Why Investigators Are Essential for Discovering Fake Identities

While AI can gather and organize basic information, a human investigator can take the process further.

Artificial intelligence can work wonders. From passing the bar exam to driving cars, this advanced software can perform many functions. They can even help with identity investigations.

But, like many of the functions they perform, the results are limited; software programs and artificial intelligence can only do so much. It still takes the skills, knowledge, experience, and human intuition of a real investigator to track information, unmask real identities, follow leads, and deliver practical, useful information.

What Can Software and Artificial Intelligence Do?

An analysis of the importance of human investigators would not be complete without a brief discussion of the actual benefits of software and AI. Technology can be used to speed the investigation process by quickly gathering basic information. Using appropriate technology, investigators can download data and quickly sort through information. Translation, transcription, and accessing basic personal information (when available) are all possible with artificial intelligence.

But this is largely where it ends. To take the investigation further and deeper, an experienced professional is required.

Case Study: Multimillion Dollar Phony Jewelry Scam

We worked with a client who was considering a jewelry purchase worth millions of dollars. However, they had an uneasy feeling about the seller and (wisely) decided to hire an investigator.

Initially, our investigation looked fine. There was ample online information about the person, indicating that they were an experienced jewelry seller. An AI investigation would have stopped here.

However, we went deeper. Using multiple leads from basic information, we eventually discovered that the seller’s various online profiles were fake. The person has fabricated everything. The buyer, armed with this information, ceased contact with the “seller.”

Whether the seller actuallyhadjewelry became irrelevant. We knew this person had completely lied about their history and experience. That was enough to call off the multi-million-dollar purchase.

If the buyer had simply used AI, the purchase may have been made. But with a human investigator, the buyer avoided sending millions of dollars to someone who, for whatever reason, created a fake online presence.

What Can Human Investigators Do What Software Can’t?

While AI can gather and organize basic information, a human investigator can take the process further. Here are a few of the main benefits of hiring a human investigator.

Research in Various Jurisdictions Where PersonMayhave Lived

AI can sometimes research for information where a person isknownto have lived. For instance, if a subject is documented to have lived in a specific county, AI can sometimes search through digital records, if they are available, in this area. But it won’t connect information and make strategic investigations in other potential regions.

A human investigator can look at documents and available information on a person to discover various places, including cities and counties, where that person may have been. By conducting research and following leads in targeted areas, the chance of discovering pertinent information is increased.

Find and Follow Through with Other Leads

Tech-based investigations can only search for information with the leads and locations that it is given. A person needs to take the extra step to discover new leads.

Humans are necessary for discovering new leads. They can look through documents for clues or inconsistencies and can use this information to broaden or deepen an investigation.

Place Phone Calls, Send Emails,

If you simply need to search through databases and digital records, AI technology can meet some of this need. A person needs to make inquiries with potential contacts to discover further information.

An investigator can talk person-to-person with sources, filling in details and discovering new information that could change a decision.

Search Physical, Non-Digital Records

If the information is online and in a scannable format, AI can sometimes search these records and find the information you request. But this is often not enough.

Occasionally, investigators have to go to physical locations, such as courthouses and government offices, to look at physical paper documents for new leads and information.

Connect the Dots

Again, AI can only do what you tell it to. It can find specific names, phone numbers, and addresses from giant pools of information, which certainly has uses during investigations. But combining tech with experienced humans is still necessary to piece together information for cases.