Identiteettivääryydeltä

Identiteettivääryydeltä is a Finnish legal term used to describe actions that are performed by exploiting another person's identity or under false pretenses related to identity. The phrase is used in statutes and case law to indicate that the essential wrongdoing rests on identity deception. In practice, identiteettivääryydeltä can refer to identity theft, impersonation, or fraud where the perpetrator uses someone else's identity, or fabricates an identity to obtain benefits, services, or to commit crime. The concept covers both criminal offences, such as fraud (petos) and forgery (väärennös), and civil cases where identity misuse causes harm or liability.

Common contexts include online impersonation, phishing schemes, opening bank accounts or applying for loans, obtaining government benefits, or signing documents under another person's name. The term emphasizes that the unauthorized act is carried out through the misrepresentation or misuse of identity, rather than solely through the act itself.

In legal proceedings, identiteettivääryydeltä can influence the evaluation of intent, the seriousness of the offence, and the applicable penalties. Proof typically requires establishing the link between the offender and the victim's identity—through documents, digital records, or testimony.

See also: identity theft, fraud, impersonation, cybercrime, Finnish Penal Code.