Identity crime
Some organised criminals will make use of many identities to support their criminal activities.
They use false identities to travel undetected, to protect their assets from confiscation and to facilitate criminal activity where proof of identity is required, such as in fraud, financial crimes, people smuggling or illegal working.
Organised criminals also use other forms of misrepresentation. For example documents which give false information on company or vehicle identity, consignments, business accounts and transactions.
Creating a false identity
To create a false identity, criminals in the UK and abroad will:
- modify some aspect of an existing identity (their own, or someone else’s);
- create a wholly fictitious identity; or
- ‘steal’ someone else’s identity.
A false identity can be established by means of various documents, or electronically, exploiting the increasing use of online services. Criminals are increasingly stealing identity data online, for example persuading individuals to disclose personal details and passwords through ‘phishing’ emails, and then trading the data.
How false documents are produced
Documents commonly used to support identity, such as utility bills and bank statements, are easy to produce on home computers. Other documents, notably UK passports, are less easily reproduced and therefore have a value that makes them attractive to criminals as saleable commodities.
Criminals tend to obtain more sophisticated false documents from specialist providers, or fraudulently obtain genuine documents, either by misrepresentation or theft. Some providers of false documentation offer travel and identity ‘packages’, which include a passport as well as supporting documents, such as a driving licence, national insurance card or utility bills. This supporting documentation can enable the holder to work illegally or to claim benefits and services fraudulently.
The provision of false identity documents is a lucrative, global business Most of the ‘document factories’ detected in the UK are located in small premises, such as private houses. However, these are capable of turning out large quantities of false documents to support fraud, financial and other crime.
Protecting your identity
The increased availability and ease of access to personal information and business records online makes information and identity theft easier for criminals. Theft can be from both the public and private sectors.
Wherever you work, and wherever you are, it’s important to protect your identity details to prevent becoming a victim of identity theft.