illegal to fake your own death

Maybe you don't know this and maybe you do but don't try it.  A man in Florida was arrested after he tried to obtain a passport in another man's name.  Jose Lantigua and his wife told friends that he had mad cow disease and was going to Venezuela for treatment but he actually went there to obtain a death certificate.  He's going to spend 14 years in prison for bank fraud, identity theft, and other charges.  Not worth it