Israeli mother, daughter's AI search history helped authorities track them down in Argentina

The two Israelis were initially reported missing in Vienna, Austria, about a week ago, with Israeli and Austrian authorities working together to search for them.

Israelis Mali and Liel Yahalomi were tracked down in Buenos Aires, Argentina, partly because of their AI search history, N12 News reported on Saturday.

According to the report, the mother and daughter tried to cover their tracks by deleting the search history, but authorities recovered and traced enough information to locate them.

After consulting AI on how to buy a mobile device without showing identification, the Israelis bought a cell phone in the Czech Republic, left for Germany, and then traveled on to Argentina, N12 reported.

According to N12, the two further asked AI for advice on how to delete specific mobile apps to prevent location tracking, as well as which South American countries have no extradition agreement with Israel.

Mali, Liel Yahalomi found after international search effort

The two Israelis were initially reported missing in Vienna, Austria, about a week ago, with Israeli and Austrian authorities working together to search for them.

They were found on an intercity bus in Buenos Aires early Saturday morning, according to a report by the Jewish news agency in Argentina, AJN.

Israel Police released a video after the two were located, showing its police representative in South America, Walter Alejandro Kogan, approaching Mali and Liel on the bus.

“Hi Mali, hi Liel. I’m Walter, the police representative in South America, okay? From the Israel Police Intelligence Division,” said Kogan. “I want to ask you a few questions. We were very worried about you, okay? “I’m going to get everyone off the bus, and then we’ll talk, okay?”

According to KAN News, the two women planned to change their identities and start new lives, with Mali telling Kogan that she wanted a fresh start.