In Illinois, it's a class 2 felony to attempt to misrepresent the VIN number in the manner you're describing. If the dash is replaced legitimately, and the VIN plate needs to be moved from one dash to another to preserve the correct vehicle identity, you need to notify the state in writing, and the change needs to be inspected afterward within 90 days by the state police. Interestingly though, I can't find any place in the Illinois code that says you have to have a dash in the first place, but lack of a normal dash would surely look like you're hiding something. I would imagine that the dash would be whatever is just inside the windshield, holding the gauges and controls.
The VIN is located in 12+ locations on the vehicle, using eiter metal plates or tamper-proof labels, so it won't be hard to catch if someone pays any attention to it at all. If there is any kind of discrepancy between one or more VIN labels, or between the VIN and the license plate registration, you will be arrested on the spot.