I want to open up someone’s mail and then reseal it without him
knowing about it.

I’ve tried using steam, but it doesn’t seem to work (The print comes
off the letter and sticks to the envelope, and the glue doesn’t come
unstuck anyway).

How I can do this?

Hi markabe-ga,

I have done some research and have found a couple of ways to do it.  I
know you said that you used steam but you have to make sure that you
did it the correct way or else it will not work. I have listed my
findings and their sources below.

"There are two traditional methods for reading the contents of a
sealed
envelope."
http://ccc.textfiles.com/anarchy/FREELOADING/readmail.txt



How to open a sealed envelope
"I’ve heard of two techniques, but I haven’t tried either one, so you
might want to test the theories first. They’re actually contradictory!
One idea is to put the envelope you want unsealed in plastic and
freeze it. When it’s cold, the stickiness is removed, so the theory
goes, and you can use the envelope again. This tip is actually used
for postage stamps that have stuck together but it may work for your
envelope.

The other idea is to steam the envelope with a kettle or steam machine
/ humidifier or to heat the envelope slightly with a blow-drier. This
tip comes from detective novels where there’s always someone who wants
to read a letter in a sealed envelope."

Source:
http://www.pacific.net.ph/auntwebby/2001/12/1213b.html

I hope this helps.


Best Regards


jeanwil-ga


search words 'how to open a sealed envelope'

---

Clarification of Answer by jeanwil-ga on 21 Feb 2003 02:32 PST

Hi markabe-ga,

Here is an additional source with information:

http://ccc.textfiles.com/anarchy/FREELOADING/letters.ana

Thanks

jeanwil-ga

lambsroar's suggestion was actually the best one, but at least I got
some other options as well.

ddelphi, mind your own business.

The technique used by MI5 etc. is to insert a thin pencil into the top
of the envelope (there's usually sufficient gap) and then to roll up
the document inside around the pencil and extract.

After reading, the document can be re-inserted the same way.

You should know that opening someone elses mail is a felony in the
United States.  I'm surprised that Google researchers would answer a
question that encourages illegal activity, as this is a violation of
the terms of service.

- ddelphi

Well, maybe it isn't.  Note this thread (Is a husband allowed to open
his wife's mail?): http://answers.google.com/answers/main?cmd=threadview&id=102758.

This works every time. Boil water, put it in a coffee cup, and GENTLY
steam the seal by placing the envelope directly over the top of the
cup, with no space.....basically seal off the water, and peal very
slowly, and they open right up, then reseal using the same method....

Perhaps, but the thread to which you refer is far from conclusive on
the subject.  It is hard to imagine a scenario where someone wants to
open someone else's mail surreptitiously without it being a crime.  I
think the high standards to which Google researchers hold themselves
would preclude answering this type of question.

Any researchers care to defend the opposing viewpoint?

- ddelphi

to ddelphi
perhaps markabe doesn't live in the USA
other countries have different laws
kemlo

ddelphi-ga,

Our jobs as Researchers do not include passing judgement on our
customers.  It's our job to give our customers the information they
are looking for, to the very best of our abilities, without trying to
determine their motives or morality.  We can either answer a question
or not, as our personal perspectives and comfort levels allow. 
Neither is it within our purview to "defend" another Researcher's
motives for answering.  If an answer is determined to be in violation
of the TOS, it's that individual's responsibility and the Editors will
hold him or her accountable.


--Missy