Steal another woman's identity…to use Pornhub and contact hospitals (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

A woman in the canton of Bern stole another person's identity, using personal data to create accounts on erotic platforms like Pornhub and xHamster. He has also subscribed to newsletters of two erotic portals and that of the University Hospital of Zurich.

Key facts

• What: Identity abuse.
• When: July last year.
• Where: canton Bern.
• Who: a woman.
• Amount: not specified.

The woman, without the consent of the victim, used the name, surname, email address and phone number of the other person. With this data, she created accounts on several erotic platforms, including Pornhub and xHamster, where she posted explicit content. In addition, she has subscribed to newsletters of two erotic portals and that of the University Hospital of Zurich.

The woman also used the false identity to express her desire to have a child, turning to institutions such as the University Hospital of Zurich and the Cantonal Hospital of Lucerne. He sent several offensive messages using this false identity, calling one person 'selfish and narcissistic' and another 'toxic'.

The woman was found guilty of identity abuse, defamation and slander. She was sentenced to a suspended pecuniary penalty of 3,600francs, as provided for in article 160 of the Swiss Criminal Code, which establishes a pecuniary penalty of up to 5,000 francs for the abuse of identity. You will also have to pay a

Operational details

Identity abuse is a serious crime in Switzerland. The woman used the false identity to create accounts on erotic platforms such as Pornhub and to contact health institutions. This is a clear example of how identity can be misused.

The practical implication of this case is that people need to be very cautious when sharing their personal data online. It's important to use strong, unique passwords and turn on two-factor authentication to protect your identity. According to data from the Federal Statistical Office (OFS), more than 2,500 complaints of identity abuse were registered in Switzerland in 2020, an increase of 15% over the previous year.

In addition, health institutions need to be more vigilant in protecting the personal data of their users. The woman used the false identity to contact the University Hospital of Zurich, which is a clear example of how personal data can be used unlawfully. The University Hospital of Zurich, like many other Swiss health bodies, is required to comply with the legislation on the protection of personal data (FADP), which came into force on 1 January 2023.

The sentence imposed on the woman is in line with Swiss rules on identity abuse. According to Article 143 of the Swiss Criminal Code, abuse of identity can be punished with a penalty of three months to three years' imprisonment. In this case, the

Recommended tools

For an updated estimate, use the net salary calculator and the CHF-EUR exchange comparator.

Key points

Steal another woman's identity…to use Pornhub and contact hospitals

To protect yourself from identity theft, it's important to use strong, unique passwords and turn on two-factor authentication. In addition, it is important to regularly check your email for unusual messages. If you receive a spam or phishing message, do not ignore it and contact the institution concerned to report the abuse.

The woman in question used the false identity to contact the University Hospital of Zurich, which is a clear example of how personal data can be used unlawfully. According to a 2022 report, the number of identity theft cases in Switzerland increased by 25% compared to the previous year, with a total of 12,456 cases recorded.

In Switzerland, the protection of personal data is regulated by the Federal Act on Data Protection Measures (DPA) of 1992, which was amended in 2020 to include new data protection rules. The LPD requires businesses and public institutions to take measures to protect personal data and respect the rights of individuals.

To manage personal data securely, it's important to use robust authentication methods, such as two-factor authentication, and to regularly check your email and online accounts. In addition, it is important to publish personal data only where it is strictly necessary and to use methods of

Check tax deadlines for cross-border workers: returns, Swiss declarations, rebates — all dates in one interactive calendar.

Source: tio.ch