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When investigators aim to solve a crime, they must first determine a motive. In the case of Identity Theft, the motive is primarily money, although other motives may include revenge, securing a legal job, alias for committing another crime, etc....

Is there another reason why so many people are willing to commit Identity Theft? Unfortunately, we believe there is. It is not necessarily a stand-alone motive, but at least, it is a supporting motive: "the thrill of it". This is the dark side of Identity Theft. On one hand, Identity Theft is absolutely detrimental to the victim, while on the other hand, some of those committing it and getting away with it may find it thrilling.

We have often heard of rich celebrities being accused of theft. Winona Ryder, the famous Hollywood actress, certainly did not seem to be in need when she was accused of shoplifting at Saks Fifth Avenue in 2001. She was convicted of misdemeanor theft and vandalism. Other famous people accused of shoplifting include politicians as well as movie stars. Some people commit such acts out of emotional distress. Others simply commit them for the thrill and the excitement.

Undoubtedly, Identity Theft is not exactly the same thing as shoplifting. However, it is unfortunate that society may have engrained the thrill of Identity theft in us from the day we are born, at least on a subliminal level. Masquerading in another person's identity is something we have all done. Have you ever been Trick or Treating? You certainly did not expect to get much candy without a good costume on Halloween... We certainly are not implying that Trick or Treating is Identity Theft. However, it is an example where from a very early age, we learn to derive pleasure from pretending to be someone else.

What is one of the most watched TV shows in America? The Oscars. Over 40 Million people watch the Oscars every year. What is it exactly that we are watching? An award ceremony primarily for determining the best actors and actresses. What makes them the best? Their ability to convincingly metamorphose into the chosen character. Is acting Identity Theft? Absolutely not. Acting is acting. However, the thrill of acting as someone else certainly captivates the actors, as well as the audience. The objective of acting is to become the character. The best actors are those who can assume the role of many different characters, and do so quite convincingly, that we often forget what their real names are.

The Parent Trap is a movie made in 1961, followed by The parent Trap II in 1986, and then remade once again in 1998. The story has been adapted in many versions and languages throughout the world. Such story  that has captivated the imagination of Millions is about an identity swap between two twin sisters. Following the divorce of their parents, the two twin sisters were separated while very young, each living separately with the mother or father, and unaware of her sibling. Upon meeting by coincidence, they swap identities to learn about each other's lives, and hoping to ultimately reunite their parents.

In the eyes of their parents, they committed Identity Theft because they deceived those around them. In their own minds and the mind of the audience, they merely used their wits for a good cause. No matter which way you categorize such event, it reinforces the thrill associated with assuming another person's identity. Countless other movies have been made on similar topics, where the audience shares in the thrill of the hero assuming another identity.