Article 11 of the Saudi Money Counterfeiting Law
المادة 11 من النظام الجزائي الخاص بتزييف وتقليد النقود
The 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.
Official text after amendments (Arabic)
Compiled from the original text and every officially published amendment; the amendments are shown in full below for comparison.
تضبط وتصادر جميع النقود المزيفة والمقلدة وكافة الأدوات والمواد المستعملة في الجريمة أو المتحصلة عنها وتسلم إلى مؤسسة النقد العربي السعودي ، ولا يدفع مقابل لها أي تعويض عنها بأية حال من الأحوال.
This is the official Arabic wording, the only legally binding version. We do not translate the law itself; the explanation below is ours. Official source: Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers
Article 11 explained in plain English
This Article specifies the fate of counterfeit money and the instruments of the crime after they are seized.
What is seized and confiscated?
- All counterfeit and forged money.
- All tools and materials used in the crime.
- All tools and materials derived from the crime.
To where? They are handed to the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority.
Compensation: no compensation is paid for them in any circumstances whatsoever.
The practical meaning is that someone in whose possession counterfeit money was seized cannot claim its value, nor compensation for the confiscated machines or materials. The phrase "in any circumstances whatsoever" makes the prohibition absolute according to the text.
Note that the text mentions the "Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority" as worded, and does not address any later change in the name of the body.
This Article was amended by Royal Decree No. (53) dated 5/11/1382 AH to take its current text.
This Article is connected to Article 12, which explains how the fine is collected, and Article 10 on exemption from punishment.
To assess the position of a particular person or to defend in a pending case, it is advisable to consult a lawyer specializing in criminal matters.
Practical example
A person in Riyadh received in good faith a SAR 500 note that turned out to be counterfeit, and the competent authorities seized it. The note is confiscated and handed to the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority, and no compensation is paid to him for it under this Article.
Translated from our Arabic explanation with machine assistance. For guidance only; it does not replace advice from a lawyer on your situation.
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Frequently asked questions about Article 11 of the Saudi Money Counterfeiting Law
Am I compensated for counterfeit currency confiscated from me?
No. Counterfeit and forged money is confiscated and no compensation is paid for it in any circumstances whatsoever.
Where is seized counterfeit currency handed?
It is handed to the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority, together with the tools and materials used in or derived from the crime.
Amendment history
Amendment — 5/11/1382 AH
Official amendment text (Arabic)
عدلت هذه المادة بموجب المرسوم الملكي رقم (53) وتاريخ 5 / 11 / 1382 هـ لتصبح بالنص التالى :
" تضبط وتصادر جميع النقود المزيفة والمقلدة وكافة الأدوات والمواد المستعملة في الجريمة أو المتحصلة عنها وتسلم إلى مؤسسة النقد العربي السعودي ، ولا يدفع مقابل لها أي تعويض عنها بأية حال من الأحوال" .
Original text before the amendments (Arabic)
تحجز وتصادر جميع النقود المزيفة أو المقلدة وتسلم إلى مؤسسة النقد العربي السعودي ، ولا يدفع مقابل لها أي تعويض عنها بأية حال من الأحوال.
More articles on Confiscating Counterfeit Currency and Compensation
- Article 12
The 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.
للحكومة الحق في اقتضاء الغرامة بطريق التنفيذ الجبري على أملاك المحكوم عليه الثابتة والمنقولة أو بطريق الإكراه بحبس المحكوم عليه يوماً واحداً عن كل خمسة ريالات س
- Article 13
The 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.
يجوز للحكومة ولكل من أصابه ضرر بسبب الجرائم المنصوص عليها في هذا النظام أن يطالب المحكوم عليه بتعويضه عما لحقه من ضرر مادي أو معنوي.
The texts are reproduced from the official website of the Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers for reference; where they differ, the officially published Arabic text prevails. This content is not legal advice.