It will include not only the direct manufacture and introduction of counterfeit money into circulation, as provided for in the legislation in force today, but also the import, export, storage and transportation of counterfeit money, if this is for the purpose of putting it into circulation.
Today, these actions are defined as preparation for a crime, which implies a more lenient punishment.
According to the developers of the draft amendments and additions proposed to the Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code, this reduces the preventive nature of the measure. The document was prepared by the Ministry of Justice.
Who else will fall under criminal liability
As Logos Press noted earlier, in the context of updating the legislation, criminal liability is introduced for the storage, manufacture, import and export of equipment, software, holograms, watermarks and other security elements for the manufacture of counterfeit money.
Today such actions are considered preparation for counterfeiting. The developers propose to make them a separate offense.
Stricter liability is envisaged in cases where they are committed by or in the interests of an organized criminal group.
Also, the production and introduction into circulation of banknotes produced in violation of the issuance regime will be considered as criminal offenses.
In particular, when equipment and materials are used to issue money without observing the quotas, permits and conditions established by law. Abuse of the infrastructure of printing houses or mints will also be considered criminal.
It is also proposed to penalize persons who received counterfeit money without knowing about it, but then passed it on. For them, the draft provides for more lenient sanctions.
For individuals, a fine from 1000 u.u. to 1500 u.u. or imprisonment from 1 to 5 years is proposed. For legal entities – a fine and a ban on certain activities.
This practice is in force in several European countries, including Romania.
