Legend
 Legend    | |
|---|---|
| The cover identity or cover story for a spy or intelligence operative |
A legend is the cover identity or cover story for a spy or intelligence operative, with his or her claimed background or biography, usually supported by documents and memorized details.[1]
Overview
A spy often needs a cover to conceal his true identity. It can be as simple as just the use of a fake name. A legend is the term for a very sophisticated cover. Creating a legend means creating an entire false life.
This technique starts with false names, documents, and addresses. In an internet-reliant world, intelligence operative can rely on a LinkedIn entry, a plain vanilla credit rating, or a dormant Facebook account, all with enough detail to be plausible but with too little distinctive material to make a serious check possible.[2]
Typical cover identities include occupations like businessman, journalist, diplomat or NGO-worker or volunteer[3] While normally used for operations abroad, the concept is just as valid for internal espionage, such as agents provocateurs and police infiltrators.
Some politicians -for example Barack Obama - have so synthetic CVs that their background most likely are cover stories.
Related Document
| Title | Type | Publication date | Author(s) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Document:Decoding Edward Jay Epstein's 'LEGEND' | Wikispooks Page | Robin Ramsay | Robin Ramsay claims that Edward Jay Epstein's Legend is disinformation. |
