Statutes: Northern Mariana Islands

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any person who knowingly and without consent credibly impersonates another person or assumes a false identity, through or on an Internet website or by other electronic means or communications, for purposes of harming, intimidating, threatening, or defrauding another person is guilty of an offense punishable pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.

(b) Penalties.

(1) A person convicted of violating subsection (a) of this section may be punished by imprisonment not to exceed one year, or a fine not more than two thousand dollars, or both.

(2) A person convicted of violating subsection (a) of this section a second or subsequent time may be punished by imprisonment of not less than three years and not more than five years and a fine of up to $10,000, or both.

(c) For purposes of this section, an impersonation is credible if another person would reasonably believe in it, or did reasonably believe, that the defendant was or is the person who was impersonated.

(d) For purposes of this section, “electronic means” shall include opening an e-mail account or an account or profile on a social networking Internet website in another person’s name.

(e) In addition to any other civil remedy available, a person who suffers damage or loss by reason of a violation of subsection (a) may bring a civil action against the violator for compensatory damages and injunctive relief or other equitable relief.

(f) This section shall not preclude prosecution under any other law.