Vancouver, BC — In an increasingly digitized and security-focused world, the threat of fake passports and stolen identities remains persistent and deeply troubling. From the criminal underworld to sanctioned government operations, the misuse of identity has reached an alarming scale.
Amicus International Consulting, a recognized authority in legal identity change and second citizenship services, calls for urgent global reforms in identity verification systems and ethical frameworks.
Recent high-profile cases reveal how identity fraud continues to exploit gaps in official systems, raising concerns about national security, personal privacy, and public trust.
Whether it involves fugitives, security-cleared officials, or undercover law enforcement agents, manipulating identity documents points to a widespread, multi-faceted crisis.
CASE STUDY 1: 30 Years on the Run – The Story of Steven Craig Johnson
In one of the most compelling recent examples, Steven Craig Johnson escaped from Mill Creek Correctional Facility in Oregon in 1994. Convicted of sexual offences, Johnson disappeared after fleeing from a prison work crew. For three decades, he lived under the alias “William Cox,” a name taken from a Texas-born child who died in 1962.
Using the deceased child’s birth certificate and Social Security number, Johnson created an entirely new life in Macon, Georgia.
Authorities believe he acquired the documents in 1995 and obtained valid driver’s licenses from Texas and Georgia by 1998. Known to neighbours as “Bud,” Johnson collected a pension and lived discreetly for over 20 years.
In 2015, the Oregon Department of Corrections sought the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Service. In cooperation with the Diplomatic Security Service, investigators used advanced surveillance and identity-verification technologies to locate and apprehend Johnson. His arrest demonstrates both the danger of unchecked identity fraud and the critical role of cross-agency collaboration in resolving long-standing cases.
CASE STUDY 2: GAO Sting Exposes Systemic Flaws
An undercover investigation by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) exposed glaring vulnerabilities in the passport issuance process. GAO agents applied for seven U.S. e-passports using fictitious identities in a controlled sting—five were approved.
The applications included counterfeit driver’s licenses, recently issued Social Security numbers, and in one case, the name of a deceased individual.
Despite these obvious red flags, the State Department failed to detect the fraud, echoing similar findings from a 2008 GAO report that prompted promises of reform.
GAO investigator Gregory Kutz testified before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Terrorism and Homeland Security, urging lawmakers to close the loopholes in identity verification.
Senator Benjamin Cardin (D-Md.) responded by introducing new legislation to reinforce the integrity of U.S. passport issuance. Yet, the need for technological upgrades and training remains critical.
CASE STUDY 3: Espionage Suspicions in Hawaii
In Hawaii, Walter Glenn Primrose and Gwynn Darle Morrison lived for decades under the identities of deceased infants, “Bobby Fort” and “Julie Montague.” Their deception was so convincing that Primrose, using his assumed identity, obtained secret-level clearance while working for the U.S. Coast Guard.
Authorities eventually uncovered photographs of the couple dressed in KGB uniforms, raising fears of espionage. While their primary motive was to escape financial debt, their ability to infiltrate government agencies revealed a shocking failure in vetting processes.
The couple’s eventual arrest and conviction brought renewed calls for enhanced background checks, inter-agency information sharing, and routine re-verification of security clearances.
CASE STUDY 4: The Metropolitan Police and the “Jackal Run”
Across the Atlantic, a scandal erupted when it was revealed that the UK’s Metropolitan Police had, for over three decades, used the identities of dead children for undercover operations.
Known internally as the “jackal run,” this practice involved issuing fake passports and identification documents to officers who infiltrated activist groups.
The ethical and emotional implications were severe. One officer, under the alias “Pete Black,” recalled celebrating the birthdays of the deceased child he impersonated.
Another, John Dines, assumed the identity of John Barker, an eight-year-old who died of leukemia in 1968. Dines went as far as forming a romantic relationship with an activist, who discovered the truth only after he vanished.
Outrage followed as parents of the deceased learned that their children’s identities had been exploited without consent. Keith Vaz, chairman of the UK Parliament’s Home Affairs Select Committee, labelled the revelations “gruesome” and demanded complete transparency and legislative reform.
A Persistent Global Problem
From isolated criminal acts to state-sanctioned operations, the common thread is the systemic failure to protect personal identity data. These failures have allowed individuals to exploit the system, risking national security, civil liberties, and public trust.
The Amicus International Consulting Solution
Amicus International Consulting advocates for legal, ethical alternatives to identity change. Specializing in lawful name changes, second passports, and new legal identities, Amicus provides legitimate pathways for those seeking privacy, protection, or a fresh start.
Clients include victims of abuse, political dissidents, and individuals under threat who require secure relocation and new documentation.
The company employs rigorous compliance measures to ensure that every identity change conforms to international laws.
Its legal and technical teams work in tandem to verify background information, ensure ethical practices, and protect against misuse.
“Identity is more than a document—it’s a cornerstone of human dignity and legal existence,” said a spokesperson for Amicus International.
“Our mission is to safeguard that identity while offering a second chance to those who truly need it.”
Recommendations for Global Reform
Amicus calls for the following measures to address the fake passport crisis:
- Biometric Integration: Mandate biometric identifiers (facial recognition, iris scans, fingerprints) in all passport systems.
- Global Database Access: Establish international access to birth and death registries for cross-checking passport applications.
- Periodic Re-Verification: Implement routine checks for high-security clearance holders to ensure the continued validity of credentials.
- Legislative Oversight: Create independent watchdogs to review and regulate undercover identity usage.
- Public Transparency: Disclose, with appropriate sensitivity, cases of identity misuse involving deceased individuals.
Conclusion: Ethical Vigilance in a Digital Age
The growing crisis of fake passports and identity theft calls for a proactive and ethical response. As recent cases have shown, the misuse of identity can undermine governments, harm innocent families, and erode societal trust.
Through its pioneering services, Amicus International Consulting provides secure and lawful alternatives for those seeking new beginnings.
As the world navigates the dangers of identity fraud, Amicus remains a beacon of integrity, offering protection and accountability in pursuing personal freedom.
For more information on Amicus International’s services, including second citizenship and legal identity change, visit www.amicusint.ca.
Amicus International Consulting
Email: info@amicusint.ca
Website: www.amicusint.ca