Darien Police Warn of Stiff Penalties for Fake IDs

Fake IDs are often far more authentic that McLovin’s from the movie Superbad. They can also come with major consequences.

Darien Police are warning people that potential stiff penalties could come with possessing a fake ID.

In recent weeks police have confiscated a number of counterfeit IDs, said Sgt. Jeremiah Marron. Many young people are getting the IDs online. Websites ask for a name, photo and payment and a fake address is pulled from house listings.

Many of the fakes are high-quality and are nearly indistinguishable from authentic IDs, Marron said.

Typically people are asked to pay between $100 and $200 via pre-paid credit cards, wire transfers or Bitcoin.

“Young people and their parents need to realize that obtaining fraudulent identification is a serious crime with potential criminal consequences,” Marron said. “Although their teenager may only be using a fake ID to buy alcohol or get into a bar, driver’s licenses are official government-issued documents.”

Underage drinking in town is a very real concern, Marron said.

Those who carry a fake ID could be charged with second-degree forgery, a Class D felony tha carries a penalty of up to five years in jail and a $5,000 fine.

“The moral of the story here is that fake IDs aren’t as casual as our young people and their friends play them off to be,” he said. “They come with big risks and even bigger legal consequences if they’re caught. While it’s unlikely that this crime will result in a prison sentence, especially as a first offense, a future employer could see a potential employee as someone who has honesty issues.”