In pursuit of a true crime crook

Based on Lauren Collins’ 2022 New Yorker expose “Murder, He Wrote,” the new National geographic series Killer Lies: In Pursuit of a True Crime Swindler expands on the rise and fall of Stéphane Bourgoin, a self-proclaimed expert on serial killers whose fabricated stories and fraudulent claims went unchallenged for decades. Bourgoin’s story began to unravel when a group of dedicated online sleuths, known as the 4th Eye Corporation, took it upon themselves to expose the truth. Through their dogged investigation, the team uncovered the extent of Bourgoin’s deception, revealing how technology was not just a tool but an essential ally in their quest for the truth.

In our exclusive new interview with Maat, a leading computer detective in the new series, we explore the central role technology played in unraveling one of the true crime world’s most shocking deceptions. In this interview, Maat shares his perspective on how digital tools, from internet searches to social media, were instrumental in piecing together the evidence that ultimately exposed Bourgoin’s lies.

Innovation and technology today: How did technology influence the way you and your team approached the case of Stéphane Bourgoin?

Maat: To be honest, at the beginning, we didn’t use any technology for Stéphane Bourgoin’s case. Our eyes and ears were the only tools we used. Because it was not in our plans to delve deeper into his story. We thought books and TV interviews would be enough.

It became clear over time that we needed the power of the Internet. We needed it for the most important thing: to be able to talk to each other every day. This is the most important thing, and let’s say, this was the first step in this story. Next, we needed the technology to analyze some information. Compare certain facts that were not available in our respective countries (Quebec, Belgium and France). For example, we used a website to track down the man who killed his fictional girlfriend (https://www.latimes.com/projects/la-me-death-row/).

There were approximately 730 people on death row. We filtered searches on this site to try to find the one we were looking for. If this site had not existed, this would have been impossible. We also used certain websites to obtain books that were not translated in our respective countries. Plus, it was just a blessing to use technology because it helped us connect with inaccessible people like John Douglas or Micki Pistorius (you could say she is now what you could call a friend . And for us, it’s still amazing. Thanks to technology). I would like to add this: it is strange to use “machines” and end up sharing a strong friendship with people you have never met. It’s a really strange feeling but also very cool.

I&T today: How would you describe the importance of digital tools in your investigation?

Maat: We can summarize the importance of digital tools in our investigation in a single word: Essential! What we did would have been impossible in the early 2000s. The Internet is now the universal encyclopedia. Things are never lost on this. Sometimes it’s hard to find something, but there is always a place where you will find what you are looking for. And as one member of our team says: “Thanks to technology, the voices now remain and everyone can listen to them, even after many years. Before the Internet, writings survived and voices were forgotten. And unfortunately for Stéphane Bourgoin, all the lies he has told over the last 40 years are available on the web. So, it was a blessing for us.

I&T today: Are there any digital strategies that proved particularly effective in your survey?

Maat: Honestly, all the strategies we used were important. We used everything we could as a whole, like a perfectly fitted puzzle, with each piece representing a digital strategy. Everything was made to work together. But if we had to pick one or two standout strategies, they would be the simplest: sending emails and posting our video to YouTube.

I&T today: How does changing technology impact investigations like this?

Maat: This impacted our investigations by simplifying a task that, a few years previously, could have required enormous work. Of course, for some items it took longer to get what we needed, but the internet made it easier to get all the information. Sometimes you just need to be patient. I wonder how much time we would have spent working on this story if we had used the old-fashioned methods (sheets of paper, etc.). We achieved this within ten months. This could have lasted at least two years if it hadn’t been for the Internet.

I&T today: Were there times when technology hindered rather than helped your investigation?

Maat: Technology did not hinder our investigation. The only case in which we encountered difficulties was when our YouTube channel was deleted. We believe the reason is that they used an algorithm after Bourgoin’s “lawyer” contacted them for copyright infringement. We believe that after being approached by Bourgoin’s “lawyer” for alleged copyright violations, they used an algorithm. We assume that none of our videos were viewed by the people sitting at the computers at YouTube headquarters. They were removed for no apparent reason. Perhaps a better algorithm should be developed (but that’s just a guess; we don’t know if YouTube employees are actually watching or trusting the software).

I&T today: How do you see the relationship between technology and the search for truth in modern investigations?

Maat: The same word used in the second question: Essential! I believe this will become the standard method for conducting surveys over time. This is just the beginning: in a few years, this will be the only approach.

Watch the new series Killer Lies: In Pursuit of a True Crime Swindler on Hulu!