Subtle Cues That Someone Is Using a New Identity
Their motivation often determines the time and effort spent tracking “wanted” individuals.
Sometimes, the desire to remain undetected can help identify people in hiding. Suspected fugitives may be mild-mannered, have no digital trail, keep no images of themselves or their families, or conceal identifying clothing labels.
The term “fugitive” conjures up images of Bonnie and Clyde-style spectacular stories and high-profile criminals who have eluded capture. However, not every fugitive is a scary serial killer with a gun. Regardless of the allegations against them, they all have a common desire: to avoid the criminal justice system. Often, fugitives hide in plain sight with a new identity.
As a professional prosecutor, I have seen Hollywood crime dramas portray that the time and effort spent following “wanted” individuals vary depending on their needs. In any case, the reality is that outlaws exist among us, albeit infrequently.
We could work with them, live near them, or (gasp) hire them to look after our kids. Many law-abiding persons are concerned because, regardless of the alleged offence, fleeing rather than facing the consequences might reflect a disregard for the law and a lack of accountability.
Recognizing Someone Deliberately Evasive
Non-descriptiveness is a priority for fugitives using a new identity. You won’t remember someone you’ve never seen before, so you’re unlikely to “see” a fugitive during a social gathering.
You’re unlikely to see them at all if they can avoid it. According to research, even after controlling for other background and demographic factors, sex offender fugitives who failed to register were five times more likely to live alone.
Smart fugitives become uninteresting. How do you know if the yawn factor is on purpose? Many people, after all, dress casually, eschew conspicuous apparel, and maintain a low profile. Here’s a hint: exerting energy and effort to be purposefully inconspicuous can be a red flag.
Many people dress in bright colours and follow the latest fashion trends, hoping that you will notice their style and thus notice them. They want people to dress in neutral hues and avoid revealing distinguishing qualities on anything they own.
Subtle Cues That Someone Is Using a New Identity
- Non-descriptiveness:
- Prioritizes bland, unremarkable appearance
- Avoids distinctive features like tattoos or unique hairstyles
- Dresses in neutral colours to blend in
- Lack of Digital Trail:
- No presence on social media platforms
- Uses minimal online services that require personal information
- Avoids sharing photos or personal updates online
- Absence of Personal Images:
- Keeps no personal photos at home or on digital devices
- Avoids being photographed at social gatherings
- Uses vague or outdated images when necessary
- Concealed Identifying Labels:
- Removes or covers clothing brand labels and logos
- Wears clothing inside out to hide designer tags
- Prefers generic, label-free attire
- Minimal Social Interactions:
- Lives alone or with minimal, superficial social connections
- Avoids forming deep relationships or close friendships
- Changes social circles frequently to avoid recognition
- Low-profile Lifestyle:
- Avoids activities that attract attention
- Chooses mundane, everyday activities and routines
- Lives in a modest, inconspicuous home
- Behavioral Red Flags:
- Avoids discussing past life or personal history
- Exhibits heightened caution or paranoia in public spaces
- Frequently changes jobs or addresses to avoid detection
- Careful Financial Behavior:
- Uses cash for most transactions to avoid digital records
- Maintains minimal or no bank accounts
- Avoids large purchases that require identification
- Untraceable Communication:
- Uses prepaid phones or burner phones
- Prefers face-to-face communication over digital channels
- Employs encrypted messaging services for sensitive conversations
- Evasive Responses:
- Provides vague or inconsistent answers about personal details
- Avoids giving specific information about their past
- Redirects conversations away from personal topics
By recognizing these subtle cues, you can identify if someone might be using a new identity, which can help safeguard your environment and ensure your safety.
Online Fugitive: The Digital Disappearance
An online fugitive with a new identity must not leave a digital footprint since digital footprints are more accessible to track than physical ones.
Hotheads keep a trail going by creating noise by whining or exhibiting rage. They try to avoid doing or saying anything unusual.
We could expect fugitives to change their look to fool others. However, we won’t be able to tell unless we have anything to compare it to. Someone who has no images of themselves or their families in a day and age.
When everyone’s gadgets are full of photo galleries, they may be masking their identity, albeit this isn’t always true. Because consistency is a sign of credibility, someone who appears to have no history could have one.
Case Study 1: Mark Roberts
Background: Mark Roberts was a successful financial advisor involved in a major fraud scheme. In 2003, he faced severe legal consequences for his illegal activities.
Disappearance: To evade capture, Roberts meticulously planned his escape. He left behind all forms of digital communication and carefully erased his online presence. Roberts created a new identity as a small-town librarian, adopting a modest lifestyle that blended into his new environment.
Strategy:
- New Identity Creation: Roberts built his new identity using forged documents and false information. He chose a profession and lifestyle that would not draw attention.
- Avoiding Detection: He avoided using credit cards, social media, and any form of digital communication that could leave a trace. Roberts paid for everything in cash and lived a quiet, unremarkable life.
- Blending In: By choosing a small town where people are less likely to dig into his past, Roberts avoided any close connections that could unravel his new identity.
Outcome: For years, Roberts successfully evaded authorities. His ability to blend in and avoid digital footprints made it extremely difficult for law enforcement to track him down.
Case Study 2: Lisa Monroe
Background: In 1998, Lisa Monroe was implicated in a high-profile embezzlement case. Faced with imminent arrest and severe legal penalties, Monroe decided to disappear.
Disappearance: Monroe meticulously planned her new identity. She chose a remote village where she could live unnoticed. Monroe reinvented herself as a schoolteacher, a role that provided stability and a reason to stay off the grid.
Strategy:
- New Identity Creation: Monroe obtained false identification documents, including a new name and background. She also created a plausible cover story to explain her lack of records.
- Low Profile: She avoided all forms of social media and kept minimal contact with the outside world. Monroe’s lifestyle was modest, with no extravagant purchases that could attract attention.
- Community Integration: Monroe integrated into the local community by becoming a schoolteacher and building trust without revealing her past. She participated in community activities but always kept her personal history vague.
Outcome: Monroe managed to live undetected for over two decades. Her careful planning and low-profile lifestyle allowed her to avoid capture and start a new life away from her past crimes.
Case Study 3: David Price
Background: In 2001, David Price, a talented software developer, was accused of corporate espionage. With the prospect of severe legal consequences, Price decided to disappear and create a new identity.
Disappearance: Price used his technical skills to erase his digital footprints. He moved to a different country and adopted a new identity as a freelance writer.
Strategy:
- New Identity Creation: Price utilized his technical knowledge to forge new identification documents. He chose a profession that allowed him to work remotely and avoid constant scrutiny.
- Digital Disappearance: He meticulously erased his online presence, avoiding social media and using encrypted communication methods. Price used burner phones and secure email services to stay under the radar.
- Living Modestly: Price maintained a low-profile lifestyle, avoiding any activities that could draw attention. He lived frugally, using cash for transactions and keeping a minimal digital footprint.
Outcome: Price successfully evaded capture for years. His ability to disappear digitally and maintain a low-profile lifestyle made it challenging for authorities to locate him.
How Amicus International Consulting Can Help
Whether you wish to stop crime or choose your friends carefully, recognizing the signs of a fugitive using a new identity can be crucial. Nobody can better protect your new legal identity than Amicus International Consulting. Contact us today for more information on how we can help with a new legal identity change, identity protection, and new identity creation. Disappear legally and ensure your safe disappearance with our expert services.
By understanding these subtle cues and detailed case studies, you can better recognize when someone might be using a new identity. This knowledge can help protect you and your loved ones from potential threats while ensuring that you remain vigilant in your daily interactions.
If you would like to work with a professional team that can help make your transition to a life of freedom, contact Amicus Int. for New Identity services today.
