By Douglas J. Hagmann

Before you read the expertly crafted report by John and Nisha Whitehead here, I wanted to add a few things with which I have very recent personal experience as a veteran and credentialed investigator. This summer, myself and a team of experienced and extremely successful investigators conducted an intense and extensive investigation in Western Pennsylvania, at times at loggerheads with federal, state, and local law enforcement. 

During this high-profile investigation, we were able to access proprietary geofencing reports as described in the Whitehead article. The amount of information available is stunning, to say the least. Excerpted from the report, consider the following:

“This creepy new era of government/corporate spying—in which we’re being listened to, watched, tracked, followed, mapped, bought, sold and targeted—has been made possible by a global army of techno-tyrants, fusion centers and Peeping Toms.” -John & Nisha Whitehead

Having cut my investigative teeth on the most rudimentary of electronic surveillance devices in the 1980s and mastering the “art” of covert physical surveillance by now antiquated “gumshoe” techniques, I am astounded by the technological advantages available to today’s law enforcement. We’ve gone from the techniques contained within the old dime-store detective novels to advantages written about in science fiction books and movies. For the most part, your privacy is a thing of the past.

Where you’ve been, how long you were there, how you got there and who you were with are easily obtainable in today’s world. It’s difficult to make yourself invisible to “big brother,” a situation written about and discussed by John Whitehead in his previous books, some of which he is the co-author. 

While I’ve operated as a surveillance operative in this realm, I’ve also found myself as the target of surveillance, especially of late. Perhaps the most disturbing factors of being a surveillance target by federal law enforcement is their ability to track an individual by their cell phone, laptop, GPS device, or any electronic device in (my) possession. I experienced this during my investigative activities in Western Pennsylvania which had a destabilizing and disruptive effect on my lawful tasks being conducted for a legitimate client.

Although John and Nisha Whitehead explain other measures of tracking in their article, carrying a cell phone is perhaps one of the easiest methods employed by law enforcement, whether such methods are sanctioned or not. While you might think that such tracking of your movements by the government through third parties is of little concern to you considering that you are merely going about your daily routine, I would ask you to reconsider your thoughts. Lately, many cases have been built by instances of proximity based on your cell phone. Rather than cite examples, you can takes a few minutes to review how you could be inadvertently caught up in a government sponsored case, such as those who were in DC on January 6, 2021, yet your activities were completely innocuous. 

During my months-long (and continuing) investigation in Western Pennsylvania since last July, I experienced several unnerving events involving government sanctioned surveillance where agents appeared at my destinations. On at least one occasion, I was prevented from engaging in lawful investigative activity due to real-time electronic surveillance. 

It is for those reasons that I now routinely use surveillance countermeasures, whether I’m running errands or engaged in sensitive investigations. Such countermeasures have saved me a lot of grief and made the job of the government entities a bit more difficult in the process.

You don’t have to be involved in any unlawful or even questionable activity to be the target of electronic surveillance – it’s routine, regardless who you are or what you are doing. The best and most effective surveillance counter-measure I made, along with my investigative team, was to leave my cell phone at my office and travel with my satellite phone. If you are unable to secure the use of a satellite phone despite the expense being similar to modern cell phone plans, then invest in a faraday bag to make your cell phone “invisible” to all prying eyes, even those who use the data collected for marketing purposes. I found this to be an extremely effective method of avoiding prying eyes and witnessed the results firsthand and immediately. 

Put ALL of your electronic devices inside a faraday bag when not in use, including key FOBs now so prolifically in use for all newer vehicles. You’ll thank me later.

When you finish reading the article referenced by the headline and available in its entirety HERE,  VISIT DARK BAGS AND THE SATELLITE PHONE STORE to peruse your options – not just for you, but for your loved ones. When Steve Quayle and I talk about this matter, it is not an “infomercial” as some claim, but something much more important, and something that is born from necessity. 

Whether involved in a tricky investigation or just going about your day, it is important for you and your loved ones to be protected from prying and potentially nefarious eyes. 

NOW, READ THE EXCELLENT ARTICLE WITTEN BY JOHN AND NISHA WHITEHEAD AND AFTER YOU’RE DONE, PROTECT YOURSELF AT THE ABOVE LINKS (or again, here and here).

Douglas J. Hagmann, CEO

HAGMANN INVESTIGATIVE SERVICES, INC.

HOST, THE HAGMANN REPORT