Identity Theft Through The Ages
Was Jesus Christ the first recorded victim of identity theft?
Because it has recently become so widespread, many assume identity theft is a whole new phenomenon. However, identity theft has been practiced by the less than scrupulous throughout history. In the early times when personal records were scant, it was not unheard of for identity theft to be perpetrated for the gain of status, authority or even a stately inheritance. Even as the world became more organized, slipping into another identity to gain access to money, goods and benefits was still a rather easy task.
In the years after the death of Jesus Christ it was not uncommon for individuals to go around proclaiming to be the risen savior Himself. Of the many, one individual traveled the area of Arles, France with an attendant whom he called Mary close to the end of the sixth century. The two wandered about performing miracles and gaining much in the way of remuneration in addition to followers. Unfortunately, the two met an ambassador of the local Bishop who killed the perpetrator and chased off his companion.
Paulus Tigrinus is known for duping Pope Boniface IX and many other patriarchal officials into believing he was the Patriarch of Constantinople. He thereby was able to reap a number of benefits and rewards from royals of the highest court before being exposed as a fraud.
Because travel was rare and information did not spread as quickly as it does today, the death of a royal or other aristocrat often allowed fraudsters to impersonate officials in other parts of a country or region. Both Russian and French courts have a long history of identity thieves claiming to be officials of or heirs to the throne with forged documents. So convincing were some, several con men and women were able to convince a number of individuals, both rich and poor, to fund their fake courts and live well before moving off or being found out and punished thusly.
In early 1900, a German man by the name of Wilhelm Voigt pilfered his town’s municipal accounts by donning a discarded captain’s suit and working for months to amass a small brigade of military personnel. He then stormed the Kopenick meeting hall, arrested the mayor and absconded with an amount equal to approximately $300,000.
Among other con jobs, Joseph Weil spent part of his life pretending to be major investor in the Chicago area in the 1920’s. He used the swanky executive offices of banks which were very good for impressing well to do potential investors. He would then convince them to entrust him with large cash deposits for bogus land and business opportunities.
As time and technology evolves, there is a never ending battle to thwart identity thieves as they come up with new ways to work their old tricks. Luckily, the recent victimization of a large number of people has also created a massive amount of awareness. Many are taking steps to keep their information and their futures safe by shredding credit cards statements, never giving personal information over the phone, visiting only secured websites and opting for identity theft protection and credit report monitoring.
