Reality Bytes: A new identity in a crisis

arlier this month, the U.S. State Department issued a public announcement alerting Americans traveling abroad to exercise extreme caution.

The warning, tied to a possible threat from extremists linked to Saudi-born militant Usama Bin Ladin, advises: "Americans should keep a low profile, vary their travel routes and times and be wary of mail and packages from unfamiliar sources."

Sound advice? Maybe. But some say that warnings from the State Department aren't enough. Sometimes, people take matters in their own hands.

The business of selling "fake passports," also known as camouflage passports, is booming. Although it's difficult to get accurate numbers and statistics, all accounts show that more travelers -- mostly Americans -- are signing on for a second identity. And it's all perfectly legal.

Some don't leave home without it

The idea behind camouflage passports, or CPs, is pretty simple. There are places and situations where an American would be safer by pretending to be someone else.

"There are certainly places where it wouldn't be wise to be caught with an American passport," said Ervin Grinsdlye, who would identify himself only as a representative of Riga, Latvia-based USBL, a firm that issues CPs.

"That's the main reason people get camouflage passports," Grinsdyle said. "They are very good documents to have just in case you may ever need one."

Another source, who asked not to be identified, said, "Presenting your camouflage passport can mask your true identity and might well save your life. Terrorists can pose a real threat to your freedom and privacy. Carrying a camouflage passport at all times will make you a tourist in any emergency."

While sources TWcrossroads spoke with acknowledged that there's a very slim chance a traveler would ever need the document, most agreed it was better to be safe than sorry.

How it works

There's no shortage of firms selling CPs. Type the words camouflage passport into any Web search engine and it will turn up dozens of companies -- including EscapeArtist.com, Privacy Bulletin, Carlton Press, Privacy World and NIC Inc. -- offering the service.

The CPs, which cost anywhere from about $250 to $600, look like authentic passports, contain photos and fabricated vital stats, and may even come filled with entry and exit stamps from fictitious travels. Additionally, most companies include at least one other form of supplemental identification -- usually a driver's license -- with the purchase.

The catch? CPs are issued from nations that no longer exist. Zanzibar, the U.S.S.R., British West Indies, Rhodesia, British Honduras, Eastern Samoa, Burma, New Granada and South Vietnam are some of the locales where travelers can claim citizenship. (This all assumes, of course, that terrorists don't stay on top of current political events.)

CP companies will walk customers through the step-by-step process of getting the document and creating a second identity. The Privacy Bulletin Web site offers this advice under the "How to fill in your personal history" heading:

"Your name and personal history can be entirely fictitious. You may have to remember it under very stressful conditions, so it is a good idea for your name and history to be familiar."

The site goes on to offer a few more tips -- such as suggesting a "blend" of your real identity with the fake one. One firm, PT Club, tells clients to "enjoy elaborating your own camouflage story."

So what does the U.S. State Department think of all this?

Basically, a "do what you want but don't do it here" policy applies to camouflage passports.

We cannot limit what a U.S. citizen carries with them," said Christopher Lamora, a spokesman for the bureau of consular affairs for the Department of State.

"Carrying this type of document doesn't have anything to do with U.S. law. It is perfectly legal."

In fact, other countries may knowingly or unknowingly choose to accept a camouflage passport from a U.S. citizen and that's a choice those countries make, he said.

"Unless someone assumes a fake identification or attempts to use a camouflage passport for illegal entry into the U.S., they are not breaking U.S. law."

However, an attempt to use a fraudulent U.S. passport is a federal penalty and is punishable with a hefty fine and possible jail time, Lamora said. Another legal concern is using a CP as ID to open an "anonymous" bank account.

This practice is illegal and was not officially endorsed by any of the firms interviewed for this report. The action constitutes fraud and is punishable under U.S. tax law, Lamora said.

Meanwhile, the State Department sees no reason why a U.S. traveler would ever want or need a CP.

"If you're going to be traveling somewhere overly dangerous and need a camouflage passport, then our official recommendation would be to stay home," Lamora said.

Other uses for CPs

Aside from protection against a terrorist attack, CPs offer the unique opportunity to create a second identity. That's just what many Americans are doing, according to Roger Gallo, founder and president of EscapeArtist magazine and Web site.

"You'd be shocked at the level of disenchantment in the U.S.," Gallo said. "You wouldn't believe how many people are denouncing their U.S. citizenship and looking to start over as a new person in a new place."

Many of his clients are elderly Americans looking for economic relief, Gallo said.

"There are many Americans who have made some money and are looking for a way to avoid undue taxation by the U.S.," Gallo said. "The U.S. is one of the few countries in the world that views tax evasion as a felony. In Italy, it's practically a sport."

Gallo, author of the book "Escape from America," says he runs a background check and due diligence on every person he deals with, and his business is "100% legal and legitimate."

Gallo claims he can get clients legal citizenship in any country in the world. The average price for a second citizenship runs about $3,000, but can cost upwards of $30,000, Gallo said.

Cloak & dagger

Even though selling CPs is legal, the majority of people TWcrossroads spoke with were uneasy about divulging information about their organizations. Most company representatives only will communicate via an off-shore P.O. box, fax or e-mail.

One source agreed to talk, but not on the record for publication.

"I can tell you nothing about the owners of these documents because I don't even know who they are. I don't know their real names; I cannot tell you any significant details about these people. They're not willing to tell me this information," he said.

Another source never let TWCrossroads speak to him, but insisted that all interviews be conducted via e-mail.

After a number of exchanges during several weeks, he wrote that the company had restructured its business and no longer supplied camouflage passports. Subsequent e-mail inquiries have gone unanswered.

Maybe he changed his identity.

For an archive of previously published Reality Bytes articles, click here.