Legal risks for using fake identity

I know that many webmasters online are using a fake identity for a blog or website, but i'm wondering if anyone knows about the legal risks if there are any?

The most common fake identity is rather tame, such as creating a 'persona' for a personal blog in order to increase the believability of an affiliate blog.

But what about a bit more intense such as creating a website company/service, with a linkedin profile complete with education and work history of a made up name - any legal problems with this fake person emailing and dealing with customer communication? So long as the website user is getting the product/service that they are interested in, im not sure there is a legal issue...

TIA for any opinion

If what you are doing can get you busted, then better be careful with it. I mean building a fake persona itself isn't gonna save you. Get some anonymous hosting for your website/blog. Standard privacy guidelines apply here.

Fraud is often punished with stiff fines and possible jail time (usually, served time is less than 2 years in most US states)

Read up on fraud statutes

Generally, it boils down to intent-if you use a pen name because you don't want to reveal your identity but your experience claims and education claims and others are REAL, you are fine.

However, if you use a FAKE NAME (like in your example) complete with FAKE experience etc etc, the court can find an INTENT TO DECEIVE. That's what lands you in hot water.

Be very careful because in certain situations, not only do you have to pay a fine but you also have to compensate the state for the cost of PROSECUTING YOU.

but what would prompt a lawsuit?

if the website visitor/buyer gets the product or service they want, why would a fake persona (linkedin account and email) get targeted w a lawsuit ?

https://ask.metafilter.com/245913/At-what-point-would-it-be-illegal-to-have-a-fake-online-identity this thread makes it sound ok

If you're planning to do that, better take some steps to be untraceable.

from my research thus far, it seems that its only an issue if you intend to defraud, or claim to be someone else and benefit from that other persons name. but a made up persona in which u are not mimicking someone else specific, seems to be ok