Man Gets 3 Years In Jail For Fake Facebook Profile
from the fraud-or-fun? dept
Earlier this month, we pointed to the case of a Moroccan computer engineer who was arrested, supposedly for "stealing" the Moroccan prince's profile on Facebook. As we noted in the post, the original details weren't clear on whether the guy had somehow gained control over the prince's actual Facebook page (which seemed unlikely) or if he'd just set up a fake profile. Further details revealed, indeed, that the guy had merely set up a fake profile of the prince for fun. Given how common fake profiles of celebrities are on Facebook, it seems rather ridiculous to consider that being akin to identity fraud. Apparently, however, the judicial system in Morocco feels differently. The guy in question has now been sentenced to three years in jail. This seems ridiculously excessive, especially since it doesn't sound like the fake profile was negative in anyway. The guy, Fouad Mourtada, claims to be a fan of the prince who just saw the opportunity to have a bit of fun in setting up a profile for him. It's difficult to see how any court with any sense of reason could consider that to be the equivalent of identity fraud.Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
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Filed Under: fake profile, identity fraud, morocco
Companies: facebook
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What if
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Re: What if
"Would going after the person who put up such a profile seem 'ridiculous' to Mike too?"
You intentionally post stupid, poorly thought out comments to get attention, don't you?
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Re: What if
You should at least attempt to be analogous. Your example was clearly libelous. However, the example cited above clearly was not. Accordingly, it would only make sense that Mike would have a different view of two contrary situations.
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Identity fraud is identity fraud.
This case is in morocco not here, if it is illegal there the Moroccan gov’t are perfectly within their rights to do whatever the hell they want with the guy.
Even if it were here, I think posing as another living human being should be should be illegal and 3 years, before probation and time off for good behavior, in the slammer is a fairly reasonable amount of time for it.
Remember this is not someone making up a profile to be anonymous, or claiming to be anonymous (which would fall under protected speech). It is someone creating a profile of a “celebrity” and claiming it as their own.
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Wow...
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It was the Prince
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Re: Re: What if
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Re: Re: Re: What if
In any case, I'm not going to bother name calling with an AC.
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Good for Morroco
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hmmm
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Re: Good for Morroco
If I'm bob and you're dan and I walk around all day with a sign that says 'I'm dan be my friend'... is that really fraud? Even if it was.. a punishable case that does more good than bad?
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Re: Good for Morroco
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Setup the judge on FB
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Clearly the world has gone mad.
Seriously? You guys think this is a *good* response to a fake _FACEBOOK_ profile? Three years in jail??! It wasn't even "Hi, I'm the prince and I like touching small to medium sized mammals." it was just in fun! Do you think there aren't Dubya Bush facebooks out there.. do you really think our great president made it? Should *those* people get 3 years too? What if it was Dubya's relative instead?! (As is the case here.)
Tell me, what if he ordered a pizza to his house and said he was the prince? 3 years? What if he dresses up for the prince on halloween? 3 years?!
Pull your heads out of your butts. It's freakin' facebook. Relax. This is absurd, no matter where you live.
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Jailtime!
Ok, point taken. No one individual can know all the laws. My point is that you should know that if you live in Morroco, you need to know that you're not bringing condemnation down upon yourself. Didn't this individual know anything about his own country?
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Re: What if
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Re: Re: What if
I followed all the links and none of the articles state what was actually in the facebook profile other than the statement by the convicted man that it was done "for fun" (lots of room for interpretation there). As much as I hate to defend dorpus, he may actually have a point. Even if his "fun" wasn't libelous (by American standards), making fun of the leader of an conservative Islamic monarchy is probably not a wise move.
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fake cock, real hen
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Living in a Monarchy
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Re: fake cock, real hen
What a great band name.
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Re: What if
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Bring Democracy to the Infidels
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He should not have done this decrepid act, as it is my life and he is under no authority to represent it. What is even worst, he would use this profile to obtain many richies and women, which should naturally go to me.
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Re: What if
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Re: Jailtime!
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For freedom and democracy.........
Vote for me so that you can continue creating fake profiles!!!
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Re: Wow...
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Dumb
Just remember: never move to Morocco. Maybe they'll CUT your jellybeans if your piss splashes from the water to the toilet bowl.
That for sure got to be bad... really bad.
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Business
In other words, it's not the USA and therefore we shouldn't care. If they want to look like idiots, let them.
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Grammar Police!
...yeah just saying...
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The Truth is Out There
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Re: Identity fraud is identity fraud.
people like u are the reason why the Islamic world wastes half their time delivering harsh punishment to women because they dont conceal their entire body with burkas, why people are beaten for having no beards, while not focusing on real life problems, like improving the economy, and the education systems.
Remember, Its not 1 month, not 6 months, not even 1 year, but 3 damn years, for having a fake facebook account.
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Vote for me so that you can continue creating fake profiles!!!"
Hey John, stop stealing my talking points. I am not out of it yet. Wanna see some pictures of Obama wearing a turbin?
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Re:
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fake Facebook celebrities
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fake Facebook celebrities
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A shame people have to lie to get others to "fall in love" with them.
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report fake profile
http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=sana+sadiq&o=2048&init=ffs#/profile.php?id=10028409 30&ref=profile.
this is ma original link. you can check ma fotoz and plz finish the fake one.. ma original profile email address is sana_las@hotmail.com. am expecting a good response fron your side plz. thanku
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Re: Wow...
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