LONDON — In an era of global migration, political instability, and financial insecurity, the demand for second passports and new legal identities is booming. Entire industries have emerged to meet this demand—from government-sponsored citizenship by investment (CBI) programs to black-market identity brokers operating on the dark web. However, the line between what is legal and what is criminal often remains dangerously blurred.
Can companies legally sell second passports and new identities?
When does assistance become facilitation of fraud?
And where do sovereign governments draw the line between discretion and deception?
Amicus International Consulting, a firm specializing in legal identity change and citizenship planning, clarifies this increasingly controversial question. This press release explores the legality of selling identities, the difference between legitimate consulting and criminal forgery, and what consumers and governments need to watch for in 2025.
Can Second Passports Be Legally Sold?
Yes, but only by governments.
Second passports can be legally obtained through:
- Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs
- Naturalization by residency, marriage, or ancestry
- Asylum and humanitarian protection programs
However, only sovereign governments can lawfully issue citizenship and passports. Any company or broker claiming to sell you a passport directly without state involvement operates illegally or deceptively.
What is legal:
✅ Government-backed CBI programs
✅ Law firms or consulting agencies assisting with the legal process
✅ Agents acting as intermediaries with official mandates
What is illegal:
❌ Black market or dark web passport vendors
❌ Bribes to government officials for identity papers
❌ Forged, altered, or stolen documents
❌ Selling identities of deceased persons or real individuals
Where Does Selling “New Identities” Cross the Line?
Legally speaking, no one can sell you another person’s identity or fabricate an entirely fictional one with real government documents, without breaking the law.
Changing your legal identity (name, gender, nationality) is allowed through proper judicial or civil registration processes. A reputable firm like Amicus can assist you with these legal channels, but it cannot and will not issue identity documents.
Red flags of illegal identity sales:
- Promises of anonymity or immunity with no background checks
- “Real” passports that bypass government involvement
- Use of fake embassies or diplomatic seals
- Requests for payment in untraceable cryptocurrency only
- No clear disclosure of the issuing country’s legal process
Legal vs. Illegal Identity Services: A Comparison
| Service Type | Legal? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Legal name change assistance | ✅ | Via court or civil registry |
| CBI program application assistance | ✅ | Done through licensed consultants or attorneys |
| Selling fake birth certificates | ❌ | Criminal offence in most countries |
| Offering “clean” passports via the dark web | ❌ | Often tied to identity theft or document forgery. |
| Creating synthetic digital identities | ❌ | Illegal when used to bypass KYC or evade law enforcement |
| Helping a client restore lost or stateless nationality | ✅ | If supported by documentation and lawful process |
Case Study: Legal Sales vs. Criminal Schemes
Case A: Legal Pathway
A South African entrepreneur with ancestral ties to Portugal hired Amicus to manage his Portuguese citizenship application. After collecting birth records and providing proof of lineage, he was granted citizenship and issued a new EU passport—entirely within legal frameworks.
Case B: Illegal Identity Scheme
In 2023, a fugitive from Hong Kong purchased a “diplomatic passport” from a dark web vendor claiming ties to Guinea-Bissau. The passport was flagged at an airport in Belgium, revealing it had been cloned from a stolen blank. The individual was arrested and charged with identity fraud, forgery, and attempted evasion of international arrest warrants.
Government Crackdowns on Unlawful Identity Sales
In the past five years, law enforcement agencies have launched primary operations to combat illegal passport and identity trafficking:
- Operation Mirage (2023–2024): Shut down 13 dark web passport vendors, with 90+ arrests across 17 countries
- INTERPOL Red Trace: New biometric database launched to detect synthetic and stolen identities linked to passport fraud
- U.S. Marshals & DHS Joint Task Force: Targeting Americans who use fake identities to avoid federal warrants or tax obligations
These efforts show a global consensus: legitimate citizenship and identity change must be earned, not bought.
What Amicus International Legally Offers
Amicus International Consulting provides legal and transparent solutions to clients seeking:
- Second citizenship via government-approved CBI or naturalization routes
- Legal name and identity changes for safety, privacy, or personal reasons
- Guidance for high-risk individuals relocating due to political persecution
- Compliance with AML/KYC rules for identity restructuring
- Confidential audits for those unsure if their documents meet international standards
Amicus does not sell forged, stolen, or falsified documents. All services are provided within the legal frameworks of the countries involved.
Final Word: Legal Doesn’t Mean Easy
Acquiring a new legal identity or second nationality is possible—but not simple. It requires due diligence, patience, government vetting, and often significant financial resources. Companies or individuals who promise shortcuts, absolute anonymity, or immunity likely operate outside the law and expose clients to serious legal consequences.
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t.
📞 Contact Information
Phone: +1 (604) 200-5402
Email: info@amicusint.ca
Website: www.amicusint.ca
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