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16

Cases analysed

Genuine(ly) unreliable passports


How to obtain a second identity
by Douwe Brongers
Obtaining a genuine passport is not nearly as difficult as you might think. Not even if you want the passport to be registered under a false name. Although some passports are clearly forged and of average quality a growing number of ID documents are genuine, and sold via the back door. The editorial team explored the lie of the land. Who uses forged IDs?
The belief that forged ID documents are only used by criminals is unfounded. The ordinary man in the street is just as keen to obtain and use forged documents. Think, for example, of illegal workers and moonlighters, many of whom prefer to withhold some of their activities from the authorities. In addition to ID documents, there are several other forged documents on offer. These documents, which, for completeness sake, are sold illegally, entitle the holder to certain rights and services, such as medical care, social benefit payments, etc.. It is estimated that the use of fake or forged ID documents is widespread, and that the resultant annual fraud runs into the millions. In the US alone, the number of illegal workers is estimated at 9 million. All these people need to obtain an ID document one way or another. According to one source: turnover in the fake ID-trade (in the US) amounts to at least USD 1 billion a year. The trade involves as many as 10 million bogus passports, social security cards, birth certificates and drivers licenses on an annual basis. Although the number of criminals and terrorists carrying forged ID documents is in all likelihood limited, these people nevertheless present a serious threat. The same applies to frontier running, which is increasingly widespread, and involves a huge number of fake or forged documents. Indeed, the use of fake ID documents and the social and security risks it gives rise to is so widespread that the authorities have every reason to be concerned. Not only in their capacity as issuer of ID documents, but also in their capacity as inspector (border control) and law enforcer (police force). Assuming, of course, that those same authorities refrain from employing people who are open to bribes, or are otherwise involved in criminal activities. A quick search of the Internet made it clear that a genuine passport can be acquired with relative ease.
Keesings Journal of Documents, issue 2, 2003

Searching the internet


For several days, we roamed the Internet in search of a fake passport. Our main objective was to establish the quality and possible shortcomings of such passports. In other words, we wanted to see if we could learn anything from the mistakes of our adversaries. Although we came across many interesting sites, we were unable to find a fake passport as such. We did come across a diversity of white, grey and ghost documents. Our investigation was conducted on the basis of search strings such as security second passport (179,000 hits), fake passports (62,700 hits), fake ID (203,000 hits), secret identity (203,000 hits) and anonymous second passport (9,790 hits). As it turned out, the last search string provided us with the best information. On closer examination of the many hits we obtained for fake passports and fake ID, we were surprised by the sheer number of references to newspaper articles detailing the arrest of someone suspected of using such documents. One interesting site that we came across was www.finor.com/en/citizenship2.htm. Finor, or the offshore professionals as they like call themselves, offer both instant citizenship and a second passport program. As it turned out, Finor stretches the definition of the word instant by quite a margin. Although the site initially offers an above board program, one can easily obtain passports issued by countries like Belize, St Kitts & Nevis, Grenada and Tonga. Moreover, Finor maintains ties with parties that are aware of and use roundabout ways to obtain legally-issued passports. The price of a passport is approximately USD 50,000, excluding the cost of a trip to the issuing country to collect it (which need not be done in person). Naturalisation is also on the menu, with the requisite assistance costing a mere USD 7,500. Finors grey program consists of documents that have been acquired purely by means of bribery. (The site prefers to use the term obtained through unconventional sources). To give an example, Finor will find you a female citizen who is willing admittedly not free of charge to declare that you are her son or daughter. It is even possible to have your application for naturalisation tampered with, enabling you to obtain your ID document more quickly. Finor makes it clear that it is unwilling to assist in the procurement of fake ID documents, and is happy to list the problems that these documents can give rise to. Indeed, the site clearly warns against the use of such documents, and reminds visitors of the disciplinary action awaiting

Douwe Brongers (1945) spent nearly 40 years with Postbank and ING in the Netherlands (he last held the position of Fraud Prevention Advisor). Douwe became involved in document fraud prevention in the early seventies, following the emergence of several international cheque frauds. Since then, he has advised senior management on the development of new payment products. Douwe has invented several practical security features, two of which are patented.

Cases analysed

17

Fake of forged documents


Even though this article primarily focuses on Internet-based suppliers, investigations have shown that the ordinary man in the street prefers to source his forged or fake document from an obscure address. With a high-quality photocopier and a little craftsmanship, experts are able to forge or fake many types of documents. As not every police officer is familiar with the plethora of ID documents in circulation, forged or counterfeit documents can, in some countries, be used to live and escape unnoticed. These types of forged documents cost only a few hundred dollars or euros. Things become even more worrisome if a forged (or fake) document is used to apply for a genuine document. For example, a fake social security card can be used to apply for a genuine passport. According to the authorities, this type of second generation false ID is a growing cause for concern.

anyone caught using them. Besides, as Finor points out, the ease with which genuine passports can be obtained has undermined the market for fake or forged documents. Finor additionally offers ghost passports identity documents that are issued in the name of recently deceased persons. In respect of certain countries, Finor offers an intermediary service that allows you to obtain a ghost passport containing your photograph. In other words, the document is completely genuine. We also visited the site of the Espionage Store (www.espionage-store.com/fakepassports.html). The site starts by setting out how useful a second passport can be. According to the Espionage Store, such passports can, for example, be used to gain the upper hand in hijack situations, to avoid the possible misuse of your real passport by hotel staff, and to shield your identity (particularly useful if you are wealthy). After completing a simple form, agreeing conditions of sale indemnifying the selling party against legal liability, and paying a USD 400 fee, you will receive a British Honduras passport issued in a name of your choice. We next visited the site of Expat World (www.expatworld.org/products.htm), which offers a special Afro Project. Prices are highly un-African, and range from USD 4,500 to more than USD 80,000. Expat World nevertheless asserts that it offers the cheapest camouflage passports, which can be sourced from fourteen different countries. Expat World additionally sells press cards, anonymous savings products, secret postal addresses and university degrees. A bachelors degree costs USD 250 while a doctorate will set you back USD 600. How to graduate from Trinity University with honour(s) is not altogether clear. The proprietors of EscapeArtist appear to have a sense of humour (www.escapeartist.com/efam2/ Alternative_Citizenships.htm). The site starts by reminding visitors that obtaining a passport is

tantamount to obtaining citizenship. However, as EscapeArtist explains, there are passports pastures that were deliberately left unexplored or undiscussed because they are not front door programs. It goes on to accuse several governments of being perfectly willing to grant instant discretionary citizenships to Olympic athletes or high-level defectors or whomever it deems worthy of the privilege. Like other outfits, EscapeArtist offers ID documents from countries like Grenada, Dominica and St Kitts & Nevis. Prices vary between USD 54,000 and USD 75,000. One thing that caught our eye was a warning, advising potential buyers that a regime change could result in existing privileges being revoked. The site concludes by stating that there are a host of alternative citizenships available that may be more affordable and more useful than front door programs and for persons whose credentials are not impeccable or whose pockets are not full, these programs can mean the difference between slavery and freedom. Our search subsequently took us to the site of PTClub (http://ptclub.com/identity.html). This organisation, which trades in second identities, introduced us to a term that we had not previously come across: the bullshit ID. As the site explains: if you are obviously a foreigner and carry an official-looking card with a photo on it, you can bullshit your way out of 99% of potential difficult situations. The company specialises in press cards, which not only allow you to (sort of) proof your identity, but also entitle you to a number of fringe benefits, including free food and drinks at sports events. Unfortunately the press card can only be issued if you become a member of the Association of Journalists, which can be arranged for an annual fee of USD 500. While surfing, we also came across one site (www.flyvision.org/ids/ariza/fakeid.html) that was kind enough to offer some remarkable advice: Be very careful when purchasing fake identity documents. Dont believe all the advertising hype. Most of the fake ID out there is of very poor quality. This stuff is so bad that some of the fake drivers licences Ive seen look like they were created by children and so have no real value whatever.

Conclusion
As our brief investigation has shown, it is not particularly difficult for terrorists, criminals and tax evaders to obtain an identity of their choice, supported by genuine ID documents. After all, money is no object to these people. There is nothing you can do to detect genuine passports that have been sold by an official via the backdoor. It does, however, demonstrate that those who inspect such passports should be extra vigilant, even when inspecting passports from reputable countries.
Keesings Journal of Documents, issue 2, 2003

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