What is a trap phone?

A "trap phone" is a mobile phone used discreetly and temporarily, often for illegal or illicit activities. The key characteristics are designed to prevent traceability and identification of the user:

• Prepaid or burner phones: These are typically purchased with cash, requiring no contract or personal information linking the user to the device. They're easily disposable after use.

• Limited functionality: Often stripped down to basic calling and texting capabilities to minimize data trails. Advanced features like GPS or internet access are avoided.

• Short lifespan: The phone is intended for a short-term use, often discarded after a single event or a brief period.

• Anonymity is paramount: The goal is to prevent law enforcement or other parties from identifying the user through call logs, text messages, GPS data, or other tracking methods.

• Not always illegal: While often associated with illegal activities, trap phones can also be used for legitimate reasons, such as protecting whistle-blowers or individuals in dangerous situations who need to communicate discreetly. However, the illegality stems from how the phone is used, not the phone itself.

Why are they used for illicit activities?

Drug trafficking, human trafficking, scams, and other crimes rely on untraceable communication. A trap phone helps perpetrators conceal their identity and actions from law enforcement investigations.

How are they detected?

Law enforcement uses various techniques, including:

• Cell tower triangulation: Pinpointing the phone's location based on signals received by nearby cell towers.
• Call detail records (CDRs): Tracking call durations and numbers dialed, though this is difficult with prepaid phones.
• Sting operations: Undercover investigations may target individuals using trap phones.
• Physical evidence: Recovering a discarded phone can provide crucial evidence.

In short, a trap phone isn't inherently illegal, but its primary use in concealing illegal activities makes it a significant tool for criminals. The anonymity offered comes at the cost of significant risk should the user be caught.