Bellingcat Challenge on yag.xyz

Bellingcat Challenge #18 "Alpine Adventure" Writeup

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 11:04:39 +0900

This article was automatically translated from Japanese by AI.

Challenge

Bellingcat Challenge #18 “Alpine Adventure”

Sometimes you just need to escape it all. This mountain lake is a perfect place to relax and enjoy the view.

What is the name of this body of water?

Solution

A Google reverse image search of the distinctive mountain identifies it as Hallett Peak. A photograph titled “Hallett Peak from Bear Lake” in the search results shows that the view from near Bear Lake matches the challenge image.

Bellingcat Challenge #17 "Hot Stuff" Writeup

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 10:58:39 +0900

This article was automatically translated from Japanese by AI.

Challenge

Bellingcat Challenge #17 “Hot Stuff”

Names change! In open source research it’s often useful to find up to date information about the names or designations of people, places and things.

The large number identifying this helicopter has been changed since this photo was taken. Can you find its new number?

As of July 2024, what is the tail number and large number of this helicopter? (Use the format TAILNUMBER-LARGENUMBER, i.e AB-CDE-99)

Bellingcat Challenge #16 "Up The Creek" Writeup

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 10:16:59 +0900

This article was automatically translated from Japanese by AI.

Challenge

Bellingcat Challenge #16 “Up The Creek”

Gazing out of an airplane window gives you a unique perspective on the world. In this case, it’s a view of a meandering river!

Different aircraft fly at different altitudes, but this small plane was high enough to capture the river’s winding path.

What is the name of the river in the photograph? (don’t include “River” in your answer)

Bellingcat Challenge #15 "On The Metro" Writeup

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 10:03:26 +0900

This article was automatically translated from Japanese by AI.

Challenge

Bellingcat Challenge #15 “On The Metro”

Watching the metro go past.

Where is the photographer, what is the line, and where is the train heading?

What is the destination station for this train?

Solution

A Google Images search for Subway train with red line exterior striping returned Subway in Prague and Metro train passing station at high speed. The trains in these images share the same visual characteristics as the challenge image, identifying it as the Prague Metro.

Bellingcat Challenge #14 "Foul Play" Writeup

Fri, 04 Sep 2026 09:07:46 +0900

This article was automatically translated from Japanese by AI.

Challenge

Bellingcat Challenge #14 “Foul Play”

This is what it looks like to be on the receiving end of a foul ball at a baseball game.

Be careful out there! But who is responsible for this hit?

What is the name of the batter?

Solution

The scoreboard displays 31 DELOACH. Searching for it led to Zach DeLoach’s player page, which lists him with number 31. The batter is therefore Zach DeLoach.

Bellingcat Challenge #12 "What a Dump!" Writeup

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 10:05:40 +0900

This article was automatically translated from Japanese by AI.

Challenge

Bellingcat Challenge #12 “What a Dump!”

Sometimes the most interesting things are found in the most unexpected places…

… but sometimes those places are full of trash.

This dumpster is in an alley somewhere, but where?

Where was the photographer standing when they took this photo? Use latitude and longitude in decimal format with three decimals (12.345, -67.890).

Solution

The shape of the dumpster and a notice marked WA indicated that the photo was taken in the U.S. The howard u graffiti also suggested an area near Howard University in Washington, D.C.

Bellingcat Challenge #11 "Name that street!" Writeup

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 09:16:21 +0900

This article was automatically translated from Japanese by AI.

Challenge

Bellingcat Challenge #11 “Name that street!”

There are plenty of areas to walk in cities around the world, and this street is one of them.

But where is it?

What is the name of this street?

Solution

The roadside sign indicates that the photo was taken in Germany. The name JP STOFFE is also visible on a storefront near the center of the image.

Bellingcat Challenge #10 "Synoptic Code" Writeup

Thu, 03 Sep 2026 09:07:03 +0900

This article was automatically translated from Japanese by AI.

Challenge

Bellingcat Challenge #10 “Synoptic Code”

This is a morse code transmission received on the 13th October 2024. The sender is thought to be the Yelnya, a Russian ship operating on the Black Sea.

.-. -.-. …- / -.. . / ..- -.-. - .- ….. / .—- …– .—- —.. .—- / —-. —-. …– ….- ….. / .—- —– …– ….- -…. / ….- .—- -…. —-. —.. / …– ..— ….- —– ….. / .—- —– ..— —.. —– / ….- —– .—- ..— —– / ….. ….- —– —– —– / –… —– ..— —– —– / —.. …– ….. —– —– / ..— ..— ..— ….. ..— / —– —– ..— —.. —– / .—- …– —– .—- ..— / -… - / .- .-. / ..- -.-. - .- ….. / -.

Bellingcat Challenge #9 "Clouded Perception" Writeup

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 16:48:22 +0900

This article was automatically translated from Japanese by AI.

Challenge

Bellingcat Challenge #9 “Clouded Perception”

This serene lake is a beautiful sight, but something is off: this image has been manipulated.

What should we do if an image is altered, either by hand or with AI?

What is the 6 digit number hidden in the image?

Solution

I checked the EXIF data and tried Google Image Search, but neither produced any useful information.

Bellingcat Challenge #1 "A Sticky Situation" Writeup

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 09:43:00 +0900

This article was automatically translated from Japanese by AI.

Challenge

Bellingcat Challenge #1 “A Sticky Situation”

In August of 2022, Bellingcat’s Foeke Postma found himself looking over this beautiful view, complete with a Bellingcat sticker!

But where was this enviable mountaineering adventure taking place?

What is the name of the mountain on which Foeke was standing?

Solution

Running the stickers through Google Image Search revealed the logo of Der Steinbock, a bouldering gym in Linz, Austria, the word Zillertal, and the logo of a brass band from Tyrol, Austria.

Bellingcat Challenge #7 "Operation Fleet Finder" Writeup

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 08:53:34 +0900

This article was automatically translated from Japanese by AI.

Challenge

Bellingcat Challenge #7 “Operation Fleet Finder”

Here are a handful of naval ships moored together, but grey is the only colour in sight.

They all look the same! Can you help identify them?

What is the MMSI number for the left-most ship?

Solution

Running the image through Google Image Search showed that the vessels are Nimitz-class aircraft carriers. The carrier in the center bears the number 69, identifying it as USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Bellingcat Challenge #5 "Lost in the Fog" Writeup

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 08:53:33 +0900

This article was automatically translated from Japanese by AI.

Challenge

Bellingcat Challenge #5 “Lost in the Fog”

For this photo Nick was stood in a field shrouded in a thick fog. At least it looks like there’s an airport nearby.

But what airport is it? It’s not complex if you know how to look!

What is the ICAO code for the airport?

Solution

The image appears to offer no useful information at first glance, but its EXIF data still contains GPS coordinates showing that it was taken at 51.1703, -4.6667.

Bellingcat Challenge #4 "The Rider's View" Writeup

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 08:53:32 +0900

This article was automatically translated from Japanese by AI.

Challenge

Bellingcat Challenge #4 “The Rider’s View”

This street scene was captured by Giancarlo, but perhaps he left out an historic detail.

What nearby monument can the rider see from their vantage point?

The monument is to a person, what is their name?

Solution

The image contained no direct indication of its location, so I ran several of the visible buildings through Google Image Search. The distinctively colored building on the right led to an Airbnb listing, which placed the scene in Bogotá, Colombia.

Bellingcat Challenge #2 "Flamin-Go Find It!" Writeup

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 08:53:31 +0900

This article was automatically translated from Japanese by AI.

Challenge

Bellingcat Challenge #2 “Flamin-Go Find It!”

When Kolina was out and about she snapped this shot of some friendly flamingos.

These wading birds are known for their long legs and bright pink plumage, and can be found all around the world. Can you wade through this challenge to find them?

What is the name of the area in which you’d find these flamingos?

Bellingcat Challenge #6 "Fully Stocked" Writeup

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 05:26:55 +0900

This article was automatically translated from Japanese by AI.

Challenge

Bellingcat Challenge #6 “Fully Stocked”

Container vessels are a common sight in ports around the world, but this one is particularly well-stocked.

They’re a vital part of the global supply chain, but where is this one moored?

In which city would you find this port?

Solution

I ran the bridge in the center of the photo through Google Image Search and identified it as the Köhlbrand Bridge in Hamburg.

Bellingcat Challenge #3 "Pulling Focus" Writeup

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 20:37:40 +0900

This article was automatically translated from Japanese by AI.

Challenge

Bellingcat Challenge #3 “Pulling Focus”

When Aiganysh was travelling by car, she took this photograph of a building. Despite her best efforts, the building came out a little blurry.

Can you figure out what the building is used for?

What is the function of this building?

Solution

I ran the sign in the center of the photo through Google Image Search. AI Mode read the text as КАЗАН-КУЙГАН АЙЫЛЫ, which led me to Kazan-Kuygan in Kyrgyzstan. The bollards visible near the center of the photo also match the characteristics of Kyrgyzstan described in Plonk It’s Kyrgyzstan guide.