FT.com / Magazine - First Person: Frank Ahearn
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/babf36d2-548e-11de-a58d-00144feabdc0.html

Short, interesting profile -- reminded me of Neil Strauss' 'Emergency' (http://www.amazon.com/Emergency-This-Book-Will-Save/dp/0060898771/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1248037945&sr=8-1) and a lengthier New Yorker profile on 'chameleon' Frederic Bourdin - http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/08/11/080811fa_fact_grann

Former private investigator helps people "disappear" and move to new lives.

There are three key steps to disappearing. First, destroy old information about yourself. Call your video store or electricity company and replace your old, correct phone number with a new, invented one. Introduce spelling mistakes into your utility bills. Create a PO Box for your mail. Don’t use your credit cards and the like. Then, create bogus information to fool private investigators who might be looking for you. Go to one city and apply for an apartment. Rent a car in another one. The next, final step is the most important one. Move from point A to point B. Create a dummy company to pay your bills. Only use prepaid mobile phones and change them every month. It is nearly impossible to find out where you are unless you make a mistake.

''help people disappear''

An ex PI now helps people disappear.