False, fictitious or fraudulent claims
Official text prohibited actmental stateif conditionpenaltylegal term
Whoever makes or presents to any person or officer in the civil, military, or naval service of the United States, or to any department or agency thereof, any claim upon or against the United States, or any department or agency thereof, knowing such claim to be false, fictitious, or fraudulent, shall be imprisoned not more than five years and shall be subject to a fine in the amount provided in this title.
History: (June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 698 (PDF, 39 MB); Pub. L. 99–562, §7, Oct. 27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3169 (PDF, 2.8 MB).)
Simplified explanation
It is a federal crime to make or submit a claim against the U.S. government, or any of its departments or agencies, knowing the claim is false, fake, or fraudulent. This includes claims made to civilian or military officials.