> paying a hobo to sign some papers compared to using a fake ID
Both are equally illegal in most parts of the world. Intentionally muddying your identity to defeat mechanisms put in place to avoid abuse is fraud.
Contrary to what some people on HN seem to believe, most legal systems in the world don't look too kindly on people intentionally abusing contracts. If it can be shown you signed a contract knowing that your understanding of it differed from that of the other party with the goal of exploiting this difference of understanding, which is to say in bad faith, you are very likely to lose in court.
Some papers meaning power of attorney. People can generally let others represent them by signing a power of attorney. Hobos are people. Hobos can sign papers than let me get money from insurance company that can't price risk properly. Presumably they get a cut, but they could also just sign the papers in exchange for a small sum paid immediately. Details of arrangement between hobo and the representative are none of the insurance company's business.
Both are equally illegal in most parts of the world. Intentionally muddying your identity to defeat mechanisms put in place to avoid abuse is fraud.
Contrary to what some people on HN seem to believe, most legal systems in the world don't look too kindly on people intentionally abusing contracts. If it can be shown you signed a contract knowing that your understanding of it differed from that of the other party with the goal of exploiting this difference of understanding, which is to say in bad faith, you are very likely to lose in court.