Feds bring down hammer on Thor-inspired Fake ID scheme involving Indianapolis man
James Watt, 26, was ordered to three years of probation after pleading guilty in federal court for his role in the scheme in which he mailed tens of thousands of fake IDs "to anyone who was willing to pay," investigators said in court records.
Federal officials allege Watt manufactured the IDs over four years through a website that boasted a tagline "Your #1 Trusted Source for Fake IDs." The website included images of their product using the Marvel character "Thor," played by Hemsworth. Agents noted they found a physical copy of the Thor ID during a search of Watt's residence.
Watt is then said to have mailed the false licenses late at night through the U.S. Postal Service collection boxes.
The business proved lucrative, officials said, with Watt earning 14 Bitcoin for his work. The amount equates to more than $1.3 million. Watt pleaded guilty to money laundering in addition to his unlawful production of a document charge.
"Watt nearly became a millionaire simply through the manufacturing and mailing of thousands of fake IDs, essentially running a one-man BMV,' said John Childress, acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana.
While many of the fake IDs were purchased by underage college students, others were bought by adults for illicit purposes. Investigators said they found one fake identification card was given to a man whose license was suspended for four intoxicated driving convictions.
Officials noted Watt's customers were able to get fake IDs for several purposes, including boarding a plane, buying cough medicine, renting a car, opening a bank account, applying for government assistance and purchasing a firearm.
Contact IndyStar reporter Sarah Nelson at sarah.nelson@indystar.com
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Feds drop hammer on Thor-inspired Fake IDs involving Indianapolis man
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