Identifying the individual behind fake, anonymous or suspicious social media profiles.
Social Media Investigators in Australia
Social Media Investigators Identifying Anonymous Accounts & Digital Evidence
Cybertrace investigates anonymous and fake social media accounts. We help victims of harassment, defamation, scams and online abuse to identify offenders, gather evidence and uncover the truth through detailed social media analysis.
100% Confidential
No Obligation
Speak With a Social Media Investigator
Tell us what happened. We'll review your situation and respond with an assessment and clear next steps.
We never share or sell your data — 100% confidential.
Being targeted online?
You Need to Know who is Behind an Account
You are being harassed or bullied. An anonymous social media account is harassing, threatening or bullying you online and you need to uncover the individual responsible.
Being blackmailed or scammed. You have sent money to a scammer or are being blackmailed by a social media account and need to find out who the offender is.
You are being cyberstalked. An unknown individual is monitoring your online activity, repeatedly contacting you or targeting you through social media and you need to uncover their identity.
You or your business is being defamed. An anonymous account is publishing damaging content about you in an attempt to defame your personal image or damage your business.
You have been catfished. You have developed a relationship with someone online and discovered they are not who they claimed to be. You need to identify the person behind the account.
You need evidence for a legal matter. You need to determine whether someone’s claims, allegations or version of events can be verified or challenged. Social media investigations can uncover relevant posts, images, videos and online activity that may assist in establishing the facts.
Meet our founder
Dan Halpin
Founder & CEO
Cybertrace is led by Founder and CEO Dan Halpin, who has more than two decades of experience in investigations, intelligence and security risk management across public and private sectors. His background includes work with Australian intelligence (ASIO), Australian Federal Police, and government agencies. This experience informs Cybertrace's practical, evidence-focused approach to cyber fraud and scam investigations.
- 20+ Years' Experience
- Australian Intelligence (ASIO)
- Australian Federal Police
How we help
We Investigate Anonymous Social Media Accounts
Cybertrace specialises in identifying the individuals behind anonymous social media profiles. Using advanced investigative techniques, proprietary tools, open-source intelligence, social media analysis and digital evidence collection, our team works to uncover the people responsible for online abuse, harassment, defamation and deception.
Expert court-ready results: As a global leader in unmasking anonymous users behind fake accounts, we produce evidence that holds up in courts around the world. Knowing who is behind an account is one thing. Having the evidence required to support legal proceedings, workplace action or law enforcement enquiries is another.
Trusted by individuals and businesses: Our social media investigators have assisted individuals, law firms, businesses, global brands, celebrities, influencers and government agencies around the world. Regardless of the size or complexity of the matter, our investigators tailor each investigation to the client’s specific circumstances and objectives.
Licensed and experienced: Cybertrace’s team consists of licensed private investigators and intelligence specialists with decades of combined investigative experience. Our investigators are fully qualified and hold a minimum of the CPP30619 Certificate III in Investigative Services.
Supporting legal outcomes: Our investigations have been crucial in civil litigation and legal proceedings in Australia, the United States and other jurisdictions worldwide. Through detailed evidence collection, intelligence gathering and analysis, Cybertrace has assisted lawyers and clients in achieving successful legal outcomes.
Providing actionable intelligence: Anonymous social media accounts often provide little information for law enforcement to act upon. Our investigations often uncover evidence, intelligence and investigative leads that can help transform an anonymous profile into a viable line of enquiry and provide police with a stronger foundation for further investigation.
Advanced tools and methods: Cybertrace has developed specialised investigative tools and intelligence-gathering methods specifically for cyber and social media investigations. These capabilities help our investigators uncover crucial information that is often otherwise difficult to identify.
International investigations: Cybercrime and online abuse rarely stop at national borders. Cybertrace regularly conducts investigations spanning multiple countries, assisting clients worldwide in matters involving anonymous offenders, social media platforms and digital infrastructure located across different jurisdictions.
Our Methodology
How We Investigate
Our investigators do not rely on a single database or technique. Instead, we combine intelligence gathering, specialised technology and investigative methodologies to uncover the truth.
01
Social Media Analysis
Comprehensive analysis of social media accounts, historic content, connections, tagged content, behavioural patterns and publicly available activity. Our investigators often uncover information and relationships that are not immediately apparent through conventional searches.
02
Open Source Intelligence (OSINT)
Advanced online investigations designed to identify linked accounts, aliases, usernames, websites, contact details, locations and digital footprints associated with an individual or account.
03
Investigative Databases and Tools
Searches of specialist investigative databases and intelligence tools to identify individuals associated with contact details, usernames, profile images, online accounts and other identifying information.
04
Technical Investigations
Where appropriate, technical investigative methods may be used to gather additional intelligence regarding account ownership and activity. In many cases, these techniques can identify IP addresses and other valuable investigative leads.
05
Social Engineering
In certain matters, our investigators may conduct discreet engagement with individuals, online communities or relevant accounts to gather intelligence, verify information and develop further investigative leads.
Our clients
Who We Assist
Cybertrace conducts social media investigations for clients throughout Australia and around the world. Our investigators assist individuals, law firms, businesses, government agencies and law enforcement in identifying anonymous account users, gathering evidence and uncovering the truth behind online activity.
Individuals and Families
Our social media investigations assist individuals and families dealing with harassment, cyberbullying, defamation, cyberstalking, catfishing and sextortion. Whether the offender is an anonymous online user, a former friend, an ex-partner or someone known to you, our investigators work to identify who is behind the account and gather evidence to support further action.
Lawyers
Social media content has become an increasingly important source of evidence in civil litigation, criminal matters, family law proceedings and defamation disputes. Law firms regularly engage Cybertrace to investigate anonymous accounts, identify online offenders and conduct detailed social media analysis to support legal proceedings.
Public Figures and Content Creators
Public figures, executives, influencers and content creators can become targets of harassment, impersonation, doxing, stalking, defamation and coordinated online abuse. Cybertrace assists high-profile individuals in identifying offenders and gathering evidence to protect their reputation and personal safety.
Businesses and Organisations
Businesses engage Cybertrace to investigate anonymous social media accounts involved in harassment, defamation, impersonation, intellectual property issues and other forms of harmful online activity. Our investigations help organisations understand who is responsible and what options are available to address the issue.
Government Agencies
Government entities have engaged Cybertrace to investigate anonymous accounts, identify individuals responsible for online misconduct and assist with matters involving information leaks, reputational attacks, harassment and other cyber-related issues.
Law Enforcement
Cybertrace regularly assists state, national and international law enforcement agencies in matters involving significant criminality. Our investigations can provide intelligence, evidence and investigative leads that support police enquiries into serious online offending.
10,000's
of accounts investigated
75%+
cases deliver actionable results
50+
databases & tools
10+
years of experience
We've helped people like you
What Do Our Clients Say?
Individuals, businesses and legal professionals who came to us to uncover the truth behind anonymous online activity.
Our process
How do our Social Media Investigations Work?
Our social media investigations are designed to identify the individuals behind anonymous accounts, uncover critical intelligence and gather evidence. As industry leaders in cyber investigations, we have conducted thousands of investigations involving harassment, cyberstalking, defamation, scams, catfishing and anonymous online offending.
- Initial Consultation Each investigation begins with an initial consultation, allowing our team to understand your situation, review the available information and conduct a preliminary assessment of the matter.
- Data Collection and Assessment Once our investigators have the required details on the accounts, suspects, and issue we can then determine the best way to proceed. We want to ensure that the case is viable and we deem there to be a sufficient chance at uncovering the offender or collecting the required evidence.
- The Investigation Our team conducts a detailed investigation using a combination of open-source intelligence, social media analysis, social engineering, specialised databases and proprietary investigative tools developed specifically for cyber investigations.
- Report is Submitted Upon completion, our findings are compiled into a comprehensive investigation report outlining the work conducted, intelligence identified, evidence obtained and any relevant recommendations.
- Next Steps Where appropriate, we may provide recommendations regarding potential next steps. Depending on the circumstances, this may include further investigation, legal action, engagement with law enforcement, platform reporting or referrals to trusted third-party professionals.
We never share or sell your data — 100% confidential.
FAQ's
Social Media Investigation FAQ's
Straight answers, no jargon.
A social media investigation involves the use of online platforms to collect evidence or information about individuals, organisations, or events.
This process includes analysing public profiles, posts, comments, images, patterns and connections across various social media networks. Social media investigations are carried out across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok and Reddit.
Social media investigations can uncover crucial evidence that may be used in legal cases on offences such as harassment, defamation or fraud.
By gathering information like digital footprints, deleted posts or hidden connections, investigators can provide key insights that support legal proceedings or dispute resolution.
Social media investigations are essential for individuals, organisations and/or legal professionals dealing with cases involving:
- Cyberbullying or online harassment
- Defamation or reputational damage
- Fraud or scams conducted through social media
- Background checks in hiring or legal cases
- Divorce or custody disputes
While it is not always possible to retrieve deleted social media posts directly from the platform, our social media investigators use advanced techniques and tools to uncover indirect evidence.
We use archived data, screenshots and information that may be found on other related accounts or websites to reveal traces of offending material.
At Cybertrace, we utilise cutting-edge digital forensics tools, open-source intelligence (OSINT) and specialised algorithms to track down information on social media platforms.
We examine user profiles, connections, posts and interactions. Our thorough analysis delivers precise, compelling and legally compliant findings that our clients can use in courts of law.
Social media investigations can help identify a variety of online crimes including:
- Identity theft
- Fraudulent activities (e.g., scams or phishing)
- Online harassment or cyberbullying
- Stalking or grooming
- Intellectual property theft
The duration of a social media investigation depends on the complexity of the case. Simple investigations may take a few days, while more complicated cases involving multiple platforms or legal evidence collection may take several weeks.
Our team will provide an estimated timeline after an initial assessment.
Yes, social media investigations are legal when conducted within the bounds of privacy laws and social media platform terms of service.
At Cybertrace, we ensure that all investigations are conducted ethically and legally, with utmost focus on protecting the privacy and rights of all parties involved.
If you suspect harassment or fraud on social media, it’s crucial to collect as much evidence as possible such as screenshots and messages, and contact professional investigators like Cybertrace. We can help identify the perpetrator and provide the necessary evidence to pursue legal action if required.
This is a highly complex process and to really have a chance at uncovering who’s behind a fake social media account, you will need to engage experts to investigate the matter. Unfortunately, the police have limited capability and interest especially if a crime has not yet been committed.
Cybertrace's social media investigations fill the gap between an anonymous account and a viable investigative lead. By combining intelligence gathering, specialist technology and investigative expertise, we help clients uncover the truth and understand their options for taking further action.
We can investigate a range of different social media platforms, some can be more difficult than others due to the platform's internal privacy settings. The platforms we investigate include the following:
• Facebook
• Instagram
• TikTok
• Snapchat
• Telegram
• Discord
• X (Twitter)
• LinkedIn
• Dating Apps