In force Last amended 2/8/1426 AH
Saudi Money Counterfeiting Law
النظام الجزائي الخاص بتزييف وتقليد النقود
Sets the penalties for counterfeiting or imitating currency circulating in the Kingdom or abroad, importing it, altering, defacing, tearing, chemically washing or partly destroying it, and for possessing, printing, publishing or using images of paper currency. It also sets penalties for participation in or attempting these acts.
- Articles
- 15
- In force
- 15
- Amended
- 2
- Issued
- 20/7/1379 AH
Issued by: مرسوم ملكي رقم (12) بتاريخ 20 / 7 / 1379هـ
Each article shows the official Arabic text, which is the only legally binding version, followed by our plain-English explanation.
Browse Money Counterfeiting Law by topic
Definition of Currency and Scope of the Law4 articlesCounterfeiting, Imitating and Circulating Currency1 articlePossessing and Dealing in Counterfeit Currency2 articlesDestroying Currency and Altering Its Features1 articleResembling Currency and Printing Its Images2 articlesParticipation, Attempt and Exemption from Penalty3 articlesConfiscating Counterfeit Currency and Compensation3 articles
Articles of the Saudi Money Counterfeiting Law
- Article 1The Article defines money in this Law as metal coins of all kinds whatever metal they are minted from, and paper money lawfully in circulation inside or outside the Kingdom.
- Article 2The Article punishes counterfeiting or forging money, or importing, issuing, dealing in, or promoting it, or possessing its tools in bad faith, with 5 to 25 years in prison and a fine, and knowingly possessing counterfeit money without acceptable reason with a lighter penalty.Amended M/48
- Article 3The Article punishes anyone who deliberately and in bad faith alters, defaces, tears, chemically washes, reduces in weight or size, or partially destroys money in lawful circulation in the Kingdom, with 3 to 5 years in prison or a fine.
- Article 4The Article punishes anyone who makes or possesses, with intent to sell, metal pieces or papers resembling the currency in circulation in the Kingdom where the resemblance is likely to mislead the public.
- Article 5The Article punishes anyone who prints, publishes, or uses for the purposes in Article 4 images of Saudi paper currency without a license from the competent authorities or contrary to its restrictions.
- Article 6The Article punishes anyone who accepted counterfeit or forged money in good faith and then dealt with it after learning of its defect, with imprisonment not exceeding one year and a fine not exceeding SAR 2,000, or one of them.
- Article 7The Article provides that anyone who takes part in a crime under this Law, by incitement, contribution, or assistance, is punished with the same penalties prescribed for the crime.
- Article 8The Article provides that attempting any crime under this Law is punished with a penalty equal to half the penalty prescribed for the completed crime.
- Article 9The Article provides that the crimes under this Law are punished whether committed inside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia or outside it.
- Article 10The Article allows offenders under this Law to be exempted by royal order, on the Prime Minister's proposal, if they inform the competent authorities of the acts before they are completed and facilitate the arrest of their remaining accomplices.
- Article 11The Article requires seizing and confiscating all counterfeit and forged money and all tools and materials used in or derived from the crime, and handing them to the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority with no compensation paid for them.
- Article 12The Article gives the Government the right to collect the fine by compulsory execution against the convict's real and movable property, or by coercion through imprisoning him one day for every SAR 5, up to a maximum of six months.
- Article 13The Article allows the Government and anyone harmed by the Law's crimes to claim compensation from the convict for the material or moral harm suffered.
- Article 14The Article charges the Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance and National Economy, and the Minister of Interior with implementing this Law, each within his remit.
- Article 15The Article provides that this Law takes effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.