Federal · Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure

18 U.S.C. § 478: Foreign obligations or securities

Felony

What this law says, in plain English

Falsely making, altering, forging, or counterfeiting foreign government bonds, securities, or currency with intent to defraud is a federal crime punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment and/or a fine.

Read the full statutory text

Whoever, within the United States, with intent to defraud, falsely makes, alters, forges, or counterfeits any bond, certificate, obligation, or other security of any foreign government, purporting to be or in imitation of any such security issued under the authority of such foreign government, or any treasury note, bill, or promise to pay, lawfully issued by such foreign government and intended to circulate as money, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both.

Verify at the official source: Federal legislative text

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This page is legal information, not legal advice. Code text is sourced from official publications and may lag amendments — always confirm at the official source linked above. Plain-English summaries and relationship data are AI-derived and reviewed on an ongoing basis; verify with a licensed attorney before acting.