Offences involving the making, custody or control of counterfeiting materials and implements

Offences involving the making, custody or control of counterfeiting materials and implements

Under section 101 of the Crimes Ordinance (Cap. 200), it is a crime to make or possess anything intended to be used for producing counterfeit currency notes or protected coins, with the intention that they be passed off as genuine. The maximum penalty for this is 14 years’ imprisonment.

Even without proof of intent to use them, simply making or possessing materials or equipment specially designed for counterfeiting currency notes is also an offence, punishable by up to 3 years’ imprisonment.

Similarly, making or possessing tools that can reproduce the appearance of a protected coin (such as its sides or images) is an offence carrying up to 3 years’ imprisonment, unless the person can show they had lawful authority, lawful excuse, or written consent from the Monetary Authority.