Title 18, Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-102
§286 Conspiracy to Defraud the Government with Respect to Claims
Title 18 › PART I — CRIMES › CHAPTER 15 — CLAIMS AND SERVICES IN MATTERS AFFECTING GOVERNMENT › § 286
Summary
Makes it a crime to team up with others to cheat the U.S. government or any part of it by getting, or helping someone get, money or benefits through false or fake claims. If found guilty, a person can be fined, put in prison for up to ten years, or both.
Full Legal Text
Title 18, §286
Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Whoever enters into any agreement, combination, or conspiracy to defraud the United States, or any department or agency thereof, by obtaining or aiding to obtain the payment or allowance of any false, fictitious or fraudulent claim, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 83 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 35, 35 Stat. 1095; Oct. 23, 1918, ch. 194, 40 Stat. 1015; June 18, 1934, ch. 587, 48 Stat. 996; Apr. 4, 1938, ch. 69, 52 Stat. 197). To clarify meaning of “department” the word “agency” was inserted after it. (See definitions of “department” and “agency” in section 6 of this title.) Words “or any corporation in which the United States of America is a stockholder” were omitted as unnecessary in view of definition of “agency” in section 6 of this title. Minor changes in phraseology were made.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $10,000”.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
18 U.S.C. § 286
Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102