Uttering counterfeit obligations or securities
Official text prohibited actmental stateif conditionpenaltylegal term
Whoever, with intent to defraud, passes, utters, publishes, or sells, or to pass, utter, publish, or sell, or with like intent brings into the United States or keeps in possession or conceals any falsely made, forged, counterfeited, or altered obligation or other security of the United States, shall be or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both.
History: (June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 705 (PDF, 39 MB); Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330016(1)(K), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147 (PDF, 52 MB); Pub. L. 107–56, title III, §374(c), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 340.)
Simplified explanation
It is a federal crime to pass off, sell, or use fake or altered U.S. money or securities, or to try to, with intent to defraud. It is also a crime to bring such fakes into the country or keep or hide them with that intent.