Setting up online accounts with a fake name, 10 July 2025
A one-day workshop that builds skills around setting up online accounts with a fake name including ethical considerations and advice around how to protect your digital footprint.
It is the second in our five-part series of open-source intelligence skills builder CPD series for investigators and analysts.
The series builds skills and confidence around contemporary open-source intelligence techniques and operational strategies for investigators and analysts.
It is a must-attend for investigators and analysts who want to keep updated on new sites and searching techniques and conduct effective online investigations.
A task sheet will be available after the event to enable delegates to practice key techniques and learning from the workshop.
Held online via Teams. Certificates of CPD available
AGENDA - BST
10am-10.10am: Welcome and introduction, Carol Jenkins, The Investigator
10.10am-11.10am: Choosing your identity for your fake account, not just a fake name but a fake profile image and fake email address.
1
1.10am-11.20am: Questions
11.20am-11.40am: Break
11.40am.12.30pm: Choosing Your Device: best practice around setting up your account smartly and operating it effectively
12.30pm-12.40am: Questions
12.40am-12.10pm: Break
12.10pm-1.10pm: Using Your Fake Name Account: the importance of making regular posts, and how to use your account to locate online accounts for others
1.10pm-1.30pm: Questions and recap.
1.30pm: Workshop finishes
Other workshops in the series
28 April: Google and beyond: advanced searching techniques and search engines to enable you to carry out an effective investigation that maximises the use of open-source information
21 May: Social Media Investigations: maximising the potential intelligence from Facebook, Instagram, TikTok
22 May: Social Media Investigations: maximising the potential intelligence from Twitter, Bluesky, OnlyFans and Linkedin
26 June: Investigating Emails and Email Addresses: best practice around investigating emails and email addresses to prove the identity of an individual and other vital information which could provide useful to an investigation
Our expert trainer
The series will be led by established open-source trainer, speaker and investigator Neil Smith.
Neil has previously worked as an investigator in a UK force and now conducts internet investigations for a range of public and private sector organisations.
He also lectures and presents to law enforcement and other public and private sector organisations across the world.
He has been working with the Investigator since our inception and has delivered many highly successful events that have been well-received by investigators in the UK and internationally.
HOW TO BOOK
Cost: £199.50 + VAT (GBP) per delegate per workshop (LEA and Government Agency rate). £249.50 + VAT (Industry rate), per delegate
Group bookings: We offer various discounts for group bookings depending on numbers, please contact us for details.
Booking: Please send the delegates name(s), email address(es) and purchase order (made out to The Investigator) to booking@the-investigator.co.uk or telephone +44(0)844 660 8707 for further information.
Payment can be made by PayPal/debit/credit card (corporate card fees apply + 3%). The meeting link will be sent out 7 days before the event.