How counterfeiting money and excise stamps is punished in Ukraine

Explaining Article 199 of the Criminal Code

Counterfeit money, fake excise stamps, or lottery tickets are not a “joke” but a serious crime against the state. Even if you simply passed on a counterfeit item to someone without knowing it was fake, you could get into serious trouble.

What exactly is prohibited by law

Article 199 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine establishes liability for any actions involving counterfeit items:

• hryvnia or foreign currency;
• government securities (bonds, promissory notes, etc.);
• state lottery tickets;
• excise stamps (on alcohol, cigarettes);
• holographic security features affixed to official documents or goods.

Criminal punishment applies not only to the manufacture of counterfeit goods, but also to their storage, purchase, transportation, or sale—that is, any use for the purpose of circulation.

What punishment is provided for

Depending on the circumstances, the following is provided for:

• 3–7 years imprisonment — manufacturing, storing, acquiring, transporting, sending, importing into Ukraine for the purpose of use in the sale of goods, distribution, as well as distribution of illegally manufactured, obtained, or counterfeit excise tax stamps, holographic security features, counterfeit Ukrainian national currency in the form of banknotes or metal coins, foreign currency, government securities in paper form, or state lottery tickets (Part 1 of Article 199 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
• 5–10 years of imprisonment — if committed repeatedly or by prior conspiracy by a group of persons or on a large scale (Part 2 of Article 199 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
• 8–12 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property — if the crime was committed by an organized group or on a particularly large scale (part 3 of Article 199 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

Why this is serious

Counterfeit money or stamps harm not only the state, but also each of us.

When counterfeits appear in cash circulation, confidence in the hryvnia falls, prices rise, and the economy loses stability.

That is why such crimes are punished so severely — the state protects the financial security of the country.

What to do if you encounter a counterfeit

1. Contact your bank — submit the bill for verification.
2. If you suspect fraud — report it to the police.
3. Keep receipts, records, or photos — this will help prove where you received the counterfeit money.

Counterfeiting or distributing counterfeit money, excise stamps, or securities is not a “minor offense” but a serious crime punishable by imprisonment.

Be careful when making payments, check your cash, and do not accept suspicious bills from strangers.

If you have any questions, have been a victim of fraud, or want to learn how to protect yourself from such schemes, please contact the lawyers at Strategic Advocacy Law Firm for advice.