TL;DR
- Agent ULP initiates Operation Paper Trail via random phone call with 20-60 minute wait times
- Visit IAA building to join other players’ sessions and bypass waiting periods
- Six cooperative missions investigate oil price conspiracy between Duggan family and FIB
- Triple GTA$ and RP rewards available during launch week for significant level progression
- Mission completion requires team coordination and strategic approach to maximize rewards
The Criminal Enterprises update introduced substantial new content to GTA Online’s dynamic world, including the challenging Operation Paper Trail IAA mission that requires strategic thinking to initiate properly.
Released on July 26th, this major content expansion brings fresh gameplay experiences to Los Santos, with Operation Paper Trail standing out as a highlight for players seeking narrative-driven covert operations.
This undercover assignment tasks players with uncovering the truth behind Los Santos’ skyrocketing oil prices, blending espionage elements with high-speed vehicular action and complex criminal conspiracy investigations. The mission structure emphasizes teamwork and strategic planning throughout its six distinct operational phases.
Operation Paper Trail follows the established IAA mission framework, beginning with Agent ULP who serves as your primary contact within the intelligence agency. His latest intelligence suggests collusion between the powerful Duggan crime family and FIB operatives to artificially inflate petroleum costs for undisclosed motives that form the core investigative thread.
Initiating Operation Paper Trail relies entirely on passive triggering mechanics rather than player-initiated actions. Agent ULP will contact you via in-game phone when operational parameters are met, requiring no specific location visits or additional phone calls to activate.
The calling system operates on variable timers, with community reports indicating wait periods ranging from 20 minutes to a full hour before receiving the mission invitation. This random timing element can frustrate players seeking immediate access to new content.
Strategic workaround: Position yourself near the Los Santos IAA headquarters building to receive session invitations from players who have already triggered the mission. Since all Operation Paper Trail missions mandate cooperative play, you’ll frequently encounter join requests when in proximity to mission start locations.
Upon receiving ULP’s call, answer immediately and proceed to the designated mission marker that appears at the IAA facility. This approach significantly reduces waiting time while providing immediate access to the mission series.
Pro Tip: Engage in other activities like vehicle customization or property management while awaiting ULP’s call to make productive use of the waiting period.
Mission sequencing within Operation Paper Trail adapts to your team composition and progression, though all six operations must eventually be completed for full narrative resolution. The mission roster includes varied objectives that test different gameplay skills from stealth infiltration to intense vehicular combat scenarios.
Between mission phases, players face additional waiting periods for subsequent ULP communications or can manually trigger the next operation by visiting the persistent ‘U’ marker on their map interface.
Reward structures fluctuate based on mission completion performance, with current triple GTA$ and RP bonuses making this an ideal period for substantial character advancement. While monetary gains remain moderate, the experience point accumulation proves exceptionally valuable for rapid level progression.
Advanced Coordination: Form dedicated teams with complementary skill sets—designate drivers, hackers, and combat specialists to optimize mission efficiency. For comprehensive team building strategies, consult our Class Guide to understand role specialization benefits.
The Criminal Enterprises update continues expanding GTA Online’s gameplay possibilities across all available platforms, with Operation Paper Trail representing a significant addition to the game’s cooperative mission offerings.
The Criminal Enterprises update in GTA Online is now live for all systems
Common Pitfall: Many players attempt to solo these missions despite explicit cooperative requirements, wasting valuable time. Always ensure you have at least one reliable teammate before commencing operations. For more mission strategies, see our Complete Guide to tactical approaches.
Action Checklist
- Enter GTA Online and engage in regular activities while awaiting ULP’s call
- Travel to IAA building if impatient, await invitation from active mission hosts
- Assemble balanced team with diverse skills—consider weapon specialists from our Weapons Unlock guide for optimal loadouts
- Complete all six missions during triple reward week for maximum progression benefits
- Monitor map for ‘U’ markers between missions to bypass phone call delays
No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » GTA Online Update: How To Start Operation Paper Trail Mission Master the new IAA Operation Paper Trail mission with expert strategies and time-saving tips