The ‘Mr. Big’ Technique

The ‘Mr. Big’ technique, a sophisticated and intricate method employed in criminal investigations and intelligence directives across various jurisdictions globally. This stratagem is an undercover operation, designed to lure suspects into a fabricated criminal organization to elicit confessions or gather incriminating evidence.

As with any specialized tradecraft, it’s paramount that the operatives involved are well-versed in the principles and techniques to ensure both efficacy and legality.

Much like the recruitment process in covert operations, the ‘Mr. Big’ technique involves building a relationship with the target—usually a suspect in a criminal investigation. This staged relationship evolves over a period, culminating in an encounter with ‘Mr. Big’, the faux leader of a criminal enterprise.

The operative orchestrating this scenario seeks to extract a confession or evidence implicating the suspect in the crime being investigated.

          The Phases of a Mr. Big Operation

Phase 1:   Initial Contact and Rapport Building

The first phase is about establishing contact with the suspect. Operatives should possess superior social engineering skills, as the initial rapport sets the stage for future interactions. Casual encounters, such as meeting at a bar or through mutual acquaintances (also undercover operatives), are engineered to start a relationship.

Phase 2:   Inculcation into the Organization

Once rapport is established, the suspect is gradually introduced to a ‘criminal organization’, which is, in reality, a fabrication populated by undercover operatives. Low-level crimes or morally ambiguous activities may be staged to gauge the suspect’s commitment and loyalty to the cause.

Phase 3:   Escalation and Pressure

This phase involves upping the ante. The operatives can share fabricated internal problems or potential threats within the organization, adding psychological pressure on the suspect. This is where tradecraft becomes more complex, as mistakes can compromise the operation and potentially breach legal boundaries.

Phase 4:   The ‘Mr. Big’ Reveal

The climax arrives when the suspect meets ‘Mr. Big’, often staged as a secret, high-stakes meeting. Here, the suspect might be confronted subtly with their crime and may feel compelled to confess to win ‘Mr. Big’s’ trust.

          How to Execute the ‘Mr. Big’ Technique

STEP 1)   Planning and Team Assembly

STEP 2)   Legal Review

STEP 3)   Psychological Profiling

STEP 4)   Execution and Adaptation

STEP 5)   Evidence Gathering and Documentation

STEP 6)   Debriefing and Legal Proceedings

          A Narrative Example of the ‘Mr. Big’ Technique

Agent Bravo adjusted his ball cap and stepped into “Riley’s Sports Bar,” a local watering hole frequented by the target, John Doe. He found a seat at the bar and ordered a drink. Forty-five minutes later, John walked in. The time had come to initiate Phase 1.

“Hey, don’t I know you?” Bravo said, catching John’s eye as he walked past.

John hesitated, then shrugged. “You look familiar, but I can’t place it.”

“We used to play basketball together, back in high school,” Bravo lied smoothly, invoking fabricated memories to establish rapport.

“Oh, yeah! Long time, man. What have you been up to?” John was hooked. Phase 1: Initial Contact and Rapport Building was now in motion.

—

Over the next few weeks, Bravo integrated himself into John’s life, while also introducing him to Agent Alpha, portrayed as a minor criminal. They engaged in staged activities: underground poker games, contraband exchanges, and minor hacking operations led by Agent Charlie from the tech unit.

During these activities, John was exposed to scenarios designed to test his loyalty and gauge his risk tolerance. His profile indicated that he craved excitement and had a rebellious streak, making him more susceptible to the allure of a criminal organization. The team had successfully moved into Phase 2: Inculcation into the Organization.

—

One evening, Alpha called John for an urgent meeting. “We have a rat in our organization,” Alpha said, his tone heavy with fabricated concern.

John looked uneasy. “What do you mean? Who is it?”

“That’s what we need to find out,” Alpha said, pulling John deeper into the narrative web. “You’re not the rat, are you, John?”

John vehemently denied it, swearing loyalty to the ‘organization.’ This opened the door to Phase 3: Escalation and Pressure.

—

A week later, Alpha informed John that the ‘rat’ had been dealt with, and it was time to meet the boss, ‘Mr. Big.’

In a dimly lit room, designed to resemble a high-stakes criminal headquarters, Agent Echo sat at a desk filled with fake blueprints and maps.

“Sit down, John,” Echo said, not looking up. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Likewise,” John replied, visibly nervous but also intrigued.

“I know you’ve been involved in some activities that didn’t exactly go by the book,” Echo said, locking eyes with John. “We can offer you protection, opportunities, but you need to be fully transparent with us. No secrets.”

The room was thick with tension. The entire operation, months of meticulous planning and execution, led to this moment: Phase 4, The ‘Mr. Big’ Reveal.

John sighed, then started talking. Within minutes, the team had what they were after—a confession to the unsolved murder.

Agent Alpha, listening from the adjacent room, gave a nod to Agent Delta, the legal advisor. Delta confirmed that the confession met all legal requirements to be admissible in court. The team had successfully executed the mission, employing the ‘Mr. Big’ technique to perfection.

—

The operation was a blend of tradecraft, psychology, and legal maneuvering, executed with the precision of a well-planned covert operation.

The ‘Mr. Big’ technique is not without its critics and ethical concerns, but when executed proficiently, it can be an invaluable tool in criminal investigations. It requires a marriage of advanced social engineering and stringent legal oversight, akin to the orchestration of a covert operation.

Mastery over this technique can lead to the resolution of cases that might otherwise remain cold, but a single misstep can compromise its success.

Agents and operatives must approach it with the diligence and expertise befitting a mission of high stakes and higher rewards.