A more thorough explanation:

dummy, adj. Something that is not real or genuine, but is made to look like it is. For example, a "dummy corporation" is a fake company that is created to hide the true owners of a business.

dummy, n.

1. A person or entity who is involved in a transaction, but has no real interest in it. They are just there to help achieve a legal goal. For example, a "dummy buyer" might be used in a real estate transaction to make it appear as though there are more interested buyers than there really are.
2. A person or entity who holds legal title to property on behalf of someone else. This is also known as a "straw man." For example, a person might use a "dummy" to hold title to a car or house in order to protect their own assets.

Examples:

• A company creates a "dummy corporation" to hide the fact that they are really the ones behind a new business venture.
• A lawyer uses a "dummy plaintiff" in a lawsuit to make it appear as though there are more people affected by a particular issue than there really are.
• A person uses a "dummy" to hold title to a car in order to protect their own assets in case of an accident.

These examples illustrate how a "dummy" can be used to deceive or protect someone's interests. In each case, the "dummy" is not a real participant in the transaction or ownership, but is used to achieve a specific goal.