Why fake IDs are so expensive in SR4, Identity farming for fun and profit Options

[Buster]

Here's an excellent article by the legendary Bruce Schneier about what it takes to create a bulletproof false identity these days. In a nutshell, it takes years to grow; in fact it takes as long as a real adult human to grow from birth to adulthood. A service is needed to grow these before they're needed so nefarious characters (like Shadowrunners) can pay big bucks and step into them when needed.

Call it "identity farming." You invent a handful of infants. You apply for Social Security numbers for them. Eventually, you open bank accounts for them, file tax returns for them, register them to vote, and apply for credit cards in their name. And now, 25 years later, you have a handful of identities ready and waiting for some real people to step into them.

Here's the full article
http://www.wired.com/politics/security/com...itymatters_0904

-- Buster