Indian Penal Code, 1860
Indian Penal Code, 1860
XVII · Section 416

Cheating by personation

Synced on 04 Jul 2026Text as per India Code

A person is said to “cheat by personation” if he cheats by pretending to be some other person, or by knowingly substituting one person for or another, or representing that he or any other person is a person other than he or such other person really is.

Explanation.—The offence is committed whether the individual personated is a real or imaginary person.

Illustrations

(a) A cheats by pretending to be a certain rich banker of the same name. A cheats by personation.

(b) A cheats by pretending to be B, a person who is deceased. A cheats by personation.

Judgments on Section 416