Cell phones used to spy, stalk

By Lori Fullbright, For NEWS 9

Carla Robinson said her ex-boyfriend stalked her for three years.

It seemed like he was able to track her every move and conversation, even when he was often out of state. The FBI even checked her car for bugs and found none. Robinson was at a lost until she learned about a new software that can turn a simple cell phone into a high-tech spying tool.

"When we first started filing reports on this, cops told us there was nothing illegal about what he was doing because the laws are so far behind the technology," Robinson said.

Software can be installed on cell phones to allow someone miles away to listen to phone conversations, read text messages and overhear face-to-face conversation even when the person isn't using their phone. Check out our interactive cell phone to learn more about how the technology works.

"Knowing there is this capability is pretty scary," Robinson said.

Police said this type of electronic spying breaks state and federal laws, but proving it can be tough.

"The problem is proving a particular person did it, a particular person placed that software on the computer," said Tulsa Police Sgt. Tim Stadler with the Cyber Crimes Unit.