Going on the run - where/how?
Discussion
K50 DEL said:
These indeed are the main issues...
Whilst getting a fake passport is, no doubt doable with cash, unless you are already connected to "the underworld" it's going to be incredibly tough to rock up anywhere legitimate and build a new life.
Even the crappiest flea-pits in the USA for example require ID in order to check in, that's not to say that a $50 "tip" wouldn't limit their eyesight but it's going to be a risk every time you try it.
I reckon the only way to properly disappear is to have a full backstopped second identity that's been created over the previous years, but even that's not anything like as easy as it once was....
Technology giveth and technology taketh away.
Indeed. I've been a bit amused by the 'I'd steal a yacht and go and live in Africa/Eastern Europe' comments. Whilst getting a fake passport is, no doubt doable with cash, unless you are already connected to "the underworld" it's going to be incredibly tough to rock up anywhere legitimate and build a new life.
Even the crappiest flea-pits in the USA for example require ID in order to check in, that's not to say that a $50 "tip" wouldn't limit their eyesight but it's going to be a risk every time you try it.
I reckon the only way to properly disappear is to have a full backstopped second identity that's been created over the previous years, but even that's not anything like as easy as it once was....
Technology giveth and technology taketh away.
Leaving the yacht to one side - frankly ridiculous in these days of GPS tracking etc - people can't really think you get to Africa and start a new life with just assets you've managed to grab quickly before going on the lam?
Many African cities are very expensive. Move to a smaller area and even these days you stand out like a sore thumb and could be open to being a victim. Stick with larger towns with some ex-pat types and "hey isn't he that guy off the telly?!?" Many ex-pats are glued to BBC website - a good chance you'll be recognised somewhere by someone at some point. Again technology not working in your favour.
Helps if you are average build and height - ideally already with a beard and a good head of hair. Get those shaved off and you might be okay for a while. However if you're 6' 2" with a blad head - not so easy!
In previous years in the U.K. I'd have looked at a home invasion to get me off the streets for a few days. Follow an old dear home from supermarket - knock on door establish a few things and in you go. Good place to lie low for a few days. Not anymore because Doris' kids get worried now if she's not texting them every day - whereas before a day or two's silence from their old mum wouldn't have been a worry.
It's no wonder a lot of criminals return home and get picked up fairly quickly - it's just so hard these days. That's without factoring in stupidity like old Canoe Man getting his photo onto an estate agent's website!
Seems this acid throwing idiot didn't stand a chance then - found very easily by Police, I imagine at a known associates. In his underpants for goodness sake - how did he expect to get very far like that? No planned route out of house - used a tiny bathroom window 4/5 metres up.
I'm betting he couldn't bring himself to ditch his phone but instead turned it off. Moron.
Edited by jdw100 on Tuesday 25th April 06:23
jdw100 said:
Leaving the yacht to one side - frankly ridiculous in these days of GPS tracking etc
None of our yachts have, or have had any GPS trackers that are monitored from the shore, and most of the yachties I know don't have anything similar installed eitherAll the GPS devices on board are aimed at knowing where on the planet you are, not where the boat is
Certainly, if the boat has a tracker installed, that's a different kettle of fish
From my point of view, a well stocked yacht would give me more options of where to head for than a rib which has a range of only a few hours
You'd need to get to SE Asia. It's now the place of choice. Getting there wouldn't be that hard.
For a start passports. You'd need to borrow/steal one. Using a stolen passport when leaving the UK is a drama - they will know. Abroad/outside of EU not a problem. Passports with loads of years left are worth £££ abroad for this reasons. I'd get a flight using a stolen passport into Bangkok from a none UK country. Getting out of the UK isn't that hard. You can get a boat over to france easily enough.
Asia is cheap enough to bribe local officials into turning a blind eye (no pun intended). You'd then need some help or some cunning to keep a passport. Either get a job where you can rob passports (not so easy as if caught you need to pay someone off), or you pay the locals to do it for you.
You will need some income. People sending money from home is great. I'm not going to go into how but it's EASILY done with no come back. Realistically you'll want to start a little business abroad. So that will involve paying off local officials again. Or you can work in a low paid role which none locals do. Diving instructor etc...
The worst part would be not being able to see your family again/easily. And not really ever being able to trust anyone. Getting away with it would be easy if you were willing to live a lie and have no one close to you.
For a start passports. You'd need to borrow/steal one. Using a stolen passport when leaving the UK is a drama - they will know. Abroad/outside of EU not a problem. Passports with loads of years left are worth £££ abroad for this reasons. I'd get a flight using a stolen passport into Bangkok from a none UK country. Getting out of the UK isn't that hard. You can get a boat over to france easily enough.
Asia is cheap enough to bribe local officials into turning a blind eye (no pun intended). You'd then need some help or some cunning to keep a passport. Either get a job where you can rob passports (not so easy as if caught you need to pay someone off), or you pay the locals to do it for you.
You will need some income. People sending money from home is great. I'm not going to go into how but it's EASILY done with no come back. Realistically you'll want to start a little business abroad. So that will involve paying off local officials again. Or you can work in a low paid role which none locals do. Diving instructor etc...
The worst part would be not being able to see your family again/easily. And not really ever being able to trust anyone. Getting away with it would be easy if you were willing to live a lie and have no one close to you.
hoegaardenruls said:
Richard John Bingham did a pretty decent job of it..
Unless you favour the splendidly ridiculous conspiracy theory that the hit man he hired to kill his wife then turned on him. It's suggested that lucky Lucan ended up dumped off Newhaven and the hit man went on to be a prominent American politician.jdw100 said:
Indeed. I've been a bit amused by the 'I'd steal a yacht and go and live in Africa/Eastern Europe' comments.
Leaving the yacht to one side - frankly ridiculous in these days of GPS tracking etc - people can't really think you get to Africa and start a new life with just assets you've managed to grab quickly before going on the lam?
Boats don't tend to be tracked from shore - often you'll have something like a AIS transponder however usually this can be turned off quickly and easily.Leaving the yacht to one side - frankly ridiculous in these days of GPS tracking etc - people can't really think you get to Africa and start a new life with just assets you've managed to grab quickly before going on the lam?
I'd head to Africa as I have contacts there that I could leverage to start again.
It's said that a fair few people walked away from their lives and started again after 9/11 in the US.
Dr Jekyll said:
hoegaardenruls said:
Richard John Bingham did a pretty decent job of it..
Unless you favour the splendidly ridiculous conspiracy theory that the hit man he hired to kill his wife then turned on him. It's suggested that lucky Lucan ended up dumped off Newhaven and the hit man went on to be a prominent American politician.Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff