Is forgery a Federal crime?
Forgery has been a concern for countless years, with criminals posing as legitimate individuals to scam others out of valuable properties, money, or recognition. In the United States, forgery is covered under federal law, just like many other criminal statutes. In this article, we will delve into what constitutes forgery, explain its legal implications, and provide examples of its instances.
What is Forged?
forged refers to altered or created documents, products, or other valuable information without the owner’s legitimate permission. This act involves tampering with the authenticity, authority, or accuracy of an item, thereby posing as a genuine original product.
Examples of Frequently Forged Items:
- Documents: Social Security cards, identification (ID) cards, medical records, diplomas
- Currency and Banking Materials: Checks, passports, credit cards
- Art and Cultural Entities: Paintings, fine art, antiques
Is Forged Under Federal Law?
Contents
**Short answer: Yes**
In short, forgery can become a federal crime depending upon the circumstances. Under American federal law, it usually requires the forgery has crossed state boundaries, involves the illegal transportation of forged materials for commercial purposes, or entails the forgery or altering of documents and credentials of the United States itself. The term"Forgery" in (Title 18 of US Code, Section 17) defines the Federal legislation of forgery by specifying that "a reproduction of a document in all substantial respects" to satisfy legal requirements for evidence with no intention to serve purposes intended by the legislation which led to the legal procedures to be performed upon their validity.**
**Examples of the types of forgeries with a federal angle** are listed below:
- International Transactions: Forging a country’s currency or commercial instrument (e.g. money laundering, foreign export or import of counterfit products)
- Fake Diplomas: Offering higher education credentials or licenses abroad, or falsifying public documents
- State Identity Documents: Fraud, for example, passport documentation and identification
- Counterfeit Product Smuggling: Trafficking synthetic materials, currency or counterfit goods between a foreign country and United
