3 Image

MONEY

A banker once told me that during any crisis, economic depression, or if you are trying to evade the law or a chasing wife, “cash is king.” This is certainly true if you are wanting to disappear, as you will not get very far if you don’t have some money; even posing as a hobo will require some finance. So from where will you get your money?

Most people will have a little money put aside, whereas others may have a lot. This next part has been written for those who have very little. Your plan for disappearing should have a section on harvesting funds, and you should give yourself at least a year in which to do this. There are a few things about cash that you need to be aware of: loose money can get stolen, lost, or destroyed by fire, flood, etc., and once it’s gone, it’s gone. However, if you play it safe and keep your money in a bank it will be secure, but it will also be traceable. My suggestion, therefore, is to use a safe deposit box.

To begin, if you have savings—either joint or personal—slowly siphon them off over the period of planning your disappearance. There are many ways of doing this: one that we have in the UK is called “cash back.” While I am not sure how it works in America, in Europe, cash back is available in supermarkets. It simply means that when you pay for your goods at the checkout, the assistant will ask you if you would like cash back. The money you ask for is added to your food bill. It’s just a convenient way of saving time in front of a busy ATM machine. It’s also a safe way of siphoning off funds from your bank account without anyone paying attention. True, the amount of cash back is limited to £50 per visit, but there is nothing to stop you from visiting several supermarkets a number of times in the same week. Over the course of a year, it will all add up. If people do get access to your bank account details after you have disappeared, then they will not be any the wiser as a credit card transaction in a supermarket will go unnoticed.

Image

Cash is always king, but make sure you have it in recognisable currency such as US dollars, British pounds, sterling, or Euros.

Other ways of raising cash can also be exploited, such as earning extra money by doing small simple jobs that pay just a few dollars at a time. Buying and selling surplus items at a car boot sale or on eBay will do very much the same. Here are a few examples of how to harvest extra cash:

Image

Most supermarkets will give you up to £50 ($75) as cash back when you go shopping.

• Get a second job. This might be something like a simple cleaning job once a week for a few hours, but if you save the money over a year it will help.

• Weekend markets, garage sales, car boot sales—sell off anything you will not be taking with you once you disappear .

• Advertise larger or more expensive items on eBay.

• Cut grass or clear snow.

• Teach what you know, i.e. language—target foreigners entering your country.

• Do online consultancy if you’re very knowledgeable on any subject .

• Edit books for publishers, or proofread for authors.

• Babysit goldfish, cats, dogs, and any small animals for people on vacation or who are infirm.

• Offer airport runs—be cheaper than the local cab.

Never use your disappearance cash fund for an investment to add interest, for as soon as you do this, it can come to the attention of the tax man. Always keep in mind that you do not want to leave any trace behind indicating an intention to disappear. Make sure that, when you have fallen off the earth, there is no trail to follow—leave everything in order as it would have been if you had not intended to disappear. Continue to pay your credit cards on time, pay any ex-wife whatever she is due—do nothing out of the ordinary. Harvest all the small amounts of cash and keep them in a safe place so that when it becomes large enough you can put it in a safe deposit box. True, you will be missing out on interest, but your money will be secure.

Once you have acquired a substantial amount, you might try to legitimately go on vacation and take the bulk of the money with you. You may tell family and friends that you want to visit your long lost relatives in Ireland, Germany, or the UK; you don’t really have to go to any of these countries, just say that you are. Who is going to check? Once you get on the aircraft, you can go anywhere. Most European countries will happily open a bank account for you, or you can purchase a pay-as-you-go credit card. In fact, you could buy several pay-as-you-go credit cards then simply go into any post office and top them up evenly with the cash you brought with you. When you return home, try a simple withdrawal on each card to make sure they are working. You can monitor your accounts online. Now you have some safe money in a foreign bank, which no one knows about, and if you choose the right prepaid credit card, you can withdraw local currency in just about any place on the planet.

While it is possible to pay people in cash, when you need to purchase something via the Internet, you will need a credit card. Again, the best kind of credit card is a prepaid one, which is untraceable.

Image

Credit cards are a virtual necessity in today’s technology–heavy world.

Credit Cards

There are a couple of things you should know about normal credit cards. One is that, while they can be traced through transactions, the only people who can gain access are either the original creditor (i.e. the credit card issuing bank) or the government if you are of interest to them.

Prior to your departure, you should use your credit cards as normal to avoid any suspicion. If you have a large sum of money in the bank, you can always use your credit card to purchase items that you can then sell for cash. While you might lose a little on this type of transaction, you will be converting your savings into your untraceable fund.

Most people think that cash is untraceable, but they would be wrong. Many currencies now have RFID chips in then, the euro being just one example. If you don’t believe me, try putting a 5 euro note (smallest denomination) in the microwave for a few seconds and see what happens. If you check the foil strips, you will see a small burn mark where the RFID chip has fried.

Prepaid Credit Cards

There are many ways to buy prepaid credit cards, although the law varies from country to country. Also, there are no restrictions on you buying a prepaid credit card in one country and using it in another. You simply have to make provisions to top the card up at a convenient place using cash. Prepaid cards are typically marketed to those who have no credit history or have bad credit; they are also used for young people who don’t qualify for standard credit cards. You should take care with which prepaid card you select, as many are loaded with excess fees. Prepaid cards are not covered by the card act that regulates credit cards, therefore many of the guarantees and protection that come with a standard credit card are denied the user of a prepaid card.

In the UK, one of the best prepaid credit cards is from Virgin. A Virgin Prepaid Card costs just £9.95 to buy. You have a choice of two tariffs, one of which being pay as you go. If you think you will only use your Virgin Prepaid Card occasionally, this tariff could be best as there is no monthly fee. You just pay 2.95 percent for each card transaction and cash machine withdrawal in the UK. The other option is a pay monthly card. If you are planning to use your Virgin Prepaid Card a fair bit, this tariff might be more suitable as there is no transaction fee for purchases in the UK. There is a flat monthly fee of £4.75 and a fee of £1.50 for each cash withdrawal in the UK. Loading and reloading your Virgin Prepaid Card with money is easy—it works just like a phone card top up. There are lots of ways to top up, and more than 34,000 places in the UK to choose from, including any post office, by debit or credit card, direct transfer from a bank, etc.

American Prepaid Credit Cards

So why go to all the trouble of gaining a prepaid credit card overseas? The answer is simple: To help the government fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, American federal law requires all financial institutions to obtain, verify, and record information that identifies each person who opens a card account. What this means for you is that when you open an account, you will asked for your name, address, date of birth, and other information that will allow the agencies to identify you. They may also ask to see a copy of your driver’s license or other identifying documents.

Additionally, in America, the maximum amount that can be spent on your card per day is $2,500. The maximum value of your card is restricted to $9,999. Many foreign counties issue prepaid cards with the only limit being the amount you have in your account.

Setting up an Offshore Bank Account

An offshore bank account is simply using a bank in another country. Once you have done this, you will have access to funds anywhere in the world, providing the offshore account issues you with a credit card for the account.

You can set up an offshore account without actually leaving the country by using the Internet, but my personal advice would be to visit the country where you intend to locate and set up the bank account personally. You can use the travel section of your disappearance plan to organize one trip overseas to set up and test your offshore account. In reality, it makes no difference where you set up your account, but it is advisable to have it in the same country you intend to live in once you disappear or very close. A good example would be to set up an account in Malaysia while actually disappearing in Thailand. This would give you direct access to your account and you could visit the bank from time to time should the need arise.

Naturally, you should select a country that is politically and militarily secure and where the banking rules are fairly simple. Once again, you will need an address, but it is easy to setup a postal address and have your mail forwarded to anywhere in the world. Better yet, opt to run your account via the Internet. You will also need proof of your identity, and again, this is simpler if you present yourself in person. They will simply take a copy of your passport and any other documents required; these will sit in a file that no one will ever search. You may need a valid reason to open an account in some countries, but you can always say you are representing your company in setting up a new regional office or retiring to the country. The process should be fairly simple, and all you need to do is to make a deposit—cash is best—and request a credit card.

Once your account is up and running, put in as much money as you deem necessary. My advice is to open at least three accounts— either in the same country or in neighboring countries—and spread the risk in case of something going wrong or an account being suspended for any reason.

Being British, I am not sure how an American citizen stands in regard to foreign banking, but my understanding is that you are NOT allowed to open a foreign bank account without declaring it (so much for the “land of the free”). When it comes to purchasing a prepaid credit card, there is absolutely nothing to stop you, although in effect you are actually putting your money in a foreign bank and simply withdrawing it from your card anywhere in the world.

Offshore banks do not report your income to the IRS like US banks do, so they use an honor system, which means that it is up to you to report your income. It is possible to open an account in Switzerland via email, but turning up in person is a much better idea. Bear in mind, though, that in recent years the US has made inroads with the Swiss banks and could possibly trace your account. They are not as private as they used to be. My understanding is that one of the best banks is Credit Suisse, which will open an account for nonresidents. There is no minimum deposit, but you will have to pay annual fees unless you have more than 50,000 Swiss francs in your account.

A few years ago, you could open a bank account in Thailand with ease. However, in the past four years things have changed, and you will now need a work permit to open one. On the other hand, opening a bank account in Malaysia is a straightforward process. Bank accounts are not confined to Malaysian residents, and foreigners can freely set up bank accounts in Malaysia if they fulfill certain requirements.

Image

Indian banks are fairly flexible and it’s easy to set up an account.

In order to open a bank account in Malaysia without holding a residency permit, you will need reference from either a Malaysian contact or your company. It is nominally required for you to hold a work permit or to be in Malaysia under the MM2H program to be able to open a bank account. But this does not always matter because, as regulations are not that firmly set, some banks will still accept your application without such a visa. Take your passport and a simple letter from your employer (it’s simple to get one in Malaysia), and the rest is easy. However, once you have opened your bank account, getting a credit card in Malaysia is not as straightforward. You will need to question a prospective bank about it before you finally settle on one. These restrictions aside, you can still buy a pay-as-you-go credit card from several banks in Malaysia. The following web address will take you directly to one such facility: http://www.ambankgroup.com/en/Personal/Cards/PrepaidCards/Pages/default.aspx.

Before you finally disappear, you need to convert as many of your assets into cash as possible, but do it in such a way that will not arouse suspicion or leave a trail of evidence to indicate your intention. There are many ways to gather cash, and the amount you will be able to gather will depend on the assets you have.

If you have cash in a savings or deposit account, you should slowly remove this by making small withdrawals over a period of time and place the cash in a safety deposit box. If you do this cautiously, as if you are using the money for day-to-day expenditure, then there is nothing to indicate that you withdrew any large amount in order to disappear. If your employment involves a lot of overseas travel, you can withdraw a decent amount of foreign currency each time, and then when you return, simply convert your unspent foreign currency back into cash. Your expenses will show you traveled overseas and will therefore legitimately hide the transaction.

Don’t forget, before you disappear, you will want to sell as many of your personal items as possible. If you intend to do this, make sure you choose a weekend market that is some distance away from your home, so the likelihood of anyone recognizing you is limited. An even better way to dispose of goods is to sell them privately on eBay. The key to remember is not to sell or do anything financially in a way that will cause people to wonder what you’re up to. If they do ask a question, simply say something like you have sold your motorbike because you are thinking of buying a new one.

Image

Car boot sales are always a good way of converting your old belongings into cash.

Investing in Gold

Gold has been used as currency by most of the known world and still is today. Gold is a good investment, acceptable just about anywhere, and has a great liquidity (it’s easy to sell). You may consider taking up a hobby collecting gold coins. You simply keep your new activity a secret and, if discovered, simply say your secrecy was to protect your investment from robbery. The American Eagle is one such coin, as it shows its value and can be exchanged for cash with confidence. You can purchase American Eagle Gold Bullion Coins from most major coin and precious metals dealers or via the bank. Many dealers advertise their coins online, and a simple transaction can secure your purchase.

Gold coins are also easy to transport between countries, as they are small and not too heavy to carry on your person if you only transport a few at a time. Additionally, most banks will accept recognizable gold coins as a deposit. On operations in foreign countries where the British SAS are required to work behind the lines, they are issued with a money belt that contains twenty gold half sovereigns with which they can buy their freedom if captured or evading the enemy.

Image

Gold coins are accepted by most people around the world—some people prefer them to paper money.

Transporting Your Money

If you wish to carry large sums of money on your person when you are traveling overseas, be aware that most countries operate strict rules on the amount of money you can actually carry in and out of the country. Usually these questions are asked on the immigration and customs form you’re required to fill in prior to entry. However, if you behave in a rational manner and provide no reason for the customs or immigration officers to search you, then there is a good possibility that you can carry a large sum of cash distributed throughout your personal clothing and your luggage. When doing this, do not try to hide the money in a covert way because if customs searches your luggage and finds any money hidden in an unnatural way, they will strip search your entire body. My advice is to carry as much you can in high denomination notes in your wallet with an equal amount in a plain brown envelope. This way you will avoid any suspicion, and if the envelope is discovered you simply say that this is a deposit for something you wish to buy in the country.

Author’s Note: Legally, when you travel from country to country you’re required to declare cash or other monetary means such as traveler’s checks. However, you do not have to declare gold. This allows for another possibility whereby you purchase gold coins in your own country and sell them in another. A stopover in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Oman, or Kuwait will allow you to buy gold at a good rate with US dollars. You can then take them on to Singapore or Malaysia and sell them with little loss (and possibly some gain) in the exchange there.

Hiding Your Cash

Offshore accounts can possibly be traced, and one can lead to another. Personally, I think having cash in US dollars or Euros is always a good thing. Once you have disappeared, make sure you always have enough cash to leave a country in a hurry, either by plane, ship, or overland. It is risky carrying large amounts of cash around with you, so don’t keep it in your wallet; either wear a hidden money belt or leave it in a secure place that you can access quickly.

Image

Hiding your cash is easy if you use a little imagination.

When it comes to actually transporting your money, you will want to keep it safe. Traveling with money is and always will be a hazardous business, but if you take care and follow a few basic rules, you should be safe enough. The first rule is NEVER ever let anyone know you are carrying large sums of money. The second rule is to ALWAYS carry a second dummy wallet in case you are mugged .

Dummy Wallet

If you should find yourself in an unsavory district where the rate of mugging is high, you should always carry a spare wallet. Fill this with a few dollars and some out–of–date credit cards. If you do get mugged, remember the mugger will want your wallet in a hurry and then run off. Always hesitate a little if mugged, don’t be too hasty in offering them your wallet; let them demand it first. When you do give it to them, throw it on the ground and back away. They should run off without examining the contents—make haste and go the opposite way, just in case they come back.

Never carry more cash than you actually need. Withdraw only what you need from an ATM, and don’t let anyone see how much you have taken out. At the first opportunity, split your cash into several small piles and secrete them about your person or stash them in a safe place .

Here are a few ways to hide your money; they are not fool–proof—a professional or customs officer would find them quite quickly. Remember, when they find one hidden stash, they will rip you apart for the rest.

Image

Barry Davies

Make up a dummy wallet to prevent your real one from being taken in a robbery. This one contains only useless cards and old foreign currency.

• Utilize your pants. Put your money or credit cards in a small snap–sealed plastic bag down the front of your pants. Customs officers will happily feel your bottom but rarely put their hands on your crotch. Ladies can also try under their breasts; again few customs officers will go there unless it’s a major search.

• Wrap the same plastic bag around your ankle and secure it with an elastic band.

• The waistband of a man’s trousers is one of the best places.

• Don’t overdo it though, and spread the money out evenly along the whole waistband.

• Make a hidden pocket inside trousers, shirts, or jacket as a last resort.

• Use a large non-padded dressing that will cover your money and stick it to your body. Dress and test to see that it’s undetectable .

• On the soles of your feet, but make sure you cover it by wearing socks in case they make you remove your shoes.

We are all used to being searched today due mainly to the terrorist threat at airports, but even the most vigilant of airport security has its limits. We have to remove our laptops, jackets, belts, and shoes. You then enter a machine that will normally only check you for metal, but recently these scanners have become more sophisticated and are able to detect drugs and explosives. Luckily, we are not at the stage where they can detect money.

Image

Airport security is very strict. Denude yourself of any metal, and you should pass through with ease.

You can help yourself by not wearing any metal—no watch, no jewelry etc.—and there is a very good chance that you will go through the scanner with little or no trouble and without the alarm being set off (normally these are set to high anyway). If you do get patted down, they always miss the following places: your crotch, female breasts, head, mouth, anus, the very bottoms of your trousers or jeans, and soles of your feet.

Summary

As different rules and laws apply to each country, it is difficult to specify exactly how you should first harvest your disappearance fund and how you should then conceal it from others. The odd thing about money is that it does attract a lot of attention, especially when a country’s tax or revenue department wants its share of your earnings. Simply attain as much cash as possible, either from your own savings or investment or by earning extra money.

Once you have what you consider a reasonable amount, make sure you convert it into some secure but readily accessible source, such as prepaid credit cards or gold coins. Be very careful not to have all your eggs in one basket and to separate your disappearance fund into several different accounts. If you’re transporting money, it is best done by having it on your person or hidden in your on-board luggage —always keep it within sight.

Your disappearance fund is vital to your plans. Even if you choose to become a hobo for several years, you will still need some financial support .