In Joseph Cox's book Dark Wire, he changes some individuals' names for various reasons.
These include protecting witnesses identified in police reports, honoring NDAs signed with criminal organizations, and safeguarding fugitives.
Cox prioritizes security, acknowledging potential risks in revealing identities even with corroborated information.
He also mentions instances where he couldn't fully pursue leads, like a supposed corrupt worker in an energy drink factory, due to reporting limitations.
“In the not too distant future, I will be a very old man, and maybe I won't be able to spend all day talking to drug traffickers. I will be mentally and physically exhausted. So I will doggedly pursue the story right now while I can.”