A young German citizen, Rami Battikh, has expressed his devastated state after a criminal in London used his ID to amass a series of convictions that now unfairly dirty his name in the German database. Battikh’s life has been effectively stunted by the phantom record, rendering him jobless for the past four years in Bonn and hindering the start of his adult life.

After a brief holiday in London in 2019, Battikh discovered that his ID card was missing or stolen. He initially brushed this off and got a new ID, only to learn years later—but too late—that his stolen ID had been used to commit various crimes in London, including driving offenses and fraud.

When seeking new job opportunities, the taint of the fabricated criminal record surfaced, preventing him from working at either Vodafone or the local tax office. Battikh has desperately corresponded with the Metropolitan police in London, pleading for quick action as he feels helpless and trapped in this ongoing ordeal.

The incident has been termed a “mess” by a British judge, who noted the significant impact on Battikh’s record. Despite evidence showing Battikh was in Tunisia during the time the crimes were committed, his employers couldn’t dispute the police records.

Battikh’s sister, Rachel, vividly described his shock and distress with a German saying about feeling so dismayed that one’s heart drops “in your trousers.” Since March 2021, various infractions have been committed using Battikh’s stolen ID, including possession of a knife in a public place.

Judge Dodd, who pursued rectifying the error with the Met on Battikh’s behalf, tried to correct the misunderstanding in 2022. However, months passed with no resolution, leaving Battikh more despondent upon discovering more crimes had been added to his record.

Having already sold his car to cover expenses, the 24-year-old dual German-Tunisian national is sharing his story, seeking help and justice. He offered to provide his DNA and fingerprints to prove his innocence but is still waiting for a response.

The Metropolitan police acknowledged the case and stated they are working to find a resolution but offered no immediate solution. Battikh’s situation highlights serious shortcomings in record rectification processes, leaving him in anguish and uncertainty about his future.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/mar/24/german-blacklisted-and-unable-to-get-job-after-london-criminal-steals-id