# Pretending to be someone? Personation is up to 7 years.

> Cheating by pretending to be someone else, real or imaginary, is cheating by personation under section 416 PPC. Under s.419 it is up to 7 years, or fine, or both, and police may arrest without a warrant.

- Topic: Criminal law
- For: Citizens
- A 14-slide carousel: https://failegal.site/media/pretending-to-be-someone-personation-is-up-to-7
- Published by FAI Legal on 2026-10-29

## Myth or fact?

What people often think.

- **Myth: Using another person's name is just ordinary cheating.**
- **Fact: Cheating by pretending to be someone else is cheating by personation: up to 7 years (PPC ss.416, 419).**

## The law.

Section 416, PPC.

> "A person is said to "cheat by personation" if he cheats by pretending to be some other person, or by knowingly substituting one person for another, or representing that he or any other person is a person other than he or such other person really is." (Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 · Section 416)

## Three ways.

Section 416, PPC.

- **Pretending** To be some other person.
- **Swapping** Knowingly putting one person in place of another.
- **Misdescribing** Saying he, or someone else, is a person he is not.

## Real or made up.

Explanation and illustrations.

- **Imaginary** The person copied may be real or imaginary.
- **Same name** Posing as a rich banker who shares his name.
- **The dead** Posing as a person who has died.

## The punishment.

Section 419 and Schedule II, CrPC.

- **The term** Up to 7 years, or fine, or both (s.419).
- **Arrest** Police may arrest without a warrant. Not bailable.
- **Settling** Compoundable with the court's permission.

## Quick quiz. The bank.

Guess first, then swipe for the answer.

- **A. None, the bank paid**
- **B. Cheating by personation**
- **C. Only a civil claim**

## Answer: B. 1987 PCrLJ 907.

Special Court (Offences in Banks), Lahore.

- **The facts** He impersonated the payee before the bank manager.
- **The holding** An offence under s.419, PPC.

## The fake advocate.

2010 PCrLJ 419, Lahore High Court.

- **The facts** A licence on a bogus result card, then posing as an advocate.
- **The holding** Bail refused, even outside the prohibitory clause.

## Knowledge must be proved.

1989 PCrLJ 380, Sindh High Court.

- **The facts** He introduced the impostor to the bank.
- **The gap** No proof he knew the man was not who he said.
- **The result** Acquitted of abetment.

## Online too.

2018 YLR 329, Sindh High Court.

- **The facts** A fake Facebook identity of a woman, with doctored photos.
- **The law** Charged under PECA s.21 as well.
- **The result** Bail refused.

## Before you send money.

Three habits that stop most of it.

- **Call back** On a number you already had, not the new one.
- **Ask** Something only the real person would know.
- **Wait** A voice or a photo alone is not proof.

## Been cheated?

Ask FAI in your own words. It answers with the exact section and the judgments behind it.

- **Someone called pretending to be my nephew abroad and I sent money. What case can I file?**
- **What is the difference between section 419 and 420 PPC?**

## Sources

- Pakistan Penal Code, 1860 · Section 416: Cheating by personation

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Educational legal information, not legal advice. Every case turns on its own facts. Speak to a qualified lawyer about your situation. Review status: Pending advocate review.

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