Catching someone in the act.. how to set it up?
Discussion
Let me set the scene... ( unfortunately a lot are going to be disappointed by this thread as there is no nudity or debauchery involved )
We have quiet a large social / family circle that regularly get together and on the balance of things everyone generally gets on well. For some context a casual Sunday afternoon get together will normally involve around 20- 25 people at someone’s house...
Over the last few years certain things seemed to have gone walkabout when at these get-togethers...at first it was noticed that a couple of jewellery items seem to have gone missing but the owners involved put it down to their own mistakes that they might have misplaced the items- as time as gone by, it has been suspected that it’s one particular individual and they were even confronted but it was denied.
Fast forward a couple of years it turns out the person who was suspected has a gambling problem and the immediate family knows but have been hiding it.
Most recently cash has been going walkabouts from some of the women’s hand bags... and on occasion entire wallets gone missing....
Now I’m 99% sure that it’s the same person as on one occasion, I saw this person going into a closet in one of the houses and opening up a handbag which was not theirs ... before anything got taken they stopped as they heard someone coming but fortunately did not see me.
As it was family involved I couldn’t say anything unless I had 100% proof... as the situation is getting worse and this person is calling all sorts of strife in the family. This persons is always very smug, acts high and mighty and that they cannot do anything wrong while at the same time always trying to cause issues with other people in areas that are none of their concern. The type of person who enjoys seeing problems in other peoples lives... I need to catch them in the act so they can be confronted and ultimately to stop their behaviour ....
The only way I can think to do this, is to set up a hidden camera / nanny camera and give them some bait so they take the cash out of a bag etc..
Anyone have any better suggestions to catch them... advice on setting up the trap.?
Anyone have any recommendations on a good hidden (something that would blend into a normal household ) camera that’s portable / battery operated that can be left in a room for a good few hours at least... I’m hoping to find something that gives a good picture, motion activated , wide camera angle and records onto SD or cloud somewhere...
I’m thinking once it gets used for this little adventure I can use the device later on as a home or office security device..
Just to note that if this person is caught then it’s only for our own family’s use rather than taking things to the police etc...admittedly deep inside I’m looking forward to them trying to deny it and then whipping out a video - see the look on their face..
Also no point suggesting that just stop bringing cash into the house as that won’t happen and you can’t tell all the friends and family that their is a thief amoing us ‘ so keep your handbags and wallets with you at all times..’
I need to set the trap in the next couple of weeks as there will be ample opportunity to do this and don’t think I’ll get a better opportunity...
We have quiet a large social / family circle that regularly get together and on the balance of things everyone generally gets on well. For some context a casual Sunday afternoon get together will normally involve around 20- 25 people at someone’s house...
Over the last few years certain things seemed to have gone walkabout when at these get-togethers...at first it was noticed that a couple of jewellery items seem to have gone missing but the owners involved put it down to their own mistakes that they might have misplaced the items- as time as gone by, it has been suspected that it’s one particular individual and they were even confronted but it was denied.
Fast forward a couple of years it turns out the person who was suspected has a gambling problem and the immediate family knows but have been hiding it.
Most recently cash has been going walkabouts from some of the women’s hand bags... and on occasion entire wallets gone missing....
Now I’m 99% sure that it’s the same person as on one occasion, I saw this person going into a closet in one of the houses and opening up a handbag which was not theirs ... before anything got taken they stopped as they heard someone coming but fortunately did not see me.
As it was family involved I couldn’t say anything unless I had 100% proof... as the situation is getting worse and this person is calling all sorts of strife in the family. This persons is always very smug, acts high and mighty and that they cannot do anything wrong while at the same time always trying to cause issues with other people in areas that are none of their concern. The type of person who enjoys seeing problems in other peoples lives... I need to catch them in the act so they can be confronted and ultimately to stop their behaviour ....
The only way I can think to do this, is to set up a hidden camera / nanny camera and give them some bait so they take the cash out of a bag etc..
Anyone have any better suggestions to catch them... advice on setting up the trap.?
Anyone have any recommendations on a good hidden (something that would blend into a normal household ) camera that’s portable / battery operated that can be left in a room for a good few hours at least... I’m hoping to find something that gives a good picture, motion activated , wide camera angle and records onto SD or cloud somewhere...
I’m thinking once it gets used for this little adventure I can use the device later on as a home or office security device..
Just to note that if this person is caught then it’s only for our own family’s use rather than taking things to the police etc...admittedly deep inside I’m looking forward to them trying to deny it and then whipping out a video - see the look on their face..
Also no point suggesting that just stop bringing cash into the house as that won’t happen and you can’t tell all the friends and family that their is a thief amoing us ‘ so keep your handbags and wallets with you at all times..’
I need to set the trap in the next couple of weeks as there will be ample opportunity to do this and don’t think I’ll get a better opportunity...
Edited by fizz47 on Friday 27th July 22:16
TooMany2cvs said:
Plan B. Stop inviting them.
If that's unacceptable for whatever bizarre reason, then simply lock anything valuable away while they're about.
In simple world yes - but due to it being family het together we can’t exclude one person without giving a reason - can’t give that reason until we catch them in the act...If that's unacceptable for whatever bizarre reason, then simply lock anything valuable away while they're about.
Also sometimes we get together in a household who are not aware of the situation - and can’t say anything to them until we have proof..
Quite surprised that this thread disappeared over the weekend, I thought it would be pages long by now.
How about writing something (including the person's name) with a UV pen on the notes that you leave lying around as bait.
After you relieve the person of the planted notes, you can listen to a couple of minutes of "it's my money, honestly, I've just taken it from an ATM today," before getting the UV reader out.
If there's a group of you in on it, you could each write a message on a bank note and it could turn into a competition
- bottle of champagne for whoever's caption gets the biggest "oooooh!" when it's being read out in front of a roomful of people.
Maybe not, sounds a bit like a game show that could have been devised, written and presented by David Brent.
Mind you, though, less than a tenner
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004S61Q9Q/ref=asc_df_...
How about writing something (including the person's name) with a UV pen on the notes that you leave lying around as bait.
After you relieve the person of the planted notes, you can listen to a couple of minutes of "it's my money, honestly, I've just taken it from an ATM today," before getting the UV reader out.
If there's a group of you in on it, you could each write a message on a bank note and it could turn into a competition
- bottle of champagne for whoever's caption gets the biggest "oooooh!" when it's being read out in front of a roomful of people. Maybe not, sounds a bit like a game show that could have been devised, written and presented by David Brent.
Mind you, though, less than a tenner
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004S61Q9Q/ref=asc_df_...
£50 note on the floor with wet ink or paint on the on underside left where tea leaf will find it but not to obvious, when it goes walkies have a look around and see who's got messy fingers, simples. Or alternatively put something foul smelling on the note and see who stinks, this may not work if you have council friends as they will all smell.
Johnny Raydome said:
Quite surprised that this thread disappeared over the weekend, I thought it would be pages long by now.
How about writing something (including the person's name) with a UV pen on the notes that you leave lying around as bait.
This. Worked in a bar once where we thought someone was on the take. Marked a few notes and the person was easily caught out and admitted itHow about writing something (including the person's name) with a UV pen on the notes that you leave lying around as bait.
Annoyingly I’m in a similar situation having just realised that a new camera lens worth £1800 has been stolen from my study cupboard after I’ve had several family groups over to stay.
I’ve let all parties know it’s missing in case kids had picked it up / moved / taken it, thinking this might provide a simple non-accusatory explanation should it mysteriously decide to turn up... but nothing yet.
I’ll turn the house upside down once more and if it really has gone then I’ll have to report to police and see if my insurer will cover it. The thought of a relative abusing my hospitality and stealing from me is so nauseating it makes me wonder if I’ll ever have anyone over to stay again.
I’ve let all parties know it’s missing in case kids had picked it up / moved / taken it, thinking this might provide a simple non-accusatory explanation should it mysteriously decide to turn up... but nothing yet.
I’ll turn the house upside down once more and if it really has gone then I’ll have to report to police and see if my insurer will cover it. The thought of a relative abusing my hospitality and stealing from me is so nauseating it makes me wonder if I’ll ever have anyone over to stay again.
So going to go down the IP camera route and try and hide it discreetly....
This way can use the camera afterwards for home security/ baby monitor
The bit I’m struggling is which home Ip cam should I get..
Do I go down the route of something expensive like a nest cam but then need to pay subscription and it’s wired or go for something like this...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Reolink-Argus-Rechargeabl...
This way can use the camera afterwards for home security/ baby monitor
The bit I’m struggling is which home Ip cam should I get..
Do I go down the route of something expensive like a nest cam but then need to pay subscription and it’s wired or go for something like this...
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Reolink-Argus-Rechargeabl...
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