Question for Federal Cyber Crime members

[OFFMason]

Hello everyone, I'm new here to the forums. I'm 19 years of age and I attend Adelphi University in New York, on Long Island. I'm currently a sophomore. I aspire to one day become a federal agent, most likely with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

My average day is spent on the internet: reading the news, browsing for interesting articles on global politics, debating my point of view on certain political and criminal topics.

You can find me on message boards, IRC Networks, and web-designing. All sorts of little tidbits that won't help me get into the Federal Bureau of Investigation. I've got a 3.379 GPA and nothing to show for it.

I'd like to do something far more interesting, at least in the eyes of the bureau. Since I spend so much time on the internet, what if I did some good with that? What to do? What to do?

What if I help track down pedophiles and help take down child-smut rings?

It seems like an interesting idea to me. I don't exactly know how I would go about doing this just yet. My technical computer skills are above average and I may be of some use.

I would like to get in contact with any federal agent looking to take on my offer of assistance. I would love to have a mentor. Please share your thoughts, both officers and agents alike. I apologize if this idea seems to be bizarre or juvenile.

[Piggy]

It's a good offer, but there wouldn't be any federal agencies that will put you on board until after you get hired into a position.

If you get a degree in Computer Science, it will help. US Customs (ICE) also does computer crimes as well as most other agencies.

[OFFMason]

I'm not looking to get on payroll or anything of that sort. Just looking to be an informant of sorts. Basically the only thing I want in return is a blurb on my resume.

Let me be more detailed about my intentions; I want to seek out pedophiles/child-smut rings on the internet, find out key information that can lead to an arrest/long-term operation/indictment (IPs, Location, ISP, Internet Storage, Pornographic Files, Logs) and pass that information onto a person within an agency that deals with such cyber crimes.

[Piggy]

I've never heard of them doing this before, they always want a Special Agent or support position doing the job. It's not that you wouldn't be capable, it's just when it comes to court time they need someone who can be backed up with training records.

[OFFMason]

I'm not looking to go to trial and testify to my technical skill on the subject of tracking hidden internet pedophiles or smut-rings.

I also don't think I'm capable of using the methods of high-end tracking and hacking that FLE agent probably undertake. I can get close though. I'm also willing to learn some things on my own.

I'd like to scour the internet and have a federal agent willing to communicate with me about the things I may find on my search. How about email - email or instant message - instant message of possible transgressions that may come about? This wouldn't be anything illegal to my knowledge.

I would be using a public work-space and IP to protect myself from both the federal government and pedophiles alike.

Agents don't have to bring my evidence into court, they can merely use any information I may provide as the building blocks for beginning a case. I'm sure that most agents wouldn't be fond of someone intruding on their territory. Maybe there is an agent with an open mind?

[Super Six 5]

You're not getting it partner.

All the work you do will have to be entered into evidence and brought to light in a Federal courtroom. The only thing hacking or intruding on someone's personal privacy is going to get you is a blurb on your criminal record, not on your resume.

No Federal agency is going to "employ" you as an informant to chase internet perverts/predators.

PLEASE leave the policing to the police!

[ChesCopPodz]

Look brother, Piggy is very politely trying to get it into your skull that you wouldn't be able to do this. Federal agencies have their own guys working on this stuff already, and they are quite busy. Even though your intentions are good, it isn't going to happen. You won't get a blurb on a resume because you won't be working under an agency. If they are going to get a conviction on someone, they are going to have the investigation done according to their procedures and done in accordance with the law by trained agents. There is nothing wrong with trying to catch these scumbags, but you have to realize that if you do it, you won't be working for/with a federal agency on it.

[Virginian]

Also, I wouldn't advise looking up child porn with the supposed intent of helping the authorities. You might find yourself behind bars instead. If you aren't willing or able to get into a job where this work is done professionally and legally, it's doubtful your help will be taken for what you intend it to be.

*edit - DC beat me to it ;)

[OFFMason]

PLEASE leave the policing to the police!

I was expecting that.

I also never said ANYTHING about being employed nor do I have the intention of claiming on my resume to have worked for a federal agency. An informant doesn't necessarily qualify as an employee of an agency.

I was very politely myself, but it seems as though you folks are becoming increasingly hostile with me.

The only thing hacking or intruding on someone's personal privacy is going to get you is a blurb on your criminal record, not on your resume.

From the looks of it, you probably aren't a fan of the NSA and Bush's agenda. I never said I was going to hack. From what I could remember, I said I wasn't exactly skilled in that area.

Actually, here it is.

I also don't think I'm capable of using the methods of high-end tracking and hacking that FLE agent probably undertake.

You're not getting it partner, I thought this was a federal forum.

[OFFMason]

You officers sure are hilarious with your sarcastic humor. I also pretty much got the point that searching for kiddy porn is bad, bad and bad. Moving on?

[Virginian]

From the looks of it, you probably aren't a fan of the NSA and Bush's agenda. I never said I was going to hack. From what I could remember, I said I wasn't exactly skilled in that area.

So basically your skills are.... finding kiddy porn?

[OFFMason]

You folks simply slay me. Who was your instructor at your academy Seinfeld?

[Bearcat06]

You folks simply slay me.

You asked a question....we given several answers by verifed LEOs....and you don't like what you hear.....

Don't like the place...? Leave......it's just that simple.....

[OFFMason]

Don't like my responses to your "great" responses? Well... awwwww... simple!

[Virginian]

Man I wish I could play the banjo.

:D