A college student, Yin Hao (pseudonym), found his life derailed after his lost ID card was misused to register him as a legal representative and shareholder of Company A without his knowledge.

In October 2016, Yin lost his ID card and reapplied for a replacement on January 5, 2017. Shockingly, the day after his new ID was issued, an employee of Company B, Wang Lei (pseudonym), submitted falsified documents to Shanghai’s Fengxian District Market Supervision Bureau, listing Yin as Company A’s shareholder and legal representative.

The fraud came to light in May 2018 when Yin was barred from purchasing high-speed rail tickets due to being placed on a high-consumption restriction list. Investigations revealed he had been unknowingly registered as Company A’s legal representative and shareholder. A judicial review later confirmed the signature on the registration documents was forged. Although the Fengxian bureau revoked the fraudulent registration in September 2019, the damage was already done.

As Company A became embroiled in legal disputes, Yin was held liable for its debts as the "legal representative," resulting in his inclusion on a list of dishonest debtors. This severely impacted his job prospects after graduation and led to his bank accounts being frozen. The restrictions were only fully lifted in May 2022.

To seek justice, Yin sued Company A, its former shareholders Zhang Wei and Chen Qiang (pseudonyms), Company B, and Wang Lei, demanding compensation for travel expenses, lost income, legal fees, and emotional distress.

**Court Ruling: Victim Awarded ¥23,000** The Fengxian District People’s Court ruled that Company A, Zhang Wei, and Chen Qiang had collectively infringed on Yin’s right to his name by fraudulently registering him without consent. They were ordered to jointly compensate him ¥5,000 for emotional distress, ¥3,000 for travel costs, and ¥15,000 for legal fees.

The court dismissed claims against Company B and Wang Lei, stating their involvement was limited to procedural checks and lacked direct causation to the infringement.

**Judge’s Advice: Protect Personal Documents** The case highlights the severe consequences of identity theft, which can disrupt employment, credit, and daily life. The judge recommended: 1. **Immediate Reporting**: Report lost IDs to authorities promptly and consider public notices to deter misuse. 2. **Regular Checks**: Use official platforms like the "Electronic Business License" WeChat mini-program to verify if personal details are misused in corporate registrations. 3. **Two-Step Legal Action**: - File complaints with market regulators, submitting evidence like handwriting analysis to void fraudulent registrations. - Sue infringers for damages, providing proof such as travel records and legal expenses.

The ruling stands as no appeals were filed.