Article 6 of the Saudi Money Counterfeiting Law
المادة 6 من النظام الجزائي الخاص بتزييف وتقليد النقود
The 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.
Official text (Arabic)
This article has not been amended since the law was issued.
كل من قبل بحسن نية عملة مقلدة أو مزيفة ثم تعامل بها بعد علمه بعيبها يعاقب بالسجن لمدة لا تتجاوز سنة، 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 6 explained in plain English
This Article deals with a situation anyone may fall into: to receive counterfeit money without knowing.
The first stage: acceptance in good faith
Accepting counterfeit or forged money in good faith, that is, without knowing of its defect, is not what this Article punishes.
The second stage: dealing after knowledge
If the person later learns that the money is counterfeit or forged, and then deals with it despite knowing of its defect, he is punished.
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 idea is that the victim must not become a carrier of the harm; someone who discovers he was deceived with counterfeit money is not entitled to try to pass it on to others to make up his loss.
This Article does not state what must be done with the money once discovered; reference is made to the competent authorities for that.
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 grocery owner in Taif received a SAR 100 note from a customer, then discovered in the evening that it was counterfeit. If he tries to pay it to a supplier the next day despite knowing, he is punished under this Article, whereas his accepting it the first time in good faith is not what is punished here.
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 6 of the Saudi Money Counterfeiting Law
Am I punished if I received counterfeit money without knowing?
The Article punishes dealing with it after learning of its defect; acceptance in good faith is not what it punishes.
What is the penalty for spending counterfeit money after discovering it?
Imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year, and a fine not exceeding SAR 2,000, or one of the two penalties.
More articles on Possessing and Dealing in Counterfeit Currency
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.