Trace an AOL user by screen name?

[golfcart]

I need to know if there is a way to track down someone on the internet by nothing but their aol screen name. A friend of mine was sent some harrassing and threatening text messages from someone. This person knew my friend's name and stated where he lives and works so it has to be someone he knows. Aol has stated there is nothing they can do and the same with his local police. I think the screen name was just a disposable name so it's probably not even in use any more. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. These messages included very vulgar threats of great bodily harm so we would really like to find out who this person is. Thanks in advance for any ideas

[The Real Bingo]

Maybe if he uses AOL, but if its just AIM I dont think you can do anything about it. If his name is an AOL account, maybe AOL could pull up a name for you.

Hope things work out for your friend.

[Scott Tiger]

Originally posted by golfcart
Aol has stated there is nothing they can do and the same with his local police.

Man, what a crock that is.

No matter what, I'd print out all the headers and the email itself just for evidence.

It sounds like you've made all the right moves but I can't believe that if you've forwarded the email to someone at AOL that they said they can do nothing about it. I know everyone has a right to privacy but when you make threats like that to someone you give up those rights. Wonder why AOL hasn't figured that out yet..

Hope you get this resolved..

[vass0922]

If the guy shows up occasionally online youcould start a conversation with them and do a netstat to track what IP's connect to you. If anything then you have what ISP he's with and report him to the ISP.

Keep a history of your AOL chats

(hmm is this a AIM instant message, or is he with AOL?)
If he's with AOL start back at square one :/

[golfcart]

This actually happened yesterday while he was offline. The messages were sent through aim which automatically forwards them to his cell phone when he is offline. I don't think there is any kind of log information on his machine. I may create myself an aim account and see if the name comes online again. If I can get him to click on a link to one of my sites, I could at least grab the IP from the logs and find out what city or state they are in. Any other ideas would be great

[implexant]

AOL does not connect directly to the other user's computer when talking.

Your communication is relayed by the main AOL server, I don't believe you can get their IP through a netstat.

-Chris

[implexant]

Originally posted by golfcart
If I can get him to click on a link to one of my sites, I could at least grab the IP from the logs and find out what city or state they are in. Any other ideas would be great

That is an EXCELLENT idea. Probably the fastest and easiest way to do it. But you still won't get any help from their ISP (whether it's AOL or not).

-Chris

[shahani]

May not work if he's on cable like Time Warner.

[Gait_Keeper]

Originally posted by shahani
May not work if he's on cable like Time Warner.

Why??

Hmm.........

[The Real Bingo]

No, it works. My friend and I are on Comcast, and he wanted to try hacking or whatever, and he did get an IP. Just not my computer's. Probably Comcast's. I think that only works through direct connection, though.