James Watt, 26, from Indianapolis, was sentenced to three years of probation on February 5, 2025, after being convicted of producing fake identification documents and money laundering. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana, reported that Watt worked for a website selling counterfeit driver’s licenses between March 2019 and February 2023.
The site, which marketed itself as “Your #1 Trusted Source for Fake IDs,” enabled customers to pay for the fraudulent documents mostly using Bitcoin. Over the span of four years, Watt manufactured more than 30,000 fake IDs.
Watt’s role in the operation involved creating the counterfeit IDs after customers uploaded their photos and provided addresses. He then mailed the IDs using U.S. Postal Service drop boxes across Indianapolis. In return, Watt was paid more than 14 Bitcoin for his services, valued at approximately $1.3 million as of January 2025.
While many of the counterfeit IDs were purchased by underage college students, others were bought by adults, raising concerns about their potential use for illegal activities. John E. Childress, Acting U.S. Attorney, remarked that Watt “essentially ran a one-man BMV,” producing thousands of fake IDs while evading detection.
Despite not operating the website, Watt’s technical skills were pivotal in creating the high-quality fake identifications, leading to his criminal conviction. His case highlights the growing issue of online identity fraud and money laundering linked to digital currencies.