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If someone ends up with suspected counterfeit US currency, what can they do with it? Obviously tendering it for goods or services would be illegal.

Handing it in for analysis and eventual destruction by the issuing authority would be the "right" thing to do but the acceptor will have lost that value.

The acceptor has been the victim and is unlikely to see restitution. Can the holder of the fake notes on-sell them legally to recoup some of their lost money?

Inspired by https://travel.stackexchange.com/questions/153780/how-can-i-tell-if-old-us-currency-is-usable and related to Is it permissible to collect counterfeit currency?

Better version of photo from Travel question

Criggie
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1 Answers1

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To avoid criminal penalties in the U.S. (18 USC 473 and related general provisions of the federal criminal code in Title 18 of the United States Code), the suspected counterfeit status must be disclosed, and the seller must be able to reasonably determine that the buyer does not intend to pass off the bills as true and genuine (otherwise there would be potential accessory or conspirator liability for the counterfeiting conduct of the buyer).

Counterfeit currency may be sold as an object, but not as currency or as a tool for someone else to engage in counterfeit currency offenses.

ohwilleke
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