Society

Fake student ID boom for holidays

By Quan Li (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2011-01-10 15:54

Fake student identity cards are thriving as people look to ways to get cheap travel during the Spring Festival holidays, the Beijing Daily reported on Monday.

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Counterfeit card dealers are selling the faux cards in Beijing for 20 yuan ($3) in a bid to cash in on the busy travel season from Jan 19 to Feb 27.

Cards carrying the magnetic strip cost an additional 50 yuan, but that didn’t seem to bother some travelers. “That’s not expensive, as I can still save more than 100 yuan for my train tickets,” said a graduate surnamed Jin, who just bought a fake card.

The cards have become popular with many believing they will get tickets home for the holidays for half price as well discounted admission tickets to scenic spots.

But staff at a train station in Beijing are warning customers they will not be able to buy discounted tickets with the fake cards as the real name of the school, student and travel time will be shown when the card is swiped.

Student tickets will also undergo special checks during the Spring Festival travel season, according to the report. In addition to paying the whole price of the ticket, people who use fake cards will also be fined 50 percent of the ticket price.