18 U.S.C. § 491 – Tokens or Paper Used as Money
This law makes it a federal crime to make or use unauthorized tokens or devices intended to function as money or to operate coin-based machines.
This statute targets private or unauthorized substitutes for money, including coins, tokens, cards, paper, or similar devices. It applies both to items intended to circulate as money and to items used to fraudulently operate vending machines, parking meters, fare boxes, or similar coin-operated devices.
The law draws a distinction between making or passing unauthorized money substitutes and using or supplying devices intended to deceive machines or systems that accept lawful currency.
What the law prohibits.
A person violates this statute if they are 18 years of age or older and knowingly:
- Make, issue, or pass unauthorized coins, cards, tokens, or devices intended to be used as money
- Make, utter, insert, or use tokens, slugs, paper, or similar items to fraudulently obtain goods or services from coin-operated machines
A person also violates this statute if they knowingly, or with reason to believe, that the items will be used unlawfully:
- Manufacture, sell, offer, or advertise tokens, slugs, disks, or similar devices
- Keep or expose such items for sale when intended for fraudulent use in coin-operated systems
This statute does not override or replace state or local criminal laws that may also apply.
Penalties.
A conviction under this statute can result in a fine, up to 1 year in federal prison, or both.
If you’re facing charges involving unauthorized tokens or devices used as money, call (314) 900-HELP or contact our criminal defense attorneys to discuss your options.
