A Phone Call, a VoIP Number, and a Lie That Almost Worked

The Story

The call came from another state and caught her attention immediately. The woman was asking a simple question: Did Covert Results employ a private investigator named John Smith? As a firm, we can’t confirm or deny information like that without understanding the context, so naturally, we asked why she was calling.

What followed was a story that unfolded quickly, leaving her shaken. She explained that John Smith had contacted her, claiming to be a private investigator with Covert Results working alongside an attorney. According to him, her teenage son had been messaging a girl online. The girl had sent explicit photos, and Smith told her that the girl was underage. He claimed the girl’s family intended to press charges.

The situation escalated when Smith instructed her to check her son’s phone if she didn’t believe him. When she did, she found messages that appeared to confirm part of the story. Already overwhelmed, the discovery pushed her into panic. At that moment, the story felt real, immediate, and terrifying.

Smith then told her there was a way to resolve the issue quietly. If she paid him, the problem could “go away,” and law enforcement would not be involved. That suggestion raised her suspicions. The details felt wrong, and the solution didn’t match how legitimate investigations or legal matters work. Trusting her instincts, she reached out directly to Agent Young, the owner of Covert Results.

Agent Young was shocked and disturbed by what he heard. The scam not only exploited a parent’s fear but also involved explicit images of someone underage, all while falsely using the name of a legitimate private investigation firm. Although the woman was not a client, Agent Young chose to step in, both to help her and to stop someone from misrepresenting his company. The fact that a scammer would involve a private investigation firm at all only reinforced how bold—and careless—these schemes have become.

How VoIP Played a Role

Agent Young began by tracing the phone number John Smith had used and quickly discovered it was connected to a VoIP system. VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, allows calls to be made over the internet instead of traditional phone lines. While this technology is commonly used by legitimate businesses, it is also frequently exploited by scammers because numbers can be easily created, manipulated, and abandoned.

Covert Results is one of the few private investigation firms in the Nashville area that uses VoIP systems extensively for investigative purposes, which made this detail stand out. When Agent Young called the number, it went straight to voicemail. The voicemail greeting confirmed the impersonation, identifying the caller as “John Smith with Covert Results.”

Agent Young called again and left a firm voicemail, making it clear that the scam had been identified and that impersonating a private investigator would not go unnoticed. While reviewing the voicemail, he noticed a distinct echo in the background—an audio detail often associated with calls originating from correctional facilities. This observation prompted further investigation, which ultimately traced the call beyond the VoIP number and back to a specific cell phone and… cell block.

When Agent Young attempted to call the number again, it had been disconnected. The disappearance was consistent with VoIP-based scams, where numbers are quickly shut down once a scammer realizes they have been identified. The priority throughout the process was speed: stopping the scam, protecting the victim, and preventing further misuse of the firm’s name.

Since 2018, reported U.S. losses from phone scams have grown from approximately $1.2 billion to over $4 billion annually. Much of this growth is tied to VoIP technology, which allows scammers to impersonate trusted professionals, spoof caller IDs, and abandon numbers quickly once identified. These figures reflect only reported cases, meaning the true impact is likely significantly higher.

Red Flags to Look For

This case is a reminder of how realistic and personal modern scams have become. They rely on fear, urgency, and just enough truth to feel convincing. Scammers are no longer targeting only random individuals—they are impersonating professionals, investigators, and attorneys to add credibility to their claims.

There are several warning signs to watch for:

• Calls that create immediate fear or panic
• Claims involving legal action paired with requests for secrecy
• Demands for payment to make the problem “go away.”
• Pressure to act quickly without independent verification
• Phone numbers that cannot be traced to legitimate organizations

If a call feels off, trust that instinct. Legitimate investigators, attorneys, and law enforcement professionals do not demand payments over the phone to avoid charges. Slowing down, verifying information independently, and reaching out to trusted sources can make all the difference.

Scams may be evolving, but awareness remains the strongest defense.

Covert Results is the premier private investigations, armed security, cyber security, and training company you’ve been searching for. Our team of highly skilled experts has amassed over 100 years of experience in all fields, from investigations to security concerns. Being a member and working within a global network called The Entrepreneurs Organization allows us to provide excellent service anywhere on Earth – truly bringing peace of mind through our world class services! Be sure to follow @CovertResults across Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for the latest information regarding investigator expertise as well as lighthearted moments shared by our community! If you need us to guide you to that peace of mind you are looking for, call or text 615-861-1680 or email contact@covertresults.com.