The situation: Someone asks a foreign resident to register a SIM card, bank account or app account in his name, or to lend an account registered under his real name, claiming he cannot register one himself. The resident agrees as a favour, and the account is then used in a scam or suspicious transfers.
Applicable law: Under the Cybersecurity Law, SIMs and online accounts are linked to the holder's real name at registration, and the named holder is responsible for the activity tied to them. Lending one's identity or registering accounts for others may be a violation and expose the holder to liability.
Typical outcome: The resident finds his name linked to fraudulent activity, becomes subject to investigation, may have accounts frozen, and bears legal consequences — even if he did not personally carry out the scam.
· Awareness case
Lending a Real-Name Account Brings Liability · Yalla China
🤝 Governing law: 网络安全法 / Cybersecurity Law
A foreign resident lets someone use a SIM or account registered in his real name, or registers one for a stranger 'as a favour'; it is misused in a scam and exposes him to investigation and liability.
Illustrative, general educational examples — not real specific facts and not legal advice; for awareness only. For an actual situation, consult a licensed lawyer.
🎓 The lesson / takeaway
Lesson: Real-name registration ties every online activity to you. Never register SIMs or accounts for others, and never lend your identity or accounts to anyone for any reason. Liability falls on the named holder, and you could bear the consequences of a crime you did not commit.
🕒 Updated: 16 March 2026