§ 912
Officer or employee of the United States
Official text prohibited actmental stateif conditionpenaltylegal term
Whoever falsely assumes or pretends to be an officer or employee acting under the authority of the United States or any department, agency or officer thereof, and acts as such, or in such pretended character demands or obtains any money, paper, document, or , shall be or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.
History: (June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 742 (PDF, 39 MB); Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330016(1)(H), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147 (PDF, 52 MB).)
Simplified explanation
It is a federal crime to pretend to be a U.S. government officer or employee and either act as one or use the fake role to demand or get money, documents, or anything of value.