a gray area:

1. accident
2. to see if it really is what it is to report it

Number one can be proved by a history check, number two you're screwed, report and don't look.

Law has a long history of the legality of entrapment. Most legal systems allow it as long as an innocent person is very unlikely to be trapped.

[Wild Cobra]

Slippery slope, but a legitimate person should not have reason to click the link, although one could think of a couple of scenarios where it would be a gray area:

1. accident
2. to see if it really is what it is to report it

Number one can be proved by a history check, number two you're screwed, report and don't look.

Law has a long history of the legality of entrapment. Most legal systems allow it as long as an innocent person is very unlikely to be trapped.
I don't see it much different than any other sting operation, and there are clear differences from providing opportunity and encouraging action. Entrapment in the latter, not the former.

Think about it. Any one here believe they would waste time and resources to trap innocent people? I have no doubt that a person would have to click on the site, then others, and develop a pattern that excludes innocent curiosity. Anyone really think that want a case that will be thrown out on day one?

[Don Quixote]

I'm not entirely convinced that the FBI is able to do this anyway, for a number of reasons ...

(1) They don't really have the manpower or resources to track every last one of these guys down. You'd have to be making, distributing, or somehow profiting from it in order to catch their attention.

(2) On a more technical level ... the internet, as some of you may know, is put together by a very large number of switches that relay the information from computer to server etc., and routers, which tell the traffic where to go. Switches and servers, I understand, do not routinely keep track of all the IP addresses that go through them. There would be too many, and most of it is useless information anyway. Furthermore, any illegal porn buyer/viewer with any savvy will go through a proxy server (in a nutshell, a server that gives the user a new IP address, thereby covering his tracks), most of which are overseas. In this case ... IF the FBI were to see a request coming in to their fake website, it could very well appear to be coming in from China or Brazil. Add that to the issue that few switches keep "records," and I imagine that it is next to impossible to catch predators unless they commit physical crimes, or allow their computer to be seized.

and (3) what is the source for the story in the first place?

[Don Quixote]

I stand corrected. I checked the Dept. of Justice website, and sure enough, the FBI got him. However, my point about the IP addresses remains valid. The FBI must have more than a server out there, but also dedicated switches that actually record and analyze all traffic. And they may even set up their own "anonymous" proxy servers.

I guess NAMBLA may have to pack up and move to Canada, then.

[Nbadan]

I swear, in the past couple of years, this has to be like the sixth Nbadan thread lamenting child porn sting operations by the FBI.


Yeah, because I shred MSNBC for their trash journalism instead of doing their responsibility of protecting the public interests by entrapping political scum, I must be a card carrying member of MABLA - idiot....

[MaNuMaNiAc]

I stand corrected. I checked the Dept. of Justice website, and sure enough, the FBI got him. However, my point about the IP addresses remains valid. The FBI must have more than a server out there, but also dedicated switches that actually record and analyze all traffic. And they may even set up their own "anonymous" proxy servers.

I guess NAMBLA may have to pack up and move to Canada, then.I just went into the NAMBLA website to check out what you were talking about... Jesus F Christ! those people are fucked up! Why the fuck is the FBI putting up fake links when there's club full of these fuckers right in the open. :lol Humor aside, its a really fucked up website :oops

[Galileo]

Think about it. Any one here believe they would waste time and resources to trap innocent people?



Nothing is more disgusting than child porn. , But from a public relations standpoint for the FBI, it is irrelevant if the people are innocent. Most publicity revolves around arrests.

So if the FBI charges you with child porn, and claims you are clicking on child porn links, your reputation is ruined. If it later turns out the charges are dropped, that is buried in the news. And there is nothing in the legal system where you are found innocent, you are found not guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The public is also likely to confuse the difference between clicking on a hyperlink, and actually engaging in real child porn.

So even if charges are dropped, many people in the public will assume you either plea bargained or you're still guilty, and got away with it.

Bottom line:

No one wants to befriend someone suspected of child porn, even if they are innocent. No matter what happens, it remains a fact on your criminal record, that "you have been charged with child pron".

[Spurminator]

I just went into the NAMBLA website to check out what you were talking about... Jesus F Christ! those people are fucked up!


You just got flagged. :oops :lol

[Homeland Security]

I just went into the NAMBLA website to check out what you were talking about... Jesus F Christ! those people are fucked up! Why the fuck is the FBI putting up fake links when there's club full of these fuckers right in the open. :lol Humor aside, its a really fucked up website :oops
Interesting. We'll see if you return there.

[spurster]

Don't click on this.

child abuse (you know what I mean)

[spurster]

Don't click on this either.

Buy Pictures of Children at "Play" (http://www.fotosearch.com/image-source/childs-play/IGS110/)

Hey, why should the FBI have all the fun creating "illegal hyperlinks"?