• random9@lemmy.world
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    9 months ago

    Can someone explain to me what this #-star passport shit is, or have a link to somewhere that explains it? I just started reading this sub, found quite a few posts that mention it. To me it sounds like the kind of scam where the more money (real money, not their fake iou money) you pay, the more stars you can get - but I want to know wtf it comes from.

    • BonesOfTheMoon@lemmy.worldOPM
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      9 months ago

      A lot of what they believe is not clear on its origin, but they believe the more stars on your passport the closer you have to diplomatic immunity so they think you can’t be pulled over or arrested. Stars on passports are meaningless in the US. They buy 'American State National" passports from a website that also sells moonshine equipment for a hefty fee.

      • random9@lemmy.world
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        9 months ago

        Yeah, I have no doubt that these fake passports are legally completely useless, and their made up shit means nothing to the real world legal system - I just want to understand if they are paying more for more stars. I have dual nationality, passports from 2 countries, and I’ve never heard stars on passport even be a concept in the US or anywhere in the EU.

        • Apathy Tree@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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          9 months ago

          I wonder if it has anything to do with the RealID thing, which puts a star on your drivers license after you verify some info.

          It’s used for domestic flying but not strictly required until 2025. Still a very common thing for people to get when they are renewing - the act for it was passed in 2005 and when I went to get an address change around 2013 it was offered to me but I didn’t have proof of address and had a valid passport so declined.