How Fugitives Evade Capture and Acquire a New Identity: The Hidden World of Identity Changes in the U.S.
In the United States, between 400,000 and 500,000 fugitives currently evade capture. These individuals, for crimes ranging from misdemeanours to severe felonies, often avoid arrest for years, sometimes even decades, by assuming new identities. The methods they use to acquire these identities are varied, resourceful, and surprisingly accessible. This article delves into the strategies fugitives use to develop new identities, including pursuing a new legal identity and a second passport, with detailed case studies illustrating the lengths to avoid detection.
The Importance of a New Identity
Acquiring a new identity is crucial for fugitives to evade capture. A fresh identity helps them sever ties with their past, making it difficult for law enforcement to track them. This transformation isn’t just about a new name; it involves a complete change, including new identification documents, a different look, and a restructured lifestyle.
Adopting a new legal identity can be complex. It involves multiple steps and requires navigating illegal networks. Each method has its own set of risks and challenges. It can mean the difference between freedom and incarceration for those on the run.
Purchasing an Identity on the Street or Internet
One accessible method for acquiring a new identity is purchasing fake identification documents. These documents are available from street vendors, online marketplaces, or the dark web. The dark web, accessible only via particular browsers like Tor, provides anonymity. On the dark web, criminals can purchase anything from fake IDs and passports to social security numbers and birth certificates.
Case Study: The “Clark Rockefeller” Case
Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter, a German national, assumed the identity of “Clark Rockefeller.” He claimed to be a member of the Rockefeller family. Gerhartsreiter infiltrated high society, married a successful businesswoman, and lived an abundant life for years. He used fake documents to support his fabricated persona, which allowed him to evade capture for decades. His deception was uncovered during a custody dispute over his daughter, leading to his arrest and conviction for kidnapping and other crimes.
This case illustrates how purchasing fake documents enables someone to create an entirely new identity and maintain it for an extended period without detection. Gerhartsreiter’s ability to blend into high society under a false identity demonstrates the potential effectiveness of these illegal services.
Bribing a State Employee for a New Identity
A more secure but riskier method involves bribing state or provincial employees. Employees in departments like the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or IT departments can access government databases and create legitimate IDs under false names. These IDs are more challenging to detect as fake because they are officially registered in government systems.
Case Study: The Case of Ramon Abbas (Hushpuppi)
Ramon Abbas, known as Hushpuppi, was a Nigerian fraudster who lived a luxurious life funded by elaborate scams. Abbas defrauded people and organizations worldwide. He evaded capture for years by obtaining official IDs through corrupt state officials. These officials, particularly those in the DMV and passport offices, helped him acquire genuine identification documents. These documents allowed him to travel internationally and maintain a high-profile lifestyle. His arrest in Dubai and extradition to the United States marked the end of his criminal activities. In 2021, he received an 11-year prison sentence.
This case underscores how bribing state employees to obtain legitimate documents makes a fugitive’s new identity more credible. It allows them to avoid detection for longer. However, the risks involved in bribing government officials are high. A single mistake can lead to exposure and arrest.
Selecting the Right Identity
Selecting the right persona is crucial when acquiring a new identity. The chosen identity should closely match the fugitive’s physical appearance, including age, race, height, and build. The new identity should ideally belong to someone less likely to notice or report the theft of their identity, such as a homeless person or someone who has passed away.
Case Study: The Story of Bobby Love
Bobby Love, born Walter Miller, escaped a North Carolina prison in 1977. He lived under the radar for nearly four decades. Love assumed the identity of Bobby Love, obtained a Social Security number and lived a quiet life in New York. He married and raised a family. Love carefully selected his new identity to avoid suspicion. His deception was uncovered only in 2015 when his wife revealed his true identity to law enforcement. Love’s case exemplifies how a fugitive can live under a new identity for decades before being caught.
Love’s case demonstrates the importance of choosing an identity that can be sustained over the long term. By blending into society and building a new life, a fugitive can significantly reduce the risk of detection.
Living Under the Radar
After assuming a new identity, a fugitive must meticulously cover their tracks to avoid detection. This process includes avoiding previous habits and severing all ties with their past life. Fugitives must be careful not to engage in activities that could lead to their discovery, such as using their old vehicle, frequenting familiar locations, or contacting friends and family.
Case Study: The “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski
Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber, evaded capture for nearly two decades while living under a self-created identity. Kaczynski lived in a remote cabin in Montana, isolated from society, with no electricity or running water. He used a fake name when interacting with the few people he encountered. Kaczynski ensured that he left no traces of his real identity. Kaczynski’s careful avoidance of technology and society played a significant role in his ability to remain undetected for so long. He was finally captured in 1996 after his brother published and recognized his manifesto.
Kaczynski’s case highlights the lengths to which a fugitive might go to stay off the grid, including living in complete isolation. By cutting himself off from society, Kaczynski avoided leaving a trail that could be followed by law enforcement.
Altering Physical Appearance
Fugitives often make significant changes to their physical appearance to avoid detection. This can include simple alterations like cutting or dyeing their hair, growing a beard, or wearing disguises like hats and sunglasses. In more extreme cases, fugitives may even undergo plastic surgery to alter their facial features.
Case Study: The Story of Jason Derek Brown
Jason Derek Brown, wanted for murder and armed robbery, has been on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list since 2007. Known for his ability to blend in and alter his appearance, Brown is a master of disguise. He has changed his hair colour and beard and used various aliases to avoid capture. Despite numerous sightings and leads, Brown remains at large, mainly due to his ability to change his appearance and identity.
Brown’s case illustrates how effectively altering one’s appearance and using multiple identities can allow a fugitive to evade detection over an extended period. By constantly changing his look, Brown has managed to stay one step ahead of law enforcement.
Turning to Professional Services
Professional services can provide an expedited solution for fugitives seeking a more secure and reliable way to assume a new identity. Companies like Amicus International Consulting specialize in helping individuals navigate the complexities of identity changes. These services offer a safer alternative to the black market or corrupt officials. They can provide legitimate documents and advice on maintaining a low profile under a new identity.
Case Study: The Case of Viktor Bout
Viktor Bout, a notorious arms dealer known as the “Merchant of Death,” used multiple identities and professional networks to evade capture for years. Bout operated under several aliases, using fake passports and other documents obtained through professional channels. His ability to change identities and maintain a low profile allowed him to run one of the world’s most prolific arms trafficking networks. Bout was finally captured in a sting operation in 2008 and later extradited to the United States, where he was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
This case highlights how professional services can facilitate creating and maintaining new identities, enabling individuals to evade law enforcement for extended periods. While more expensive, these services provide a level of security and legitimacy that is difficult to achieve through other means.
The Pursuit of a Second Passport
For many fugitives, obtaining a second passport is critical to evading capture. A second passport allows them to travel internationally under a new identity, making it harder for authorities to track their movements. Acquiring a second passport can be done through illegal means, such as purchasing a counterfeit passport, or through legal means, such as applying for citizenship in another country under a false identity.
Case Study: The Case of Robert Vesco
Robert Vesco was an American financier who fled the United States in 1973 to avoid prosecution for embezzlement. Vesco used his wealth to obtain citizenship and a second passport from Costa Rica, where he lived for several years. He later moved to several other countries, including the Bahamas, Antigua, and Nicaragua, using his second passport to travel freely and avoid extradition. Vesco’s ability to acquire a second passport and citizenship in multiple countries allowed him to evade U.S. authorities for decades until he died in 2007.
This case demonstrates the importance of a second passport for fugitives who must cross international borders without arousing suspicion. A second passport provides a new layer of protection, making it harder for authorities to track and apprehend them.
Understanding the Risks and Consequences
While the methods fugitives use to acquire new identities can be effective, they come with significant risks. Relying on untrustworthy vendors, corrupt officials, or even professional services can lead to exposure and capture. Additionally, living under a false identity requires constant vigilance. Any slip-up, such as a single inconsistency in a story or a forgotten detail, can result in arrest. The psychological toll of living in constant fear of discovery can be significant, leading some fugitives to turn themselves in eventually.
The Psychological Impact
Living as a fugitive under a new identity is not just a logistical challenge; it also takes a severe psychological toll. Constantly living in fear of being discovered can lead to chronic stress, anxiety, and paranoia. Fugitives must remain hyper-vigilant and continually aware of their surroundings and the people they interact with. This level of caution can be exhausting and unsustainable in the long term. In some cases, the stress becomes too much to bear, leading fugitives to either make mistakes or turn themselves in voluntarily.
Conclusion
The methods fugitives use to evade capture are diverse and constantly evolving. Advances in technology and law enforcement techniques drive these methods. Whether through purchasing fake documents, bribing state employees, obtaining a second passport, or turning to professional identity services, the path to a new identity is fraught with risks. However, for those who successfully navigate these dangers, it offers a lifeline—a chance to live free from their past.
Suppose you need a secure and reliable way to start over with a new legal identity or second passport. In that case, Amicus International Consulting can help you navigate the complexities of acquiring a new identity. Contact us for a free consultation today to discuss your options and take the first step toward a new beginning.
