Internet Impersonation Outlawed in New York
New York State Governor David A. Paterson recently signed a bill into law that adds a new subdivision 4 to §190.25 of the penal law making internet impersonation a crime.
Under the new law any person who impersonates another by internet or electronic communication shall be guilty of a class A misdemeanor if they do so with the intention to obtain a benefit or defraud another, or if they pretend to be a public servant in such communication with the intent to persuade another to yield to them or take action.
The new law shall read in pertinent part as follows:
“A person is guilty of criminal impersonation in the second degree when he: . . .
4. Impersonates another by communication by internet website or electronic means with intent to obtain a benefit or injure or defraud another, or by such communication pretends to be a public servant in order to induce another to submit to such authority or act in reliance on such pretence. “
The new law was enacted to combat the growing problem of internet impersonation. The bill was sponsored by Senator Lanza and Assemblyman Lentol. The senate bill number is S0453. The assembly bill number is A8252. The new law will take effect on November 1, 2008.
