Is Forgery A Punishable Offense?

Forgery is one of the most widely recognized violations in the world and is met with correctional activity in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). “Is forgery a punishable offense?” let’s read. Any type of change, adjustment, or impersonation would bring the activity under the notice of the Courts in the UAE, which could have serious difficulties for criminals.

Forgery As Per UAE Law

In the UAE following laws deals with the crime of forgery, The UAE Penal Code No. 3 of 1987  Section One of the Forgery and counterfeiting of seals, mark, and stamps,  article 211 to Article 215 and Section Two under Forgery of instruments. Article 216 to article 223 Federal Penal Code discusses the forgery of written instruments.
While talking about the forgery of a written instrument, keep Article 216 of the Federal Penal Code in mind which states; Forgery of an instrument is a change of its genuineness by any of the means stated hereinafter, resulting in damage, for the purpose of using it as a valid instrument.

The following are considered means of forgery:

• Introducing a change into an existing instrument by addition, deletion or alteration, whether in writing, numbers, and marks or in photographs appearing therein.
   
• Putting a forged signature or seal, or alteration of a true signature, seal, or thumbprint.
   
• Obtaining, by means of surprise or fraud, a signature, seal, or thumbprint of a person without his knowing the contents of the instrument or without validly giving consent thereto.
   
• Fabricating or counterfeiting an instrument and attributing it to a third party.
   
• Blank filling of a signed, sealed or thumb-printed paper without the consent of the person who signed, sealed or thumb-printed it.
   
• Disguising or substituting the identity of a person in an instrument made to verify its truth.
   
• Alteration of truth in an instrument made for verifying its contents.
   

The above-mentioned points help recognize and classify the elements of forgery. If you are facing charges related to forgery or need legal guidance on this matter, consult with experienced criminal lawyers in Dubai who can provide expert advice and representation. Moreover, forgery can happen in the following ways

Forgery of Currencies and Government Securities

Article 1 of Federal Decree-Law cybercrimes of the Penal Code makes the falsification, duplicating, or distorting of a banknote or coin available for use in the State or some other nation, or government security, either face to face or through a middle person culpable with a sentence to life or temporary detainment and to fine.

Electronic Forgery

The crime of forgery has progressed over the long run and individuals have tracked down the novel and advanced means to dupe others. Article 4 of the Cybercrime Law accommodates the timely confinement of an individual who forges a government record legitimately perceived in an Information System. For some other record, if criminal purpose or men’s cybercrimes rea is available during the commission of a forgery, the individual might be detained or be subjected to a fine, or face both detainment and fine. The law additionally forces punishments on people who purposely utilize such forged documents or are liable for ethical forgery. Article 14 of the Cybercrime Law further condemns the forgery of debit cards, credit cards, or some other method of electronic transactions. It likewise punishes an individual if he knowingly accommodates forgery of debit cards, credit cards, or any electronic method of transaction. The law can incorporate either imprisonment or fines around UAE Dirhams 500 (AED 500) which can go up to UAE Dirhams 2,000 (AED 2000), or both imprisonment and the burden of a fine.