IN IN - Paul Raymond Harrod May Have Been Using False Identity - Hamilton County - 27 Nov 1992 #2

[Laughing]

What was the book again? A book about identity theft?

This is the bank robber who had a fake identity who died a few years ago. He didn't take on a dead child's identity so he didn't have/ couldn't get a birth certificate so he couldn't get a passport. But he married a woman who obviously didn't ask too many questions and they had a daughter.

He, too, wanted to get away from his past at a young age like Lori Ruff as he had some issues with his family, although like Lori Ruff, those issues wouldn't have led many people to go that far. They aren't mentioned in this article, but the substance of the whole thing was, that the bank robbery was to get money to start a new life. As for fake Paul, he seems not to have had any major crimes in his past, and probably has or had a more ordinary story..

Before his death, Lynnfield man revealed to family he was elusive criminal

After more than 50 years on the run from police, a Lynnfield man finally told his family his criminal secret before he died in 2021.

www.cbsnews.com

bbm

The I.D. Master: Identity Change Insider... book by John Q. Newman

NOT advertising for ThriftBooks, I do use them, book currently available on eBay & Amazon as well.

jmho ymmv lrr

 

[lonewanderer]

Ok,

I may have uncovered the OG version of it all.

"Paper trip" section covering how to steal a deceased child's identity using "breeder documents". Originally written in 1970 or 1971, it was intended to help dodge the draft (though seems a little late for that, huh?).

These documents also go into great detail about the way different states unique rules for identity establishments.

https://rs4.reuther.wayne.edu/LR000874/BOX_13_PDF/LR000874_01_02_E_013_020_001.pdf

Full text of "Paper Tripping"

 

[lonewanderer]

According to a businessindider article from December 2023, South Dakota is dead last in reported cases of identity theft.

States with the most and least identity theft.

The states with the highest rates of identity theft tend to have greater rates of identity theft. See which states are most dangerous in 2025, and learn how to protect yourself.

www.businessinsider.com

I find this interesting, as both fake-Paul and Joseph Newton Chandler both utilized this (fairly obscure) state as part of their schemes.

The paper tripping big book has a section for SD that seems pretty easy to get it approved:

"SOUTH DAKOTA

If you have lived- in one of the counties in this state for six
months or more, you may file a petition in the circuit court You
must list your present name, the new name you wish to adopt
and your reasons for requesting the change. The court will set a
date for the hearing; and notice of the time, place and reason for
the hearing must be published once a week for four weeks in a
newspaper with general circulation in the county.


Unless the court finds what it considers "substantial reason”
for refusing your request, you will be granted your new name.
Any legal actions pending at that time will not be affected

Information on doing business under an assumed name is
covered in Chapter 37-11 of the South Dakota Compiled Laws.
Changes of names resulting from divorce suits are discussed in
Chapter 25447."

 

[LordMo]

Just makes my brain jog a bit, and in my personally opinion does not have much substance but thanks for encouraging me to put it out there to get it out of my mind.

Unlikely? Sure. But imagine if this actually was the truth, and you never said anything. You'd feel like the biggest idiot in the world!

 

[summergirl1]

I thought it would be interesting to mention that in the Joseph Chandler case, an address he listed on a rental application was real and he once had been strongly associated with it; what wasn't real was the city and state it was supposedly in. It was the address of his childhood home. In the fake Paul case, there are probably some similar truth facts among the lies, like how he didn't list the real mother of Paul Harrod on some document relating to his marriage..

The man without a name

Robert Ivan Nichols simply disappeared from his average, 1960s Midwestern life — until, using DNA, sleuths uncovered the truth. But were they digging where they shouldn’t have been?

www.vox.com

 

[lonewanderer]

I thought it would be interesting to mention that in the Joseph Chandler case, an address he listed on a rental application was real and he once had been strongly associated with it; what wasn't real was the city and state it was supposedly in. It was the address of his childhood home. In the fake Paul case, there are probably some similar truth facts among the lies, like how he didn't list the real mother of Paul Harrod on some document relating to his marriage..

The man without a name

Robert Ivan Nichols simply disappeared from his average, 1960s Midwestern life — until, using DNA, sleuths uncovered the truth. But were they digging where they shouldn’t have been?

www.vox.com

I am doing a deeper dig at similarities with FP, Chandler, and Lori Ruff.

I made an earlier post with a ton of eerie same states and years involved with FP and Chandler.

As for Chandler listing a real place, my theory is so that they can remember their stories a little better and it helped them keep their deceit in order. I theorize it was to keep them from slipping up. I noticed FP used the surname Harrod in two parts of his identity, and I cannot remember why I thought this was important, but there is also a Harrod, Ohio. His last name, a place he alleged to have worked at (Harrod's Casino) and it may or may not be important that Skippy (the real Paul) was from Ohio which has a town named Harrod in it.

Two things about Paul and Chandler that seem different. Chandler used his real name (Nichols) and was able to be tracked via IRS up until shortly before his name change. As far as we know, FP may or may not have done that. FP chose to steal a deceased childs identity that was (highly likely) older than him, and Chandler stole and identity that was about 19 years younger.

Keeping the story straight is important. Slipping up is something that happened to Kimberly Kessler. Her coworker started noticing major differences and flat out lies in her stories, and when her coworker confronted her about it, Kimberly murdered her. Kimberly used a very similar formula to Ruff, Chandler, and FP, but she was a very violent and unhinged person on top of being a chronic deceased child identity changer. I plan to look more into her case, too.

 

[summergirl1]

Hopefully the detective comes back and reads this thread one of these days. That's an interesting theory about why there's sometimes parts of the truth in these people's stories..so they can remember them better.

I know it has stood out that Fake Paul did not list Paul Harrod's real mother on his marriage record, but instead listed a woman named "Margaret Coletti". He also claimed his mother was Italian, yet Paul Harrod's mother was not. So was that Paul's version of Chandler's partially true address? It makes you wonder. His mother obviously wasn't named Margaret Coletti, because so far no research has linked anybody like him to any woman who had that name. But, maybe part of the name was true..like Margaret or Coletti. Or maybe those were parts of the name of some other relative.

There's some grains of truth in him claiming Italian identity I feel, and perhaps in part of his alleged mother's name. He probably actually did have some New York connection too, or his family did. It's possible he had Mafia ties if he was really of Italian descent. But maybe that had nothing to with his ability to disappear like the wind..

 

[lonewanderer]

Hopefully the detective comes back and reads this thread one of these days. That's an interesting theory about why there's sometimes parts of the truth in these people's stories..so they can remember them better.

I know it has stood out that Fake Paul did not list Paul Harrod's real mother on his marriage record, but instead listed a woman named "Margaret Coletti". He also claimed his mother was Italian, yet Paul Harrod's mother was not. So was that Paul's version of Chandler's partially true address? It makes you wonder. His mother obviously wasn't named Margaret Coletti, because so far no research has linked anybody like him to any woman who had that name. But, maybe part of the name was true..like Margaret or Coletti. Or maybe those were parts of the name of some other relative.

There's some grains of truth in him claiming Italian identity I feel, and perhaps in part of his alleged mother's name. He probably actually did have some New York connection too, or his family did. It's possible he had Mafia ties if he was really of Italian descent. But maybe that had nothing to with his ability to disappear like the wind..

I know I am just using a small sample size for identity theft people, but I use a couple of people for comparisons.

In two male cases, both Chandler and FPs case, they were both very quiet and secretive about their identities. Both of these men kept their odd behaviors to themselves for the most part. FP with the weird scar and bandage thing, Newton with his many really weird behaviors. As for truthfulness, a few parts of Chandler's new identity had true elements to it. The specific way they did this is what stands out to me, the method of stealing identities from deceased children and keeping a very low profile. There has been plenty of over-the-top con men who used false identities and lived exaggerate lifestyles, Ferdinand Waldo Demara, James Dee Francis/Frances Sheker, many others. The difference with them is that they did not steal deceased children's identities and they did not try to stay off the radar.

In two cases of women stealing deceased children's identities, the women tended to be very erratic, unstable, violent, and the vast majority of their stories were completely untrue. Lori Ruff made up lies about Arizona and other parts of her life, and Kimberly Kessler is an extremely violent woman who pathologically lied so much that her coworker noticed and confronted her about it, which lead to Kimberly killing her. If you have never heard of Kimberly Kessler, she is a completely psychotic and unhinged woman with extremely shocking stories behind her.

The women also changed their names multiple times and took clever measures such as Lori stealing one identity of a child born in one state and died in another, making it much harder to find her. I generally find women to be much, much more clever in true crime cases, not just identity theft cases in particular.

 

[lonewanderer]

On the WhoIsPRH? website it says that he worked for Harrod's Casino in Las Vegas?

Are we sure that wasn't Harrah's casino, just heard incorrectly?

It didn't become Harrah's until 1992 though, so that would be weird if FP knew it had a name change.

https://filecache.mediaroom.com/mr5mr_casearslasvegas/198140/Harrah%27s%20Las%20Vegas%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf

 

[lonewanderer]

Also, the WhoIsPRH? website describes his favorite jacket as "Chesty Chips".

Are we sure this isn't Chesty or Chester Cheetos?

 

[Andreee]

Also, the WhoIsPRH? website describes his favorite jacket as "Chesty Chips".

Are we sure this isn't Chesty or Chester Cheetos?

One of our posters looked extensively into this and gave the full background on Chesty Chips and FPRH. It is the posts by Megs and her posts arent too far back in the thread. I believe that is her website as well that you referenced. I see she is a former WS member here.

 

[Andreee]

On the WhoIsPRH? website it says that he worked for Harrod's Casino in Las Vegas?

Are we sure that wasn't Harrah's casino, just heard incorrectly?

It didn't become Harrah's until 1992 though, so that would be weird if FP knew it had a name change.

https://filecache.mediaroom.com/mr5mr_casearslasvegas/198140/Harrah%27s%20Las%20Vegas%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf

I cant recall but his time working at a Las Vegas casino has been discussed, although I dont recall the particulars or even if it's true. At this point I honestly think the only way the true identity of fake PRH will come to light is if a family member of his or relative comes forward after seeing one of the photos and articles about him.

 

[lonewanderer]

I cant recall but his time working at a Las Vegas casino has been discussed, although I dont recall the particulars or even if it's true. At this point I honestly think the only way the true identity of fake PRH will come to light is if a family member of his or relative comes forward after seeing one of the photos and articles about him.

I think he will be resurfaced as a mysterious person's death, much like Netwon and Ruff. As in, he is found dead, either unidentified or quickly outed as having a false name.

There is hope he will get busted, alive.

Here is a recent case of that:

"A former New Yorker, who stole the identity of a deceased child 40 years ago and relocated to Fresno, pleaded guilty this week to passport fraud. Kenneth Laitman, aka John Rodman, 79, worked as a stockbroker in New York during the mid-1980s. For some unknown reason, he moved to California in 1984 and began using the name, John Rodman. According to court documents, Rodman died in 1950 at the age of four. With a new identity, Laitman was able to get various forms of identification, worked different jobs, opened bank accounts, and received government benefits, according the federal indictment. At one point, Laitman worked at an endoscopy practice. His downfall came in 2014 when he tried to renew his passport using Rodman’s name, date of birth and social security number. Laitman is charged with fraudulently attempting to renew his phony passport. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. He is due to be sentenced on April 29. This case was investigated by the Diplomatic Security Service, the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Barton is prosecuting the case.

Read more at: https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article284355289.html#storylink=cpy
om/news/local/article284355289.html"

 

[lonewanderer]

Thanks! Yes, I figured the Detective must be busy with his regular work. So it does sound like rPRH was in that general region of Sheridan for the entirety of those years 1987 to 1992. I am probably overthinking everything, but I have been reading about fraudulent birth certificates, SSN's, etc. and now I am wondering what PRH used to apply for his 1987 SSN. A fake birth certificate I assume based on the death through cemetery search or news clipping. So I guess there wasn't coordination between states so that the Eagleton Vital stats local city office wouldn't be aware of the death of the real PRH. I imagine SSN's require photos on them, not sure as here in Canada we don't have photos on ours. What I'm getting at is a new thought I had. Could it have been that the SSN card was gotten by the fraudster himself and later sold to fprh? Or am I barking up the wrong tree. From what I'm reading, this type of fraud identity in the USA has gotten worse and actually easier to do, rather than more difficult to do. Even with coordination due to internet. If I'm not making complete sense please disregard lol.

Sorry if its been answered already, but Lori Ruff obtained Becky Sue Turner's birth certificate and used it in 1988 to pose as Turner before a judge to have her named changed to Lori Erica Kennedy.

Similar time frame to when FP would have had his name changed, but he of course could have done it differently.

She obtained this in California, which is really interesting to me because Newton Chandler also took off for California as as well as the Fresno man, coming from New York, I mentioned a few posts up.

 

[lonewanderer]

I have some catching up to do. Somewhere along the line Marla told me fPRH went to a convention in GA for something.

The Amway convention for MLM? (In Atlanta?)

It is unclear (to me) if he actually went to that convention and then came home, or if he discussed going to it and his wife thought that is where he went when he disappeared.

 

[Andreee]

I think he will be resurfaced as a mysterious person's death, much like Netwon and Ruff. As in, he is found dead, either unidentified or quickly outed as having a false name.

There is hope he will get busted, alive.

Here is a recent case of that:

"A former New Yorker, who stole the identity of a deceased child 40 years ago and relocated to Fresno, pleaded guilty this week to passport fraud. Kenneth Laitman, aka John Rodman, 79, worked as a stockbroker in New York during the mid-1980s. For some unknown reason, he moved to California in 1984 and began using the name, John Rodman. According to court documents, Rodman died in 1950 at the age of four. With a new identity, Laitman was able to get various forms of identification, worked different jobs, opened bank accounts, and received government benefits, according the federal indictment. At one point, Laitman worked at an endoscopy practice. His downfall came in 2014 when he tried to renew his passport using Rodman’s name, date of birth and social security number. Laitman is charged with fraudulently attempting to renew his phony passport. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. He is due to be sentenced on April 29. This case was investigated by the Diplomatic Security Service, the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Barton is prosecuting the case.

Read more at: https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article284355289.html#storylink=cpy
om/news/local/article284355289.html"

Yes I had for some reason not thought of the possibility that he could be found as a UID. If that happened, with DNA advances...

 

[lonewanderer]

Yes I had for some reason not thought of the possibility that he could be found as a UID. If that happened, with DNA advances...

I imagine him being a UID, or having another alias with a bizarre, mysterious backstory that eventually reveals his time as Paul Raymond Harrod.

The head scar could be the key if his is UID.

 

[summergirl1]

Kenneth Laitman had family issues like Lori Ruff and Joseph Chandler, and probably like Joseph Chandler, changed his identity to avoid child support. In Kenneth Laitman's case his family situation and obligation to pay child support was defintely the reason for his new identity.

Fresno man indicted for using dead boy's identity, accused of skipping child support

kmph-com.cdn.ampproject.org

 

[summergirl1]

Fake Paul may well have had similar issues. Kenneth Laitman only didn't get away with it because today it's much harder to get away with than back in the day, even if you've been using the fake identity for decades as Kenneth Laitman did.

 

[Vern]

According to a businessindider article from December 2023, South Dakota is dead last in reported cases of identity theft.

States with the most and least identity theft.

The states with the highest rates of identity theft tend to have greater rates of identity theft. See which states are most dangerous in 2025, and learn how to protect yourself.

www.businessinsider.com

I find this interesting, as both fake-Paul and Joseph Newton Chandler both utilized this (fairly obscure) state as part of their schemes.

The paper tripping big book has a section for SD that seems pretty easy to get it approved:

"SOUTH DAKOTA

If you have lived- in one of the counties in this state for six
months or more, you may file a petition in the circuit court You
must list your present name, the new name you wish to adopt
and your reasons for requesting the change. The court will set a
date for the hearing; and notice of the time, place and reason for
the hearing must be published once a week for four weeks in a
newspaper with general circulation in the county.


Unless the court finds what it considers "substantial reason”
for refusing your request, you will be granted your new name.
Any legal actions pending at that time will not be affected

Information on doing business under an assumed name is
covered in Chapter 37-11 of the South Dakota Compiled Laws.
Changes of names resulting from divorce suits are discussed in
Chapter 25447."

I take that conflict as meaning:

- It's quite easy to obtain a new identity in South Dakota (using your own or a false 'deceased/birther' document from another state); but
- A South Dakotan is rarely the victim of identity theft (very rural, non-populous state that is SD).