Common Answer: Concept of “Points of Interest (POIs)”

A Point of Interest  (POI) is defined as any location where a user stops for more than 5 minutes. This location has a diameter of 50 meters. For example: A shopping complex.  Several users will park their car for more than 5 minutes and will park within vicinity (< 50 meters) of each other.

Because no POI information was given for any of the recreational points, we used this definition to identify all such POIs. In total 129 POIs were identified. Out of these 64 POIs resulted from faulty GPS associated with cars 9 and 28. After removing these POIs, we were left with 64 POIs. These POIs were further classified as Home POIs (location where a user spends most of his nights), Work POIs (location where the user is present during office hours) and Recreational POIs (POIs which are frequented during lunch and dinner hours).

Explanation

Supporting Evidence

We analyzed POI Frequency of work, home and recreational POIs over time for weekdays and weekends to find an answer to this question. POI frequency over time represents the number of cars present at that particular POI during a particular time accumulated for all the days chosen. For example, left chart in figure 1 shows that cumulatively 181 cars were present at POI 2 (GAStech building) at 8:45 am from Jan 13^th till Jan 17^th.

Figure 1 shows POI 2 (GAStech building) frequency over time for both weekdays and weekends. As we can see people come there during work hours and go out during lunch breaks and weekends           

Figure 2 shows POI frequency distribution for Home POIs during weekdays and weekends.

Figure 3 shows POI frequency distribution of recreational POIs during weekdays and weekends.

Figure 4 shows POI Distribution for all the POIs across time for weekdays. POI distribution shows that for the selected days, which cars were present at which POIs during a particular time of the day. As we can see on weekdays during office hours all the employees come to POI 2 and at other times they either go to their home POIs or at other recreational POIs.

Figure 5 shows POI Distribution over Time for all the cars for weekends.

Based on the information provided by these charts, a day in the life of a typical GAStech employee can be summarized in the table mentioned below:

Figure 1: Work POI’s (POI_ID 2) Frequency Distribution on Weekdays and Weekends

Figure 2: Home POIs Frequency Distribution on Weekdays and Weekends

Figure 3: Recreational POIs Frequency Distribution on Weekdays and Weekends

Figure 4: POI Distribution on Weekdays

Figure 5: POI Distribution on Weekends

S. No

Explanation

Supporting Image

1

a.      What is the pattern or event you observe?
4 people from security were lurking near executives’ homes at night in a very coordinated and suspicious fashion

b.      Who is involved?

-          Loreto Bodrogi (Car 15)
 Dept: Security, From: Kronos, Joined: 2013

-          Isia Vann (Car 16)
 Dept: Security, From: Kronos, Joined: 2007

-          Hennie Osvaldo (Car 21)
 Dept: Security, From: Kronos, Joined: 2011

-          Minke Mies (Car 24)
 Dept: Security, From: Kronos, Joined: May 2013

c.       What locations are involved?

-          N Branda St 4131 3801 (POI 16)
 Ingrid Branco’s  (CFO) house

-          N Nia Ave / N Blant St (POI 53)
 Ada Corrento’s (CIO) house

-          N Bairn St / N Utmana St (POI 65)
 Orhan Strum’s (COO) house

-          N Utmana St / N Bilar St (POI 68)
 Willem Vasco-Pais’s (Environmental Safety Advisor) house

d.      When does the pattern or event take place?

-          POI 16
  car 21, Jan 13^th 23:15 – Jan 14^th 3:30 am
  car 24, Jan 14^th 3:30 – 7:45 am

-          POI 53
  car 16, Jan 6^th 23:15 – Jan 7^th 7:30 am
  car 15, Jan 7^th 3:30 – 7:30 am

-          POI 65
  car 24, Jan 8^th 23:15 – Jan 9^th 3:30 am
  car 15, Jan 9^th 3:30 – 7:30 am

-          POI 68
  car 16, Jan 10^th 23:!5 – Jan 11^th 3:30 am
  car 21, Jan 11^th 3:30 – 11 am

e.      Why is this pattern or event significant?
Because it seems they are keeping a watch of executives’ activities.

f.        What is your level of confidence about this pattern or event? Why?
The level of confidence is very high because these are newly recruited employees who hail from Kronos. Also two of them (Osvaldo and Bodrogi) share their family name with POK founders and Vann shares his family name with Julianna Vann, who is a symbol for POK

Figure 6: POI Distribution for each of the cars show their presence at home POIs of Executives

2

a.      What is the pattern or event you observe?
4 people from security have been visiting suspicious locations either in groups or at different times of the day.

b.      Who is involved?

-          Inga Ferro (Car 13)
 Dept: Security, From: Kronos, Joined: Jan 2013

-          Loreto Bodrogi (Car 15)
 Dept: Security, From: Kronos, Joined: 2013

-          Hennie Osvaldo (Car 21)
 Dept: Security, From: Kronos, Joined: 2011

-          Minke Mies (Car 24)
 Dept: Security, From: Kronos, Joined: May 2013

c.       What locations are involved?

-          N Tackan Ave / N Acera St (POI 59)

-          N Gerantoni St / N Aveny St (POI 60)

-          N Agentes St / N Maskin St (POI 61)

-          S Evripidou Ave / S Eleftherias St (POI 62)

-          N Camino St  5600 5652 (POI 63)

d.      When does the pattern or event take place?
The colored ones show multiple cars appearing together at one place.

-          POI 59
  Jan 7^th ; Car 13 ; 12:00 – 12:15
  Jan 9^th ; Car 15 ; 12:15
  Jan 10^th ; Car 13 ; 11:30 – 12:15
  Jan 10^th ; Car 21 ; 11:45 – 12:25
  Jan 15^th ; Car 24 ; 11:30 – 12:30
  Jan 17^th ; Car 17^th ; 11:30 – 12:30

-          POI 60
  Jan 7^th ; Car 15 ; 11:45 – 12:15
  Jan 9^th ; Car 13 ; 11:45 – 12:30
  Jan 10^th ; Car 24 ; 11:30 – 12:15
  Jan 11^th ; Car 15 ; 11:15 – 12:45
  Jan 14^th ; Car 15 ; 11:30 – 12:15
  Jan 16^th ; Car 21 ; 11:30 – 12:15
  Jan 16^th ; Car 24 ; 11:30 – 12:30

-          POI 61
  Jan 9^th ; Car 24 ; 11:30 – 12:30
  Jan 13^th ; Car 13 ; 12:00 – 12:30
  Jan 14^th ; Car 24 ; 11:30 – 12:15
  Jan 15^th ;  Car 21 ; 11:15 – 12:30
  Jan 15^th ; Car 15; 11:30 – 12:15
  Jan 15^th ; Car 13; 12:00 – 12:15

-          POI 62
  Jan 7^th ; Car 24 ; 11:30 –12:30
  Jan 8^th ; Car 21 ; 11:30 – 12:30
  Jan 11^th ; Car 21 ; 11:15 – 18:45
  Jan 13^th ; Car 15 ; 12:00 – 12:15
  Jan 16^th ; Car 13 ; 11:45 – 1230

-          POI 63
  Jan 8^th ; Car 15 ; 11:30 – 11:45
  Jan 8^th ; Car 24 ; 11:30 – 12:15
  Jan 9^th ; Car 21 ; 11:30 – 12:30
  Jan 17^th ; Car 15 ; 11:15 – 12:30
  Jan 17^th ; Car 13 ; 11:30 – 12:00
  Jan 18^th ; Car 13 ; 11:30 – 13:00

e.      Why is this pattern or event significant?
Because these POIs doesn’t correspond to Home, Office or Recreational POIs and are visited only by these 4 people at a very fixed window during the day

f.        What is your level of confidence about this pattern or event? Why?
Very High. These POIs might have further clues about missing employees.

Figure 7: POI Distribution for each of the cars show a cluster near POI 59-63 and around 11:30 – 12:30

3

a.      What is the pattern or event you observe?
It seems Hennie Osvaldo (car 21) has two houses. He has been sleeping on Weekdays (except Wednesdays) at POI 57 and on Weekends & Wednesdays at POI 64

b.      Who is involved?

-          Hennie Osvaldo (Car 21)
  Dept: Security, From: Kronos, Joined: 2011

-          POI 57 is also the home POI for Inga Ferro, Loreto Bodrogi, and Isia Vann

-          POI 64 is also the home POI for Lidelse Dedos and Birgitta Frante

c.       What locations are involved?

-          N Edessis St / N Karanteg St (POI 57)

-          N Karanteg St / N Agentes St (POI 64)

d.      When does the pattern or event take place?

-          At POI 57 on Weekdays except Wednesdays

-          At POI 64 on Weekends and Wednesdays

e.      Why is this pattern or event significant?
Because Hennie Osvaldo is the only employee who seem to have two houses. Further he is also involved in other suspicious activities.

f.        What is your level of confidence about this pattern or event? Why?
Very High. It is also possible that one of the ladies Lidelse or Birgitta is Hennie’s partner as he is spending night at their home POI. Identifying Hennie’s partner and questioning her might give further information about Hennie’s plans.

Figure 8: Hennie Osvaldo’s POI Distribution over different days.

As can be seen on some days he sleeps at POI 57 and on others at POI 64

4

a.      What is the pattern or event you observe?
Hennie Osvaldo along with Lidelse Dados and Birgitta Frente have consistently been present at POI 64 between times 1745 – 1930 on weekdays

b.      Who is involved?

-          Hennie Osvaldo (Car 21)
  Dept: Security, From: Kronos, Joined: 2011

-          Lidelse Dados (Car 14)
  Dept: Engineering, From: Tethys, Joined: 2003

-          Birgitta Frente (Car 18)
  Dept: Engineering, From: Tethys, Joined:1999

c.       What locations are involved?

-          N Karanteg St / N Agentes St (POI 64)

d.      When does the pattern or event take place?

-          Every weekday between 17:45 and 19:30

e.      Why is this pattern or event significant?
Because it involves Hennie Osvaldo. In his very erratic schedule, this is the only one he has been consistently adhering to.

f.        What is your level of confidence about this pattern or event? Why?
Very High. As evident from the previous event, Hennie has been spending nights at this POI and there is something special about these two ladies with respect to Hennie. This is something the authorities should explore further.

Figure 9: As can be seen, Cars 14, 18 and 21 are all present at POI 64 consistently every weekday around 18:00

5

a.      What is the pattern or event you observe?
Some of the employees were present at Kronos Capitol on 18^th during the day

b.      Who is involved?

-          Loreto Bodrogi (Car 15)
  Dept: Security, From: Kronos, Joined: Aug 2013

-          Kanon Herrero (Car 22)
  Dept: Security, From: Tethys, Joined: 2008

-          Adra Nubarron (Car 25)
  Dept: Engineering, From: Tethys, Joined: 2007

-          Edvard Vann (Car 34)
  Dept: Security, From: Kronos, Joined: Aug 2013

c.       What locations are involved?

-          Kronos Capitol / Abila Park (POI 66)
  N Acera St / N Ermou St

d.      When does the pattern or event take place?

-          January 18^th in the afternoon around 13:30

e.      Why is this pattern or event significant?
Because this POI is not a home, office or recreational POI. Also Kronos Capitol is the place where luncheon for GAStech employees was scheduled to happen. Further, it involves Loreto Bodrogi, who has been involved in other suspicious activities.

f.        What is your level of confidence about this pattern or event? Why?
Very High. It is quite possible that the security team went there to ensure proper security arrangements for January 20^th luncheon and because Loreto Bodrogi, who is suspicious, was also present, it is quite possible that he used this information to his benefit during the kidnapping.

Figure 10: Map shows that Cars 15, 22, 25 and 34 were present at POI 66 on January 18^th

6

a.      What is the pattern or event you observe?
An employee has been spending nights at the company

b.      Who is involved?

-          Lucas Alcazar (Car 1)
  Dept: IT, From: Tethys, Joined: 2010

c.       What locations are involved?

-          GAStech Office
  S Utanfor St / S Els St

d.      When does the pattern or event take place?

-          January 6^th 22:30 – January 7^th 01:15

-          January 8^th 21:45 – 23:45

-          January 15^th 22:45 – January 16^th 00:15

-          January 17^th 20:45 – 22:45

e.      Why is this pattern or event significant?
He is the only employee who has been spending nights at the office.

f.        What is your level of confidence about this pattern or event? Why?
Very High. As he is the only employee who has been present off-hours there are very high chances that he did something suspicious to abet the kidnappers for their kidnapping.

Figure 11: Lucas Alcazar (Car 1) POIs Distribution over Time across Days

7

a.      What is the pattern or event you observe?
For some of the credit card swipes, the employees were present at different location than the establishment where the car was swiped

b.      Who is involved?

-          Kanon Herrero (Car 22)
  Dept: Security, From: Tethys, Joined: 2008

-          Lucas Alcazar (Car 1)
  Dept: IT, From: Tethys, Joined: 2010

-          Linnea Bergen (Car 6)
  Dept: IT, From: Tethys, Joined: 2004

-          Felix Resumir (Car 30)
  Dept: Security, From: Tethys, Joined: 2003

c.       What locations are involved?

-          Abila Zacharo

-          Frydos Autosupply n more

-          Guy’s Gyro

-          Hippokampos

-          Kalami Kafenion

-          U-pump

d.      When does the pattern or event take place?

-          Abila Zacharo
  Car 22 was present at GAStech on Jan 9^th, 13:47
  Car 30 was present at GAStech on Jan 8^th, 13:51

-          Frydos Autosupply n more
  Car 1 was present at Ouzeri Elian on Jan 13^th, 19:20

-          Guy’s Gyro
  Car 22 was present at GAStech on Jan 14^th, 13:59

-          Hippokampos

  Car 22 was present at GAStech on Jan 17^th, 13:38

-          Kalami Kafenion
  Car 6 was present at GAStech on Jan 17^th, 13:16

-          U-pump
  Car 1 was present at Hippokampos on Jan 13^th, 13:18

e.      Why is this pattern or event significant?
These are the only four employees showing this kind of activity, with Kanon Herrero showing this trend thrice. While everyone were present at GAStech building during their credit card swipe, Lucas Alcazar who is also a suspect in another activity, was present at different establishment during that time.

f.        What is your level of confidence about this pattern or event? Why?
The presence of Lucas Alcazar makes this interesting event, as he is also a suspect in another events.

Figure 12: Employees location at the time of credit card swipe

8

a.      What is the pattern or event you observe?
One particular spending of Lucas Alcazar is suspicious

b.      Who is involved?

-          Lucas Alcazar (Car 1)
  Dept: IT, From: Tethys, Joined: 2010

c.       What locations are involved?
Frydo’s Autosupply n More

d.      When does the pattern or event take place?
Jan 13^th 19:20

e.      Why is this pattern or event significant?
Lucas spent 10,000 at Frydos Autosupply, which is abnormally high for employees from IT, department. Also, even for Lucas this is an abnormally high spending, as he doesn’t spend this much at any other establishment. Further, even for Frydos Autosupply, this is an abnormally high sale as most of their sale is under 1,000. Lastly, Lucas was present at Ouzeri Elian when this charge occurred to his card.

f.        What is your level of confidence about this pattern or event? Why?
Very High. This is an outlier spending and that too under suspicious conditions. It is important to know the reasoning behind this.

Figure 13: Lucas Alcazar’s Spending Analyzed in different ways

9

a.      What is the pattern or event you observe?
GPS data associated with cars 9 and 28 seem corrupt

b.      Who is involved?

-          Axel Calzas (Car 9)
  Dept: Engineering, From: Tethys, Joined: 1997

-          Elsa Orilla (Car 28)
  Dept: Engineering, From: Tethys, Joined: 2004

c.       What locations are involved?
GPS broken

d.      When does the pattern or event take place?
For all the days

e.      Why is this pattern or event significant?
Identification of the reason behind broken GPS can be significant

f.        What is your level of confidence about this pattern or event? Why?
High. Although it seems like a case of corrupt data, finding who might have tempered with the GPS might be interesting in this case

Figure 14: POI distribution of Cars 9 and 28 after hiding Home, Work and Recreational POIs

10

a.      What is the pattern or event you observe?
Fourteen employees went to Lars Azada’s House on Friday Night

b.      Who is involved?

-          Lars Azada (Car 2) – Home Owner

-          Lucas Alcazar, Felix Balas, Isak Baza, Linnea Bergen, Isande Borrasca, Nils Calixto, Axel Calzas (doubtful, car 9), Gustav Cazar, Lidelse Dedos, Birgitta Frente, Vira Frente, Adra Nubarron, Marin Onda, and Brand Tempestad

c.       What locations are involved?
N Ketallinias St / N Delfon St

d.      When does the pattern or event take place?
January 10^th from 7:30 pm till midnight

e.      Why is this pattern or event significant?
Because this is the only case of planned employee gathering

f.        What is your level of confidence about this pattern or event?_Why?
Medium. This seems like harmless event. Possibly the employees went to Azada’s house to celebrate Friday night.

Figure 15: Map display of all the cars present at POI 8 on January 10^th

11

a.      What is the pattern or event you observe?
 3 of the food joints have all the credit cards swiped at 12 noon.

b.      Who is involved?
Several employees

c.       What locations are involved?

-          Bean there done that

-          Brewed Awakening

-          Jack Magical Beans

d.      When does the pattern or event take place?
Everyday at noon

e.      Why is this pattern or event significant?
A possible financial fraud

f.        What is your level of confidence about this pattern or event? Why?
Low. Doesn’t seem to be related to the disappearance of the employees.

Figure 16: Employees’ location at the time of credit card swipe

12

a.      What is the pattern or event you observe?
For Kronos Mart, even though the credit card swipe information is available at minute level, the information seems to be incorrect as the employees are spread out all over the map rather than clustering at one particular location.

b.      Who is involved?
Several employees

c.       What locations are involved?
Kronos Mart

d.      When does the pattern or event take place?
At different times

e.      Why is this pattern or event significant?
A possible financial fraud

g.      What is your level of confidence about this pattern or event?_Why?
Low. Doesn’t seem to be related to the disappearance of the employees.

Figure 17: Employee’s location at the time of credit card swipe at Kronos Mart

S. No

Uncertainties and Conflicts

Supporting Image

1

Missing POI Data

-          No “points of interests’ were provided in the geo-spatial data which makes it difficult to identify suspicious locations. A suspicious location is one, which is not a recreational or home or office location.

-          Hence there was a need for the identification of Recreational POIs.

-          Credit Card Swipe times, POI Frequency over time, POI distribution over time and Visual map of Abila were used to identify POIs

Figure 18: Identification of Recreational POIs

2

Missing Truck Assignments to Truck Drivers

-           No information about which truck was assigned to which driver has been provided, thereby making analysis of truck drivers difficult

-           The trucks were analyzed by mapping their POIs on the map and correlating them with Abila tourist map and the credit card expenditure of the truck drivers

-          Nothing suspicious was found other than the fact that people from facilities spend considerably larger as compared to other employees. Looking at their spending trend, we can see that it is primarily for business transactions and that’s why such high amounts.

Figure 19: Analysis of Truck POIs

3

Corrupt GPS Data

-           For cars 9 and 28, the GPS appears to be broken, which led to the discovery of several false POIs

-          Once it was determined that cars 9 and 28 have faulty GPS, all the POIs associated only with these cars were discarded from further analysis. This led to the removal of 64 POIs out of 129 total POIs.

Figure 20: POI Frequency data for discarded POIs resulting from Car 9 and 28

4

Data of Varying Resolution

-           While credit card data was available to the minute, the loyalty card information was available only at day level.

-           Several of the transactions were missing either from credit card data or loyalty card data.

-          Total expenditure for a person was determined by finding the union set of expenditure for each day for each establishment for each employee.

Figure 21: Analyzing Loyalty and Credit Card spending against Total spending