§478 — Title 18 Crimes and Criminal Procedure | U.S. Code

Summary

If someone in the United States, intending to cheat, makes, alters, forges, or counterfeits fake bonds, certificates, obligations, other securities, or treasury notes or bills that pretend to be issued by a foreign government or are meant to be used as money, they can be fined or jailed for up to 20 years, or both.

Title 18, §478

Crimes and Criminal Procedure — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

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.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 270 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 156, 35 Stat. 1117). Reference to persons causing, procuring, aiding or assisting was omitted as unnecessary as such persons are made principals by section 2 of this title. Mandatory punishment provision was rephrased in the alternative. Changes were also made in phraseology.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2001—Pub. L. 107–56 substituted “20 years” for “five years”. 1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $5,000”.

§478 Foreign Obligations or Securities