Thread: Take note and report use of fake IDs, DHS and DOJ tell law enforcement

Take note and report use of fake IDs, DHS and DOJ tell law enforcement

Wed, 2012-10-31 08:11 AM By: Mark Rockwell

Fake badge

Fake identification documents and badges that have turned up in non-terror related suspicious activity reports from around the U.S. show how fake documents and official accessories could be used by terrorists, according to a memo circulated by the Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department.

The unclassified memo sent out to law enforcement by DHS and the Justice Department on September 14 noted said two recent incidents that were not linked to terrorist activity showed the potential for the use of bogus official IDs and other official trappings might be used by terrorists.

The reports, derived from the Nationwide Suspicious Activity Report Initiative (NSI), said individuals used fake badges and business cards in attempts to gain entry to restricted areas and security plans. The incidents, said the one-page Unclassified, For Official Use (U//FOUO) memo made available on the Public Intelligence open source Web site on Oct. 31, weren’t linked to terrorism, but demonstrated “types of behavior terrorists might exhibit during planning or actual attacks.”

“Although none were linked to terrorist activity, we consider the examples relevant for situational awareness and training,” it said.

In one incident detailed in the document, a security officer at an unidentified critical infrastructure site approached two individuals who displayed badges and holstered hand guns and claimed to be ‘homeland security’ personnel conducting an investigation. The individuals, it said, refused to identify themselves and directed the officer to stay back.

A subsequent investigation, said the memo, revealed the individuals weren’t authorized homeland security/law enforcement officials.

In the second incident, the memo said an individual claiming to be an undercover FBI agent, contacted a security officer at an indoor concert arena in an attempt to get security plans for the building. He presented a fake business card identifying him as a special agent with the FBI. The man was later arrested and charged with impersonating a police officer, said the memo.

DHS and DoJ also noted Anders Breivik -- the gunman sentenced to 21 years in prison for attacking a Workers Youth League Camp in Norway in 2011 -- wore a police uniform and showed fake identification to get access to the facility.

Depending on the target, said the memo, disguises might be aimed at impersonating law enforcement, emergency services, or officials of an institution who have legitimate access to secured/restricted sites.

Other techniques that might indicate attempts at misidentification could include “cloned” official vehicles with fake fire department, law enforcement, or other official insignia, as well as partial uniforms, mock weapons and attempts by individuals to discourage security personnel from requesting proof of identification, it said.

Take note and report use of fake IDs, DHS and DOJ tell law enforcement | Government Security News

Interesting how impersonating an officer will get LE's attention, while literally millions of Americans are being impersonated by illegal aliens via stolen identities, with ZERO being done about it. Then there's then billion$ upon billion$ of stolen social security tax returns leaving the country with not a whimper. It goes on and one and ...