Counterfeiting and Forgery
Federal counterfeiting and forgery statutes prohibit the creation, alteration, possession, or distribution of counterfeit currency, financial instruments, government documents, and official seals. These offenses are prosecuted in federal court and often involve allegations of fraudulent intent to deceive or defraud the United States or private parties.
Counterfeiting charges may involve U.S. currency, foreign bank notes, coins, Treasury checks, postal instruments, bonds, or other financial obligations. Forgery statutes extend to government records, contracts, customs documents, official certificates, transportation forms, and identification numbers.
The statutes below define how federal counterfeiting and forgery offenses are charged and punished.
- 18 U.S.C. § 471 – Counterfeiting Obligations or Securities of the United States
- 18 U.S.C. § 472 – Uttering Counterfeit Obligations or Securities
- 18 U.S.C. § 473 – Dealing in Counterfeit Obligations or Securities
- 18 U.S.C. § 474 – Counterfeiting Plates, Stones, or Digital Images
- 18 U.S.C. § 476 – Taking Impressions of Counterfeiting Tools
- 18 U.S.C. § 477 – Possessing or Selling Impressions of Counterfeiting Tools
- 18 U.S.C. § 478 – Counterfeiting Foreign Obligations or Securities
- 18 U.S.C. § 479 – Uttering Counterfeit Foreign Obligations
- 18 U.S.C. § 480 – Possessing Counterfeit Foreign Obligations
- 18 U.S.C. § 481 – Counterfeiting Plates or Digital Images for Foreign Obligations
- 18 U.S.C. § 485 – Counterfeiting Coins or Bars
- 18 U.S.C. § 486 – Uttering Coins of Gold, Silver, or Other Metal
- 18 U.S.C. § 487 – Counterfeit Dies for Coins
- 18 U.S.C. § 488 – Counterfeit Dies for Foreign Coins
- 18 U.S.C. § 490 – Counterfeiting Minor Coin Currency
- 18 U.S.C. § 491 – Tokens or Paper Used as Money
- 18 U.S.C. § 492 – Forfeiture of Counterfeit Paraphernalia
- 18 U.S.C. § 493 – Bonds and Obligations of Certain Lending Agencies
- 18 U.S.C. § 494 – Contractors’ Bonds, Bids, and Public Records
- 18 U.S.C. § 495 – Contracts, Deeds, and Powers of Attorney (Forgery)
- 18 U.S.C. § 496 – Forgery or Alteration of Customs Documents
- 18 U.S.C. § 497 – Forgery of Letters Patent
- 18 U.S.C. § 498 – Military or Naval Discharge Certificates
- 18 U.S.C. § 499 – Forgery of Military, Naval, or Official Passes
- 18 U.S.C. § 500 – Counterfeiting or Forging Postal Money Orders
- 18 U.S.C. § 501 – Counterfeiting Postage Stamps, Meter Stamps, or Postal Cards
- 18 U.S.C. § 502 – Counterfeiting Foreign Postage or Revenue Stamps
- 18 U.S.C. § 503 – Forgery or False Postmarking of Stamps
- 18 U.S.C. § 505 – Forgery or Misuse of Court or Officer Seals
- 18 U.S.C. § 506 – Forgery or Misuse of Department or Agency Seals
- 18 U.S.C. § 507 – Forgery of Ship’s Papers or Vessel Documentation
- 18 U.S.C. § 508 – Forgery of Government Transportation Requests
- 18 U.S.C. § 509 – Possession or Creation of Plates for Government Transportation Requests
- 18 U.S.C. § 510 – Forging Endorsements on U.S. Treasury Checks or Securities
- 18 U.S.C. § 511 – Altering or Removing Motor Vehicle Identification Numbers
- 18 U.S.C. § 513 – Counterfeiting or Forgery of State or Private Securities
- 18 U.S.C. § 514 – Issuing or Passing Fictitious Financial Instruments
Understanding Federal Counterfeiting and Forgery Laws
These statutes cover a wide range of conduct, from producing counterfeit currency to altering official documents or forging financial instruments. Prosecutors must generally prove fraudulent intent, meaning the alleged conduct was carried out with the purpose of deception or unlawful gain.
Federal Counterfeiting and Forgery Defense
Federal investigations in these cases may involve forensic document analysis, financial tracing, digital evidence review, and coordination between federal agencies. If you are under investigation or facing charges involving counterfeiting or forgery, early legal representation is critical. Contact Combs Waterkotte online or call (314) 900-HELP to discuss your case with a federal criminal defense attorney.
