ID Theft
Is it illegial to fake your own death?
I was having a fight with 2 friends, and it was about the legality of faking your own death. Obviously, if you gain any money (ie Insurance Fraud), commit Identity Theft, desecrate a body, dodge any debts, or child-payments, get someone blamed for your murder, or do Anything against the law, then it's illegial. Pretend none of those things happen. It boiled down to this scenario: Joe has no outstanding debts, has never been married, and has no children. Joe pretends to be kidnapped. His friend Mac helps out. Mac sends several letters to Joe's family, demanding a ransom and threatening Joe's safety. (Mac has no intention of collecting ransom or hurting Joe.) After a few days, Mac stops, and Joe is never heard from again. Joe's family assume Joe has been killed. Joe continues to use his regular identification and pays taxes. Is this scenario illegial, or just a nasty trick? -Hoping someone in-the-know will settle this argument.
Public Comments
- Well, if the family reports it to the cops, then the cops could charge both Joe and Mac. It is a fraud.
- yes
- If Joe ends up telling his family then I would call it a nasty trick. If not mac may due some prison time.
- Considering that the family would report Joe's kidnapping, both Joe and Mac would be in trouble with the law. There would also be the time and money spent by the police on a false case. And, demanding ransom is extortion, whether they intend to collect or not.
- At a minimum you would have criminal charges for Fraud and Inducing a Panic. I'm sure the police wouldn't take kindly to being called out on a kidnapping charge to find out it was a joke. In today's world, you wouldn't be able to continue to use your regular ID.
