Challenge 17: The Invitation

Scenario-Based OSINT Challenge

This is a scenario-based OSINT challenge. The characters are fictional, but the location in the image is real.

BRIEF

The Bodie lead closed without incident. (Challenge 16)
There was no confrontation and no follow-up. Mrs. OSINT assisted another investigator, documented what she found, and moved on to other work.

A few days ago, while reviewing older case materials tied to Phantom Signal, she noticed something that didn't make sense. A document folder she hadn't accessed since December showed recent activity.

Inside the folder was single file she hadn't created.
It was a short typed note.

The note read:

No further explanation was provided. No contact information. No instructions beyond that.

Shortly after, an image arrived through a separate channel. No message accompanied it.

YOUR ROLE

You are assisting Mrs. OSINT as an external analyst.

Your task is to determine where the meeting is intended to take place using only the image provided and open sources.

OBJECTIVE

Using the image:
1. Identify the name of the location connected to the image.
2. Provide the full address, including city and state.
3. Explain why this location fits a 9:45pm meeting on January 17, 2026.

OPTIONAL:
4. If Mrs. OSINT needed to leave the area quickly without drawing attention, what publicly accessible environment nearby would allow her to blend in, and why?

Submissions & Timeline

This is a 48-hour scenario-based OSINT challenge.

• Deadline: Friday at 9:00 AM
• Submit your assessment using the Google form.
• Please do not share answers publicly while the challenge is open.

How This Challenge Works

Submissions are required so I can review how you approached the problem and how you explained your reasoning. In real investigations, the conclusion matters, but the explanation matters just as much.

After the challenge closes, I highlight a few strong submissions and encourage participants to share walkthroughs of how they solved it. Writing out your process is one of the best ways to build investigative skills and create portfolio-ready material.

Once the challenge officially closes, it will remain available for others to continue working through it, and feedback and discussion can take place in the comments section below.