It’s tricky and of course context dependent. It’d be much easier if there was no apparent motive (massive debt, impending arrest, history of fraud etc). I’ve often thought a holiday to a developing country with porous borders would be your best bet. If you are in a western nation it’s quite difficult to disappear within your own borders, and it is hard to survive without an identity. Even then, most western nations will send someone/s to investigate your disappearance or pursue the matter via Interpol etc. Add to this your appearance is likely to raise attention if you are obviously not a local (in my case I am a white AF guy with tattoos who would not melt into the background in India). Further, no matter the money you have you ultimately want some type of identity and passport in case your current situation gets hot. In my scenario I would travel to country A using my legitimate credentials, then disappear (drowning is a good one, cheers Harold). I’d then leg it to the neighbouring country (country B) where I’d attempt to get a new identity using forgeries I’d already organised from another country different to my home. Once I can establish my identity in country B (residency over months/years etc) I’d then move to my final destination and keep my head down.
There’s plenty of stories of those who try to restart and get caught (Nick Rossi, John Darwin). Common thread is they don’t completely break from their previous life, or they move somewhere too obvious. Another key point is having to deal with some real sketchy people to make all of this happen properly. You’d essentially need to be smuggled across borders and acquire forged documents.
People dying in foreign countries seem to always pop up in the news. You end up with a bigger investigation imo. I think the best is kayaking accident at home. Drowning is a great choice since it makes sense a body isnt recovered.
That being said, faking your own death is almost always the bad move. You end up having to live like a dog and probably end up getting caught eventually, might as well just do the time (I always assume it’s about dodging prison)
Yes, SE Asia would be best spot, at least assuming escapee is of white European descent. But you are correct that you’d be almost trapped there. I’d give Nepalese life a go though.
Do you think new life in same country is easier? For me (Australia ) I just can’t see how a new identity could happen with all the registrations we have - assuming you want to be able to work, drive a car etc in your new life. Maybe in more populous country or somewhere less regulated.
It’s tricky and of course context dependent. It’d be much easier if there was no apparent motive (massive debt, impending arrest, history of fraud etc). I’ve often thought a holiday to a developing country with porous borders would be your best bet. If you are in a western nation it’s quite difficult to disappear within your own borders, and it is hard to survive without an identity. Even then, most western nations will send someone/s to investigate your disappearance or pursue the matter via Interpol etc. Add to this your appearance is likely to raise attention if you are obviously not a local (in my case I am a white AF guy with tattoos who would not melt into the background in India). Further, no matter the money you have you ultimately want some type of identity and passport in case your current situation gets hot. In my scenario I would travel to country A using my legitimate credentials, then disappear (drowning is a good one, cheers Harold). I’d then leg it to the neighbouring country (country B) where I’d attempt to get a new identity using forgeries I’d already organised from another country different to my home. Once I can establish my identity in country B (residency over months/years etc) I’d then move to my final destination and keep my head down.
There’s plenty of stories of those who try to restart and get caught (Nick Rossi, John Darwin). Common thread is they don’t completely break from their previous life, or they move somewhere too obvious. Another key point is having to deal with some real sketchy people to make all of this happen properly. You’d essentially need to be smuggled across borders and acquire forged documents.
I’d be keen to hear others back-of-napkin plans.
Now this is the kind of comment I was waiting for. Thanks a lot.
People dying in foreign countries seem to always pop up in the news. You end up with a bigger investigation imo. I think the best is kayaking accident at home. Drowning is a great choice since it makes sense a body isnt recovered.
That being said, faking your own death is almost always the bad move. You end up having to live like a dog and probably end up getting caught eventually, might as well just do the time (I always assume it’s about dodging prison)
Nah. You’d end up stuck in south east Asia in perpetuity. Great for holidays, not so much long term.
You have an infinitely better chance of getting a new identity in your home country than you do elsewhere.
Yes, SE Asia would be best spot, at least assuming escapee is of white European descent. But you are correct that you’d be almost trapped there. I’d give Nepalese life a go though.
Do you think new life in same country is easier? For me (Australia ) I just can’t see how a new identity could happen with all the registrations we have - assuming you want to be able to work, drive a car etc in your new life. Maybe in more populous country or somewhere less regulated.
Australia here too.
Just use someone else’s identity. They don’t even have to be dead.
Not entirely problem free, but easy.