The term figurehead is an Italian word made up of the word "testa" which means "head" and "ferro" which means "iron", so that figurehead is translated as "head of iron". This word defines that natural or legal person who lends his name or his signature to close a business, assuming responsibility for something, which actually belongs to another person. Therefore, the front man acts by overlapping another individual, lending his identity to imitate the performance within society of the one he represents, allowing this subject to enjoy the benefits it provides, avoiding legal obligations.
This word can have a negative connotation, since in many cases the figure of the front man is used to commit certain negotiations in an illicit or not very transparent way. In the world of politics this term is widely used since there are people who occupy political or public positions who cannot use their names to carry out certain negotiations since they can violate their obligations as officials, therefore they request the services of someone so serve as a front man and thus not be linked to the business, the front man only lends his name (in exchange for an agreed amount), since it is really others who receive the profits.
The figure of the figurehead or prestanombres as it is also known, with the passage of time has progressed, there are many ways to be part of it. Many people are unaware that just by lending their name or bank account for a transaction they are already becoming a front man. All the legal responsibilities of the person he is replacing fall on him, even if the business is legal. In the same way, you must respond to justice if the business is connected to drug trafficking, tax evasion, money laundering, etc. The figurehead may not claim ignorance and must be held criminally responsible for what was committed.
It is important that people who are going to be someone's front man, know very well what the business they are dealing with, since lending their name to carry out any transaction or purchase of something can most of the time be a double-edged sword.
