How to become a spy (or "convict"): curiosity on the verge of law

[Игорь Коракс]

A whole industry works for lovers of other people's secrets. An “espionage” set in Ukraine is easy to obtain without leaving your home. The range of special technical equipment for tacit information is very wide: there are handles, video cameras, computer mice, “wiretaps”, extension cords, radio transmitters, and much more. There are also “anti-spies": detectors of "bugs", "jammers" of mobile phones, etc. more.

You may not have to guess that while you are quietly working or relaxing, reading these lines, someone is following you - intervening in your personal life. In appearance, an ordinary pen or a computer mouse can hold a secret, be a special tool for “wiretapping”.

To learn about a person’s personal life, it’s not necessary to peek into a keyhole for a long time. A whole industry works for lovers of other people's secrets. ForUm correspondent decided to make sure whether it is possible to purchase a “spy” kit in Ukraine. It turned out that if you want, you can do this without even leaving your home: the famous Internet search engine for the key phrases “wiretap, bugs, Kiev” immediately produced 300 thousand results.

Going through the sites, we were convinced that the range of special technical means for tacitly obtaining information is very wide: there are handles, video cameras, computer mice, wiretaps, extension cords, radio transmitters, and much more. There are also “anti-spies": detectors of "bugs", "jammers" of mobile phones, etc.

True, this product is expensive. For example, a device that detects bugs can cost about 3,000 hryvnias. A laser detector microphone for acoustic observation (a device that can “hear” through a window) is about 7,000 hryvnias. There are also inexpensive things. For example, pens with an integrated video camera for 500-700 hryvnias, one of which ForUm tried to buy.

We did not like the cheapest pen. The choice fell on the product under the heading "Bestseller!" - a very convenient, solid pen, weighing only 30 g, worth 1,700 UAH.

Just look how versatile it is: an optical sensor - 1.3Mpx, 1LUX; internal memory - 4 Gb; operating modes - video shooting with sound; video resolution - 352 * 288, 15 frames / sec; file formats - .AVI; sound 128 kb / s; photo resolution - 640x480 in JPEG format; standard USB 2.0 port that does not require a driver; the ability to use as flash memory; food - built-in Li-ion battery, USB port (5v); operating time from one charge to 3 hours, full charge time ~ 60 min.

On the website, potential buyers are assured: “In order to order this product, please call one of the phones listed on the website, or contact by e-mail.” Goods can be delivered to any corner of the country. But it was not there…

Calling the indicated number, we heard a man's voice telling the journalist that the store did not sell this product or this type of equipment. When asked why, because there is an advertisement, a detailed description, they assured us that they did not even advertise such special equipment, and quickly said goodbye. The experiment failed. Perhaps the special goods are not sold to everyone, or maybe entrepreneurs just hid after a briefing at the SBU, at which many interesting things were told to journalists.

Who can’t and who can?

In accordance with the current legislation of Ukraine, the use of special technical means (STS) for secretly obtaining information is allowed only to subjects of operational-search activity. For example, these are the bodies of the SBU, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the border service, ”the deputy head of the SBU put on Alexei Tsymbalyuk and added that the state allowed only 31 firms to produce or sell special equipment in Ukraine.

According to the expert, listen to conversations, view mail, etc. employers can only if they have permission from the court for such actions. Otherwise, it is a crime, not corporate security.
Chatterbox - a find for the spy?

SBU experts say that most often, incredulous spouses, business partners / competitors and private detectives illegally listen to each other. And it is very difficult to determine this without the help of specialists.

Why from ordinary citizens of Ukraine to produce enemies of the state? Why break people's fates by stupidly initiating criminal cases on “heavy” articles purely on formal grounds? Why ruin the mass of working time of operational and investigative officers to “work out” this kind of criminal cases? What, there is little real work, and there is nothing more to do indicators and “drive the plan”? Does the country end up with real smuggling, organized crime, total corruption, banditry and real espionage?

Forensic expert of the Ukrainian Scientific Research Institute of Special Equipment and Forensic Expertise of the Security Service of Ukraine, Alexander Gumensky, said that the technology is developing: every day it is more powerful and inconspicuous. It can be installed anywhere, up to glasses, trinkets and ashtrays. He advises paying attention to strange gifts:

“Think about why, in the operating instructions for seemingly ordinary glasses, there is a sensitivity function, built-in memory? Why is a common household item equipped with additional technical devices? ”
Can’t you hide from the SBU?

The Security Service of Ukraine is aware of the problem of the illegal distribution and use of special technical means for secretly obtaining information and reminds: the violator risks paying a large fine for storage, distribution, use of such a “toy”: from 200 to 1000 non-taxable minimums. Also, according to the 359th article of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, you can be imprisoned up to ten years.

In 2011 alone, the SBU filed more than one hundred criminal cases, together with border guards more than 1,500 pieces of equipment were withdrawn from circulation. In the same year, the indicators are better, fewer such goods are brought to our country.

But work is still enough. In particular, as Tsimbalyuk said, on the “black market” special technical means for tacitly obtaining information can also be purchased for 200-250 hryvnias. "Spyware" equipment enters the country, as a rule, from China, through mail channels.
Serious people know how to protect their secrets.

With a request to comment on the situation with illegal surveillance in Ukraine, ForUm turned to the former head of the National Central Bureau of Interpol in Ukraine, people's deputy Kirill Kulikov. "Wiretap" is a rather expensive equipment. Yes, there are basic tools that cost a penny. But there are serious ones that cost millions. In addition, the licensing system is complex and expensive. Again, serious people who have great secrets can defend themselves. There is also special equipment for this, ”he explained.

"What to do so as not to become a victim of wiretapping? .. The best advice on the poster:" The talker is a godsend for a spy! ". And to make it easier to live, one has to do less unseemly things. Then it will not be necessary to be afraid of surveillance, and hardly anyone will need to follow you, ”the parliamentarian advised.

It’s interesting to know other people's secrets. Someone peeps out the windows, and someone likes to eavesdrop on other people's conversations in the minibus or in line. No one is safe from interference in personal affairs. But it’s one thing when it’s harmless curiosity, and another thing is surveillance, espionage, gathering dirt and the like. If you decide on the second, look in your closet, maybe there is also a skeleton lurking there.

Posted by Mariyana Shevchuk, ForUm News of Ukraine

 

[Патрушев Михаил Владимирович]

Thank! I read it with interest.

 

[Краев Евгений Леонидович]

Thank you for the article. I can say that in Russia the question of the legality of the use of special technical equipment by private detectives is regulated superficially, to say the least. Everything depends on the purpose of using the STS.

 

[@InfoPoisk]

Interesting, thanks.

 

[Матушкин Андрей Николаевич]

Thanks for working on the forum.

 

[Частный детектив. Панда. Краснодар.]

Thanks, interesting.

 

[Частный детектив Севастополь ОДБ]

It is always easier for us to prohibit EVERYTHING than to clearly regulate what is special equipment and the procedure for its use. Camera mob phone too m. used without notice to the opponent. Is that a crime too? And thanks for the article, interesting material.

 

[Детективное агентство ИКС-Инфо.]

it’s one thing when it’s harmless curiosity, and another thing is surveillance, espionage, gathering dirt and the like. If you decide on the second, look in your closet, maybe there is also a skeleton lurking there.

:!::!::!: ...: P : D

 

[ТИМУР]

Why from ordinary citizens of Ukraine to produce enemies of the state? Why break people's fates by stupidly initiating criminal cases on “heavy” articles purely on formal grounds? Why ruin the mass of working time of operational and investigative officers to “work out” this kind of criminal cases? What, there is little real work, and there is nothing more to do indicators and “drive the plan”? The country is over with real smuggling, organized crime, total corruption, banditry and real espionage? ....

Indeed, the Chekists have nothing more to do in Ukraine than to catch the curious who bought a pen with a video camera for the last money. Although .... they do not come up with extra work. Thank you for the article. Interesting.

 

[Частный детектив. Владивосток.]

Thanks, interesting!