Nearly 200 People Visiting Epstein’s “Pedo Island” Are Exposed by Mobile Data
An investigation has uncovered that nearly 200 visitors to Jeffrey Epstein's infamous island left digital breadcrumbs through their mobile devices, creating a connection between them and various locations across the globe.
This new scrutiny sheds light on the comings and goings on Epstein's island from 2016 up until his arrest in 2019, long after his 2008 conviction for procuring a minor for prostitution.
The visitors' mobile devices sent signals to ad targeting platforms, which were then analyzed by Near Intelligence, a location data brokerage firm facing its own controversies.
A detailed investigation by Wired traced these signals back to approximately 166 locations within the United States, presumed to be the residences or workplaces of the device owners. Furthermore, the study linked some of these signals to addresses in Ukraine, the Cayman Islands, and Australia.
Epstein's estate on Little Saint James, located in the US Virgin Islands, served as the epicenter for his notorious child sex trafficking operations.
The island's dark history has been extensively documented through photographs, victim accounts, and legal actions against Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, who were involved in trafficking young girls to the island for sexual exploitation.
The data examined by Wired is thought to encompass both island visitors and Epstein's abuse victims. Notably, some devices were associated with high-end properties in locations like Michigan, Florida, and Martha's Vineyard, as well as areas of socioeconomic hardship known to be home to some of Epstein's victims. Remarkably, one device transmitted data from a location directly across from Trump Tower in Manhattan.
Near Intelligence acquired this data through ad exchanges, digital marketplaces for ad space trading that can include location data, enabling the tracking of device movements. The firm recently declared bankruptcy amidst accusations of data misuse.
Lisa Bloom, an attorney for 11 of Epstein's alleged victims, expressed concern to Wired about the implications of such tracking for victims' privacy and safety, highlighting the distressing possibility of abuse survivors being monitored and their data potentially sold.
Little St James, which locals dubbed 'Pedophile Island,' became notorious for Epstein's unabashed criminal activities after its acquisition in 1998. Following Epstein's death in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, the islands were bought in May 2023 by billionaire Stephen Deckoff, who aims to convert them into a high-end resort.
This development follows a legacy of exploitation, including photographic evidence of young girls with Epstein on the island and extensive staffing to cater to Epstein and Maxwell's demands. The island, which Epstein enhanced with lavish constructions including a mysterious temple-like structure, symbolizes a disturbing chapter now closed with Deckoff's plans for transformation.