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MALANDRO
Guide

How to report information about a wanted fugitive

6 steps · approx 15 min to read

If you believe you have information about a wanted fugitive, the single most important rule is: contact the issuing agency directly, not law-enforcement in general and never third parties. Here is the procedure, step by step.

  1. Step 1

    Identify the issuing agency

    Open the profile on Malandro and click the 'Source' link at the bottom. That takes you to the official notice on the issuing agency's site — FBI, Interpol, Europol, UK NCA, Policía Nacional or Guardia Civil. The issuing agency is the one that wants the information.

  2. Step 2

    Use the agency's official tip channel

    The FBI accepts tips at tips.fbi.gov or 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). Interpol routes tips through each country's National Central Bureau — in most countries this is a division of the national police. Europol publishes direct tip links on each subject's page on eumostwanted.eu. Never use unofficial intermediaries.

  3. Step 3

    Prepare the information you want to share

    Useful information includes: current location or recent sightings, identity documents the subject is using, vehicles, associates, employer, and any physical traits that match or differ from the notice. A photo or video is gold. Do not guess — say 'I am not sure' when you are not sure.

  4. Step 4

    Decide whether to stay anonymous

    Most tip channels accept anonymous tips. However, reward programmes almost always require the tipster to be identifiable when the reward is paid. If the reward matters to you, start with a pseudonymous-but-traceable contact — for example a dedicated email address you can control — so the agency can reach back to you.

  5. Step 5

    Do not approach the subject

    Wanted subjects are often dangerous. Even if they look unthreatening, the police will take the tip seriously precisely because the subject may be armed, desperate, or part of a larger network. Do not confront them, do not film them confrontationally, and do not try to arrest them yourself. Report and step back.

  6. Step 6

    Expect to be contacted

    If the tip is actionable the agency will usually follow up — sometimes immediately, sometimes weeks later. If the subject is captured, the tipster may be asked to testify. Rewards, when paid, usually arrive only after conviction, not arrest.

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