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NGH Speaks on Challenges of Digital Evidence in the Age of AI

Representation of Deep Fake AI Evidence

NGH Group CEO Nicholas G. Himonidis will speak at the October 8, 2025, meeting of the Nassau County Bar Association. Presented by the NCBA Matrimonial Law, Cyber Law and Ethics Committees, the educational event will cover “Fakes, Forgeries, and the Fight for Truth: Technical and Ethical Issues with Digital Evidence in the Age of AI.”

As AI-based software tools facilitate the creation of convincing deepfakes, Himonidis and forensic investigators at The NGH Group have encountered many cases involving AI-generated evidence, as well as others that require the authentication of alleged forgeries.

Thomas J. Foley, Esq., and Danielle N. Murray, Esq., Court Attorney-Referee, will also speak as featured experts on this challenging issue. Honorable Vito M. DeStefano, Administrative Judge of the 10th Judicial District and Member of the Advisory Committee on AI and the Courts, will provide opening remarks.

The event will take place at the NCBA headquarters in Mineola, N.Y., from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Registration is open to NCBA members and non-members. Attendees will receive 0.5 CLE Credits in Areas of Professional Practice and 0.5 CLE Credits in Ethics & Professionalism.

Register Today

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NGH Group Founder Discusses Financial Investigations in Divorce Cases

Podcast Image for Hidden Assets and Forensic Investigations on DivorceLawyer.com

The DivorceLawyer.com Podcast recently featured NGH Group CEO Nicholas G. Himonidis, who shared his expertise in “Hidden Assets and Forensic Investigations.”

Himonidis explains how financial investigation, through digital forensics and other means, differs from forensic accounting. Specifically, forensic accountants examine financial accounts and transactions—the “known universe of financial information.” Their efforts may reveal gaps or other discrepancies, requiring additional information, but financial investigation through digital forensics and other means focuses on the unknown.

“A big part of our job,” says Himonidis, “at least in the financial due diligence that goes on in divorce cases, is to . . . see what else may be out there.” Over the years, the NGH Group has uncovered a wide range of undisclosed assets, from real estate holdings and offshore accounts to business enterprises and, increasingly, cryptocurrency.

In one divorce case, NGH Group crypto forensic experts identified a cryptocurrency account with a little-known exchange in the U.S. holding roughly $15 million in undisclosed cryptocurrency assets.

The episode highlights common red flags that could indicate hidden assets, as well as the challenges of cryptocurrency, which makes financial investigation through digital forensics increasingly critical in asset discovery.

Listen to this free, 33-minute podcast on the complexities of uncovering hidden assets in divorce cases.

 

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NGH Group Expert Featured on DivorceLawyer.com Podcast

Divorce in the Digital Age Podcast Video Courtesy of DivorceLawyer.com.

Rob Roseman, host of the DivorceLawyer.com Podcast, recently interviewed Simon Ragona, III, Senior Forensic Consultant with the NGH Group, about “Divorce in the Digital Age.”

The episode highlights what attorneys need to know about technology in modern divorce and custody cases, including:

  • Risks of overlooked technology, such as shared accounts, unsecured devices, and vulnerable passwords
  • Challenges of uncovering cryptocurrency and other hidden digital assets and information
  • What clients and attorneys can do to protect sensitive information from spouses and hackers
  • Best practices for protecting personal and family information
  • When to use expert support (and what it can do)

Ragona also discusses how the widespread availability of AI content-creation tools has spawned a surge in AI-generated evidence in family law cases. Recent advancements in generative AI make digital forensics critical in such high-stakes litigation.

Listen to this free, 37-minute podcast on the critical role of technology in modern divorce.

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Case Study: Uncovering Fabricated Audio Evidence in a Child Custody Dispute

Paper family of three with legal gavel and Family Law letters

Background

In the midst of a contentious divorce and child custody battle, a mother submitted two digital audio recordings as evidence. These recordings allegedly captured the father making hateful, vile, and deeply inappropriate statements. If deemed authentic, the content of these recordings could have severely damaged the father’s professional reputation, jeopardized his parental rights, and irreparably harmed his relationship with his children.

Challenge

Suspecting foul play, the father’s legal team retained The NGH Group to examine the authenticity of the submitted audio files. The integrity of the recordings was critical to both the custody determination and the father’s defense against the character allegations.

Investigation

NGH conducted a forensic analysis of the audio files and additional evidence provided by counsel for the father, identifying several key red flags:

  • Both audio files were recorded using an Apple iPhone and metadata revealed they had been created ten days after the mother opened a paid subscription to ElevenLabs, a company known for AI-based voice cloning.
  • Credit card statements from joint accounts confirmed recurring charges to ElevenLabs in the mother’s name.
  • Further technical analysis showed the recordings were not captured in real time but were instead recordings of audio being played from a secondary, unknown device—a telltale sign of staged or replayed content.
  • NGH, familiar with ElevenLabs from prior educational demonstrations on fabricated audio using advanced AI software, recognized the high likelihood that the father’s voice had been cloned using the platform.

Outcome

Armed with this forensic evidence, NGH prepared an expert affidavit and assisted in drafting a preservation demand letter to ElevenLabs. A motion to seize and examine the mother’s computing devices was filed with the court. Upon review of NGH’s affidavit, the judge granted the motion. Once served with the court order, the mother confessed to manufacturing both audio recordings using ElevenLabs’ voice-cloning technology.

Impact

NGH’s work was instrumental in exposing a malicious attempt to deceive the court with AI-generated audio. Their forensic analysis not only protected the father’s legal rights and reputation but also highlighted the growing threat of deepfake evidence in family law proceedings. This case emphasizes the critical need for expert digital evidence authentication in the era of generative AI.

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ALDONYS Honors Nicholas Himonidis with Eugene R. Fink Memorial Award

ALDONYS Logo

NGH Group founder and CEO Nicholas G. Himonidis will receive the Eugene R. Fink Memorial Award from the Associated Licensed Detectives of New York State (ALDONYS). The award recognizes an individual whose contributions have enhanced the investigative and security professions.

Himonidis will receive the honor on November 7 at the organization’s 2024 Person of the Year dinner, which will take place at Jericho Terrace in Mineola, N.Y.

This year’s event will recognize fallen NYPD officer Det. Jonathan Diller as Person of the Year. Stephanie Diller will accept the award on behalf of her husband, who was killed last March during a traffic stop in Queens. The Security Officer of the Year Award will honor Aaron Salter Jr., the retired Buffalo PD lieutenant who died while protecting shoppers from a gunman in May 2022.

Proceeds from ticket sales, journal ads, and event fundraisers will benefit the foundation(s) and families of these fallen heroes.

Visit the ALDONYS website to purchase individual tickets, tables, and journal ads for the 2024 Person of the Year dinner.

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Apple’s iPhone Spyware Problem Is Getting Worse: What You Need to Know

Smartphone infected with spyware

The digital age has brought with it many advancements, but with these advancements come new challenges, one of which is the issue of spyware on smartphones. Apple’s iPhone, renowned for its security features, has recently been facing an escalating problem with spyware attacks. Reports have surfaced indicating that users in over 150 countries have been targeted by sophisticated spyware campaigns since 2021, with the latest being linked to a Chinese spyware campaign known as LightSpy.

LightSpy is a sophisticated iOS implant primarily used in espionage campaigns. It targets Apple device users and exfiltrates victims’ private information, including hyper-specific location data and sound recordings. The spyware has been distributed through compromised news sites and can harvest sensitive data from popular apps like Telegram, QQ, and WeChat. Recently, it has also been observed targeting macOS devices, posing a risk to businesses running Apple’s desktop machines.

One of the most concerning aspects of these spyware attacks is the use of “zero-click attacks,” which do not require the victim to click on a link or download an image. Instead, the spyware can be delivered via an iMessage or WhatsApp image that automatically plants the spyware on the device. This method was detailed by researchers who highlighted the use of an iMessage-based, zero-click exploit used to target a Saudi activist.

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Many users will never be targeted by such attacks, and Apple has been proactive in addressing these issues, sending out notifications to affected users and offering advice on how to protect oneself from these attacks. For iPhone users, it is crucial to stay informed about these developments and take proactive measures to protect your device and personal information. Here are some steps you can take:

  1. Stay Updated. Keep your iPhone’s operating system up to date, automatically. Apple regularly releases security patches to address vulnerabilities. (Settings > General > Software Update)
  2. Be Cautious. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or opening unexpected attachments, even from trusted sources, especially those sent via text.
  3. Secure your Devices and Accounts. Use PIN codes, complex passwords, and multi-factor authentication on all your devices and accounts. This is paramount and will greatly reduce your risk of being compromised.
  4. Lockdown. If you believe you have been targeted by a sophisticated cyberattack, utilize Apple’s Lockdown Mode, which provides an extra layer of security. Please note this is an extreme step that only allows minimal functionality of your iPhone once enabled. (Settings > Privacy & Security > Lockdown Mode)
  5. Limit App Permissions. Review app permissions and restrict unnecessary access to sensitive data. For example, disable access to your microphone, camera, or photos for apps that don’t need it.
  6. Seek Assistance. Consider seeking assistance from security experts if you suspect your device and/or accounts may be compromised.

The rise of spyware attacks on iPhones is a reminder of the ongoing battle between technological advancement and cybersecurity. It is a complex issue that requires vigilance and proactive measures from both users and tech companies. By staying informed and taking the necessary precautions, iPhone users can help safeguard their devices against these intrusive and dangerous attacks.

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Nicholas Himonidis and Simon Ragona Speak at NY AAML/AFCC CLE Event

legal divorce paper documents with pen closeup

Experts from the NGH Group will be featured in two separate CLE presentations at the upcoming annual event hosted by the NY Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) and the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC). The annual CLE Symposium will take place at the Harvard Club in Manhattan on May 3-4, 2024.

During the May 3 morning session, NGH Group CEO Nicholas G. Himonidis will take part in a panel discussion titled, “Would the Real Information Please Stand Up: Demystifying Spoofing and Fake ‘Evidence.’” A legal, forensic, and cryptocurrency expert with multiple certifications, Himonidis will offer insight into the many forms of altered and manipulated digital evidence presented in litigation, the technological advances (including AI) that have facilitated such evidence, and what lawyers need to do about it.

Simon Ragona, III, Senior Forensic Consultant with the NGH Group, will participate in two breakout sessions later that afternoon, both on “Gaming, Texting, Social Media: Blurred Parental Access Time.” The presentations will explore the effects of social media and digital interactions between children and their parents after a divorce, with the goal of helping families manage digital communication to promote the psychological well-being of children.

Learn More

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The NGH Group Releases ESI & Social Media Discovery Toolbox

Image of ESI Toolbox Launch Announcement Header

Nationally recognized e-discovery and computer forensic experts, the NGH Group has launched the ESI & Social Media Discovery Toolbox (ESI Toolbox). This subscription-based, online resource distills the experience of thousands of successful ESI and social media evidence requests into a concise, user-friendly platform. Attorneys will have all the tools and information required to obtain ESI and social media evidence, eliminating countless, frustrating hours searching for accurate, up-to-date service of process information and avoiding costly, time-consuming mistakes, such as omitting provider-specific requirements.

The $495 annual fee provides unlimited access to the following:

  • Accurate, up-to-date Service of Process Information, including provider-specific requirements to subpoena information from major data providers and social media platforms (e.g., Google, Facebook, Instagram, Yahoo, Microsoft, Apple, Verizon, AT&T, etc.), as well as leading cryptocurrency and consumer payment providers (e.g., Coinbase, Bittrex, PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, etc.)
  • How-to Guides for locating, downloading, and requesting ESI and social media evidence from specific service providers and platforms without a subpoena (when legally authorized)
  • Customizable Subpoena Templates for requesting specific types of ESI from service providers, including email and social media account holder identification, cellular subscriber information and cell tower location data, IP address assignment records, and account identification and transaction details from cryptocurrency exchanges and payment providers
  • Required (pre-filled) forms, detailed instructions, and checklists to comply with special procedures required by certain providers
  • Retention Period Data for major providers (i.e., which entities store what data types for how long)
  • Free Support, including access to experts in e-discovery and digital forensics

Frequent updates to this unique resource provide subscribers with current information from a growing library of service providers: social media, cryptocurrency, consumer payment platforms, webmail providers, cloud storage, cloud video services, Internet service providers, and cellular services.

The ESI Toolbox is as close to point-and-click e-discovery as you’ll ever find, prepared by experts in digital forensics and cyber investigations.

ESI Toolbox Button

 

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Nassau Lawyer Features Cybersecurity Guidance for Attorneys from Nick Himonidis

Attorneys generate, send, and receive a great deal of sensitive and legally privileged data. These professionals are also responsible for keeping that information safe and secure. Ultimately the firm, not the firm’s IT people, are liable if that data is accessed, stolen, or compromised in some way.

In an article for Nassau Lawyer magazine, NGH Group CEO Nick Himonidis outlines how attorneys can better secure their electronic data and the devices that access it—from the phones in their pockets to the computers on their desks. The feature story includes guidance on the following:

  • Protecting smartphones from SIM swapping attacks
  • Identifying and fortifying potential “attack surfaces” on computers
  • Securing data on cloud storage services, such as OneDrive, Dropbox, etc.
  •  … and more

With a 2022 ABA survey showing that 27% of responding attorneys and law firms reported a data breach and court cases that have found law firms liable for the safety of client data, this article provides invaluable information from a recognized industry expert. Himonidis, a recognized expert in digital forensics and cyber security, is the co-chair of the Nassau County Bar Association Cyber Law Committee.

Read the article here.

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Crazy Money Podcast Features Nick Himonidis

Crazy Money with Paul Ollinger Logo

The podcast Crazy Money with Paul Ollinger recently featured NGH Group CEO Nick Himonidis in the episode “Finding Hidden Assets in Divorce Discovery with Nick Himonidis.”

With the experience of finding tens of millions of dollars in undisclosed assets, Mr. Himonidis offers insights into:

  • How he and his colleagues go about their work
  • Why you’ll probably get caught if you try to hide assets in a divorce proceeding
  • How to hire and work with a professional investigator while searching for assets

Mr. Himonidis also discusses the importance of vetting prospective investigators to ensure they operate within legal guidelines and with a high degree of professional ethics.

Whether the hidden assets are foreign bank accounts, cash equivalents in a safe deposit box, undisclosed real estate, or hundreds of thousands in cryptocurrency, learn how professionals find these assets by listening to this episode of the Crazy Money with Paul Ollinger podcast.