I’m Not Who You Think I Am: Starting a New Identity in New York
In the sprawling urban jungle of New York City, it’s not uncommon for people to reinvent themselves. From simple name changes to entirely new identities, the city provides the perfect backdrop for those looking to escape their past. Whether it’s about leaving behind financial troubles, legal issues, or simply wanting a fresh start, New York offers the anonymity and resources to begin anew.
Why Start Over with a New Identity?
Take Christopher Robin, for example. Despite his success as a millionaire real estate mogul, Robin was plagued by bad credit. To escape this financial pitfall, he took the drastic step of purchasing a new identity from an AIDS patient nearing the end of his life.
Robin (a pseudonym for privacy) is among many New Yorkers who have chosen to shed their pasts and start fresh under new names. “If you are willing to pay for the last years of a man’s life who has a terminal illness, you can just take over his identity,” Robin explains. For a price of $10,000 to $15,000, he could acquire a new name and the associated benefits.
The Mechanics of Acquiring a New Identity
The Purchase of a New Name
Buying a name from someone near death is one way to forge a new identity. This process goes beyond just assuming a new name; it requires a detailed backstory and valid documents to support the change. As Robin elaborates, “Almost anyone can create their witness protection program if they have some money, a new birth certificate, driver’s license, Social Security number, and passport.”
DIY Witness Protection Programs
Creating a personal witness protection program is within reach for those with the means. Fake IDs, forged documents, and connections can allow someone to disappear and start over effectively. This becomes even more feasible in a city as vast and anonymous as New York.
Experts agree that New York is ideal for such reinventions due to its anonymity and size. Former homicide detective Bo Dietl, now head of the city’s largest private investigative firm, notes, “New York is great for people who want to stay anonymous because they can come and go without anyone knowing.”
The Backstory: From Christopher Lynch to Christopher Robin
Early Life and Initial Identity Changes
Christopher Lynch, later known as Christopher Robin, was born in Manhattan in 1952 to wealthy parents. After his parents’ bitter divorce, his mother took custody and changed his surname to her maiden name, Raven. As a teenager, following his father’s death, Lynch reverted to using his father’s surname as a mark of respect.
However, after a costly and acrimonious divorce in his 30s, Lynch sought to escape his financial and emotional baggage by adopting a new identity. With the help of a lawyer, Lynch became Christopher Robin. The lawyer opened bank accounts and credit cards in Robin’s name. After a few months of receiving mail addressed to Robin, Lynch secured a Social Security number and a driver’s license under his new identity.
The Role of the Government in Identity Changes
Official Assistance in Witness Protection
The government has helped criminals start new lives after becoming informants for decades. The exact details of these disappearances are closely guarded, but for everyday people, obtaining a new identity often involves more old-fashioned methods like “paper tripping,” which involves finding the grave of someone born around the same time and assuming their identity.
Legal Documents and the Importance of a Passport
The process typically begins with obtaining a birth certificate, a Social Security number and a driver’s license. A U.S. passport is considered the ultimate new ID. “There is no way to link all of these documents together,” says Dietl. This disjointed system often results in individuals holding multiple Social Security cards and other forms of ID under different names.
Challenges and Modern Fraud Prevention
Lovell Brigham, a spokeswoman for the Social Security Administration, notes that getting a fake Social Security number is not as easy as it once was. Despite the rise of sophisticated security measures, digital technology has made it easier for determined individuals to create convincing fake documents.
The Digital Age and New Identity Creation
Online Services and Global Reach
A quick internet search reveals companies like Global Money Consultants of Greece, which promise to help clients erase their past and start a new “tax-free” life. Elite International Services of Canada goes even further, claiming it can secure diplomatic appointments for its clients. However, these services often fail to deliver lasting solutions, as creating a new identity that lasts is much more complicated than it sounds.
Case Studies: Living with a New Identity
Aubrey Cox
Aubrey Cox, who lived as Curtis Brown for over 40 years, was eventually found in Harlem. 1956, Cox escaped a Virginia chain gang and settled in New York under his new name. Even his wife, whom he married two years after his escape, was unaware of his true identity. The police tracked Cox by following his disability checks, illustrating how modern technology can uncover even long-hidden identities.
Maurice O’Mahoney
In 1974, Maurice O’Mahoney, a bank robber, turned informant and was given a new identity. Despite his new life, O’Mahoney, now Peter Davies, found adapting challenging. He took a job as a security guard but eventually ended up back in the news when he was arrested for robbery. Although he claimed the police had set him up, he was ultimately found not guilty.
The Psychological Toll of a New Identity
Struggles with Isolation and Secrecy
Living with a new identity takes a significant psychological toll. Constant vigilance is required to maintain the facade, leading to feelings of isolation and fear of discovery. Forming deep connections with others becomes nearly impossible as the risk of revealing one’s true past looms large.
Familial Challenges
Family ties can further complicate the maintenance of a new identity. Darren Nicholls, an informant who testified against criminals in Essex, struggled with his new identity because his young son couldn’t understand why they had to change their names and lives. Nicholls’ experience highlights the emotional difficulties of living with a new identity, particularly when it affects loved ones.
The Role of Media and Public Curiosity
Media Exposure
The media plays a significant role in uncovering new identities. Despite legal protections, individuals can be exposed through persistent journalistic efforts. The case of Mary Bell, a notorious child killer, illustrates this point. Despite legal efforts to protect her and her daughter’s identities, the media eventually revealed her new life.
Public Interest
Public curiosity and the allure of financial gain can lead to the exposure of new identities. In Britain, the culture of “snitching” and selling information to tabloids complicates maintaining a new identity. This environment makes it challenging for individuals to remain hidden, as someone is always willing to reveal their secrets for a price.
Practical Steps for Creating and Maintaining a New Identity
Legal Strategies
- Injunctions and Legal Protections: Seek legal protections, such as injunctions, to prevent the publication of your new identity. These legal measures can provide some level of security, although they are not foolproof.
- Regular Legal Advice: Regular consultations with legal experts can help navigate the complexities of maintaining a new identity and adapting to any law changes that might affect your status.
Practical Measures
- Digital Hygiene: Maintain rigorous digital hygiene by minimizing your online presence and using secure, encrypted communication methods. Avoid social media and online platforms that require personal information.
- Consistent Backstory: Develop and consistently maintain a detailed backstory. Ensure all documentation supports this narrative and rehearse it until it becomes second nature.
- Relocation and Integration: Choose locations where you can blend in easily. Big cities often provide anonymity due to their large populations, but small, close-knit communities can also be effective if you integrate seamlessly and avoid drawing attention.
Government Assistance and the Witness Protection Program
Official Support
Governments sometimes assist individuals needing new identities, especially those in witness protection programs. This assistance includes creating new documents, providing financial support, and offering guidance on maintaining the new identity. However, this support comes with challenges, such as restrictions on movement and activities to ensure safety.
The Complexity of Witness Protection
Living under witness protection involves adhering to strict rules and guidelines to ensure safety. Individuals must avoid contact with anyone from their past and follow a carefully constructed backstory. The psychological strain of living a lie and the fear of being discovered can be overwhelming.
The Future of Identity Change
Technological Advances
As technology evolves, the methods for creating and maintaining a new identity will also change. Biometric identification, digital footprints, and advanced surveillance make it increasingly difficult to assume a new identity. Future methods will likely involve more sophisticated techniques and reliance on technology to create convincing new personas.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
The legal and ethical implications of changing one’s identity will continue to be debated. Governments must balance the need for security and justice with the rights of individuals seeking new lives. Legal frameworks must evolve to address these challenges, ensuring individuals can safely and legally start anew when necessary.
Conclusion
Starting over with a new identity in New York, or anywhere else, is a complex process fraught with psychological, practical, and legal challenges. While it offers the allure of a fresh start, the reality is much more demanding. The stories of Christopher Robin, Aubrey Cox, and Maurice O’Mahoney highlight the difficulties and potential pitfalls of maintaining a new identity.
These challenges are even more significant in today’s digital age, requiring meticulous planning, rigorous digital hygiene, and, sometimes, government assistance. As society continues to evolve, so will the strategies and challenges associated with living under a new identity.
Despite the difficulties, the possibility of creating a new life remains a compelling, albeit challenging, prospect for those determined to start anew. If you are considering this journey, seeking professional help is crucial.
If you would like to work with a professional team that can help make your transition to a life of freedom, contact Amicus International for New Identity services today.
