Buzz
Identity theft tales are everywhere – perhaps your sibling’s credit card details were exploited to spend $7000 on software abroad, or your closest friend discovered her taxes had already been filed by an imposter. Maybe you’ve even been a victim, with your private information misused criminally without consent. Identity theft isn’t a new issue, and like any crime, some cases leave you baffled, wondering, 'Why attempt this? How did they expect to succeed?' And sometimes, just, 'What on earth?'
10. The Cheerleader
A 33-year-old woman assumed her daughter’s identity to enroll in high school and join the cheerleading team, as stated in a criminal complaint. Wendy Brown, from Green Bay, was charged with felony identity theft after registering at Ashwaubenon High School as her 15-year-old daughter, who resides in Nevada with Brown’s mother. The complaint reveals that Brown aimed to earn her high school diploma and become a cheerleader, seeking to reclaim a lost part of her youth. She reportedly attended cheerleading practices, was assigned a cheerleader’s locker, and even joined a pool party at the coach’s home. [Source]
9. Todd Davis
As the head of Lifelock, an identity theft protection firm, Todd Davis had unwavering faith in his company’s services. So much so that he launched an advertising campaign featuring his real social security number. Davis boldly displayed his SSN on billboards, trucks, the internet, and TV ads, challenging anyone to steal his identity. Surprisingly, they did. Matt Lauer revealed on NBC’s Today Show that Davis’s identity was exploited to secure a $500 loan, and 87 others used his SSN under aliases like Joe Blow and Jabba T. Hutt. Davis continues to face the consequences of violating a fundamental rule: never share your social security number unless absolutely necessary. Broadcasting it to the world? That’s beyond strange.
8. Neighbors from Hell
Dubbed the 'neighbors from hell' by a judge, a California couple was recently found guilty of exploiting dozens of friends and neighbors in a large-scale identity theft scheme. Lara Love and David Jackson moved into a tight-knit neighborhood, quickly earning the trust of their neighbors and gaining access to their homes. By exploiting unsecured internet connections, stealing mail, and even swiping wallets from cars, they collected and misused the personal details of 30 individuals. Sadly, this 'friendly theft' case is one of the less shocking stories on this list. Often, it’s those closest to us who betray our trust. A 2009 Javelin Strategy and Research study found that 13% of identity theft victims were targeted by someone they knew.
7. Ivy League Imposter
High school seniors across the nation dream of attending prestigious universities like Harvard or Columbia. The application process is rigorous, with every detail meticulously examined. Yet, Elizabeth Esther Reed managed to gain admission to both schools by falsifying the very first line of her application: her name. Known as Brooke Henson to her peers, Reed assumed the identity of a missing South Carolina woman to enroll in classes and secure employment. Reed’s story was featured on America’s Most Wanted, and she recently pleaded guilty to fraud and identity theft charges.
6. Dr. No
Gerald Barnes was deeply committed to his dream of becoming a doctor, going to extreme lengths to practice medicine—except attending medical school. Instead, he repeatedly stole the identities of real physicians, building his career on their credentials. Despite multiple convictions, Barnes resumed his fraudulent activities each time he was released. Posing as a doctor, he gained trust through community clinics and volunteer missions, all while committing mail fraud, grand theft, and even involuntary manslaughter. With convincing diplomas and a caring demeanor, his patients never doubted his qualifications. Would you?
5. Dead Sea Scrolls
Identity theft is often associated with financial motives, but Raphael Golb’s actions were driven by family loyalty. His father, a University of Chicago professor, proposed a controversial theory about the Dead Sea Scrolls, which faced significant scholarly opposition. To support his father, Golb impersonated several academics online, creating false endorsements for the theory, especially from those who had publicly criticized it. However, the scholars he impersonated did not appreciate his efforts, leading to Golb’s arrest on charges of identity theft, criminal impersonation, and aggravated harassment.
4. You’re How Old?
A woman from the Czech Republic is currently serving time for assuming the identities of multiple 13-year-old children, both boys and girls. In this bizarre case, Barbora Skrlova went to extreme lengths, even attending school as a young boy, fooling teachers and staff by shaving her head and binding her chest. Skrlova also impersonated a missing girl named Anna and a frail boy named Adam. While her reasons for these actions remain unclear, authorities believe she may suffer from a mental health condition.
3. Catch Him if You Can
Frank Abagnale’s story is arguably the most renowned case of identity theft, famously portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio in the 2002 film 'Catch Me if You Can.' During the 1960s, Abagnale evaded capture by impersonating various roles, including an airline pilot, doctor, assistant attorney general, and history professor, while cashing $4 million in fraudulent checks. After being caught and convicted, Abagnale transformed his life, becoming a leading expert on privacy law and running a business dedicated to combating the very crimes he once committed.
2. Stealing from… Himself
Typically, identity theft is committed by individuals in dire straits seeking financial gain. But how desperate must one be to steal their own identity? Li Ming, a graduate student at West Chester University of Pennsylvania, did just that. Overwhelmed by credit card debt, Li faked his death, even publishing a forged obituary in his local newspaper. Nine months later, he attempted to obtain a new driver’s license to apply for fresh credit cards. However, the DMV, unfamiliar with issuing licenses to the deceased, alerted authorities, leading to Li’s arrest for stealing the identity of… Ming Li.
1. Brooklyn Busboy
Picture this: A young man in Brooklyn, New York, borrows $10 from his father, then heads to his low-paying job as a restaurant busboy, dreaming of the financial security enjoyed by icons like Ross Perot and Warren Buffett. In this tale, the busboy is Abraham Abdallah, who took matters into his own hands. In one of the largest identity theft cases, Abdallah exploited the internet to access the private financial details of hundreds of America’s wealthiest individuals. With Steven Spielberg’s credit card and Oprah Winfrey’s financial data at his disposal, Abdallah was eventually caught attempting a $10 million transfer on behalf of a major software company. For now, Oprah’s identity remains secure… or does it?
