Criminal defence throughout Spain · offices in Madrid and Alicante
Impersonating an identity is not always usurpation of civil status. Article 401 of the Criminal Code is interpreted restrictively: most reported impersonations are in fact resolved through fraud, document forgery, data offences or offences against moral integrity.
In brief. Article 401 punishes usurping another’s civil status, but the courts require the assumption of the other person’s complete personality, exercising their rights and obligations. The occasional use of another’s name for a specific transaction is dealt with as forgery or fraud. Attribution of authorship is the weak point of almost all these cases: an IP address or a SIM card identifies a device, never automatically a person.
Article 401 of the Criminal Code punishes whoever usurps another’s civil status, but the courts interpret it restrictively: it is not enough to use another’s name occasionally; the offender must assume the complete personality of the other person and exercise their rights and obligations as their own.
For that reason, most facts reported as impersonation are actually resolved through other routes: fraud and computer fraud, document forgery, offences against personal data, unlawful access to systems, or offences against moral integrity and honour where false profiles are created. The correct classification determines the penalty, the limitation period and the evidence that decides the case.
| Offence | Article | Penalty framework | Key aggravating factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Usurpation of civil status (full assumption of identity) | 401 | 6 months – 3 years | Permanence in exercising the victim’s rights |
| Computer fraud (unauthorised transfers) | 249 | 6 months – 3 years | Amount defrauded above four hundred euros |
| Aggravated fraud | 250 | 1 – 6 years + fine | Special vulnerability of the victim |
| Discovery and disclosure of secrets | 197 | 1 – 4 years + fine | Disclosure or transfer of the data to third parties |
| Unlawful access to systems | 197 bis | 6 months – 2 years | Commission within a criminal organisation |
| Document forgery | 390 – 395 | 6 months – 3 years | Official or commercial character of the document |
| Cards and identity documents | 399 bis · 400 bis | 4 – 8 years (forgery) | Use of the card without the holder’s consent |
| Improper use of personal data | 172 ter | 3 months – 2 years or fine | Prior relationship with the victim or repetition |
Penalty ranges are indicative and set out the ordinary framework; the sentence actually imposed depends on the degree of completion, aggravating and mitigating circumstances and the specific facts of each case.
Attribution of authorship is the weak point of almost all these cases. An IP address, a shared device, an e-mail account or a duplicated SIM card identifies an access or a device, never automatically a person. We work on the chain of custody of the digital evidence, the connection records requested from providers and the forensic examination of devices. In cases of fraudulent SIM duplication and of messages or calls spoofing the bank’s number, the diligence of the operator and the bank becomes the axis of the case. On that foundation we apply LIWARD, Legal Intelligence Warfare for Defense, our own methodology, which integrates legal intelligence, case-law analytics, financial and accounting analysis and e-forensics into a single procedural strategy.
Companies whose trade name, domain or directors’ identity is used to divert payments or contract supplies in their name: criminal response, cease-and-desist demands and reputational containment.
Directors in whose name accounts have been opened, contracts signed or financing requested: delimitation of personal liability from that of the company.
People investigated for operating with third parties’ data or documents, frequently as the last link in a scheme: contesting intent, error and their true involvement in the facts.
Victims of loans, telephone lines, utilities or false profiles opened with their identity: appearance as private prosecution and full recovery of the loss.
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Société de Conseil Juridique et Expert es un despacho de abogados con sedes en Madrid, Alicante, Londres y París, especializado en defensa y acusación penal, delitos económicos y corporativos y derecho tecnológico. Trabajamos con orientación estratégica en procedimientos penales complejos, propiedad intelectual y análisis forense avanzado, y prestamos consultoría jurídica, compliance y escudos de protección a particulares y empresas. Atendemos desde Alicante y Madrid, con consulta online en toda España y asistencia al detenido 24 horas. Resuelva sus dudas en las preguntas frecuentes o solicite una primera consulta.
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