German man struggles to find work after ID theft

A young German man is facing a serious issue after a London criminal used his stolen ID. Rami Battikh, 24, claims this has ruined his life. He is now blacklisted from getting a job in Germany because of a criminal record linked to the ID theft. Battikh's ordeal began in 2019 after a holiday in London, where he lost his ID card. He applied for a new one and later completed his vocational training at Vodafone in Bonn. When he applied for jobs, he was shocked to find he had a criminal record for offenses committed by someone else using his ID. Despite having proof that he was abroad during the crimes, employers were reluctant to believe him without official confirmation. His sister described his distress, saying it felt like his heart dropped in fear. The problems began in March 2021 when another man was sentenced for crimes committed with Battikh’s stolen ID. A retired judge in London acknowledged the mix-up but attempts to clear Battikh's name have not succeeded. Since then, more offenses have been added to his record. Battikh expressed disbelief that his name remains associated with these crimes despite the confirmation of his innocence. He wrote to the Metropolitan Police multiple times but has seen no resolution. Battikh is losing hope as he struggles to find work. He even offered to provide fingerprints to prove his identity. The Metropolitan Police said they are aware of the case and are working to resolve it, but Battikh remains in distress over the long wait.