Article 3 of the Saudi Money Counterfeiting Law
المادة 3 من النظام الجزائي الخاص بتزييف وتقليد النقود
The 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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
كل من تعمد بسوء قصد، تغيير معالم النقود المتداولة نظاماً في داخل المملكة العربية السعودية، أو تشويشها أو تمزيقها أو غسلها بالوسائل الكيماوية، أو إنقاص وزنها، أو حجمها أو إتلافها، جزئياً بأية وسيلة، يعاقب بالسجن لمدة تتراوح بين ثلاث سنوات وخمس سنوات، وبغرامة لا تقل عن ثلاثة آلاف ريال، ولا تتجاوز عشرة آلاف ريال، أو بإحدى هاتين العقوبتين.
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 3 explained in plain English
This Article protects the integrity of the circulating currency from tampering, even if the aim is not to counterfeit it.
The criminalized acts:
- changing the features of the money.
- defacing it or tearing it.
- washing it with chemical means.
- reducing its weight or size.
- partially destroying it by any means.
The conditions:
- The act must be deliberate and in bad faith. Unintended damage, or damage in good faith, does not fall within this Article.
- The money must be lawfully in circulation inside the Kingdom. Note that this Article, unlike Article 2, does not mention money in circulation outside the Kingdom.
The penalty: imprisonment from 3 years to 5 years, and a fine of not less than SAR 3,000 and not more than SAR 10,000, or one of these two penalties.
The practical meaning is that whoever deliberately destroys or defaces currency in bad faith commits a separate crime. Assessing whether "bad faith" is present in each case is for the competent judicial authority.
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 Jeddah was caught washing SAR 5 notes with chemicals to remove their printing with the intent of reusing the paper. This deliberate act in bad faith falls within 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 3 of the Saudi Money Counterfeiting Law
What is the penalty for deliberately destroying Saudi currency?
Imprisonment from 3 to 5 years, and a fine of SAR 3,000 to SAR 10,000, or one of the two penalties, if the act is deliberate and in bad faith.
Is someone punished whose banknote was damaged unintentionally?
The Article requires the act to be deliberate and in bad faith.
Does the Article cover foreign currencies?
The text of the Article mentions money lawfully in circulation inside the Kingdom.
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.