Article 4 of the Saudi Money Counterfeiting Law
المادة 4 من النظام الجزائي الخاص بتزييف وتقليد النقود
The 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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
كل من صنع أو حاز ، بقصد البيع لأغراض ثقافية، أو صناعية، أو تجارية قطعاً معدنية ، أو أوراقاً مشابهة في مظهرها للعملة المتداولة نظاماً في المملكة العربية السعودية، وكان من شأن هذه المشابهة إيقاع الجمهور في الغلط، يعاقب بالسجن لمدة لا تزيد عن سنة واحدة وبغرامة لا تتجاوز ألفي 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 4 explained in plain English
This Article deals with a situation different from counterfeiting: making things that resemble the currency without intent to counterfeit, but which may deceive people.
The act: making or possessing metal pieces or papers that resemble in appearance the currency lawfully in circulation in the Kingdom.
The intent: that this be with intent to sell for cultural, industrial, or commercial purposes.
The essential condition: that the resemblance be likely to mislead the public. The criterion is the item's ability to deceive ordinary people into thinking it is real currency, not the mere existence of a similarity.
The penalty: imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year, and a fine not exceeding SAR 2,000, or one of these two penalties.
The practical meaning is that whoever makes or sells products bearing the shape of the riyal, such as toy money or promotional materials, needs to make sure they do not resemble real currency to the point of misleading people. Article 5 deals with a related case, namely printing or publishing images of paper currency for the same purposes without a license.
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 store in Dammam printed papers resembling the SAR 100 note in the same size and colors to sell as toys, and some vendors were confused and accepted them. Because the resemblance is likely to mislead the public, the store owner may be punished 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 4 of the Saudi Money Counterfeiting Law
Is a seller of toy money resembling the riyal punished?
If he made or possessed it with intent to sell and its resemblance to the currency is likely to mislead the public, he is punished by imprisonment up to one year and a fine up to SAR 2,000, or one of them.
Is every similarity to the currency prohibited?
The Article requires that the resemblance be likely to mislead the public.
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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.