Legal Definitions - forger

A forger is an individual who creates a false document, object, or signature, or who modifies an existing one, with the specific intention of deceiving others into believing it is genuine. The core element of forgery is the intent to mislead someone about the authenticity or origin of an item, often for personal gain or to cause harm.

Here are some examples illustrating what a forger does:

• Altering a Financial Document: Imagine an employee who receives a company check for $250. They skillfully change the numbers and written amount on the check to read $2,500 before attempting to deposit it into their personal bank account.

  Explanation: This person is a forger because they intentionally altered a genuine financial document (the check) to misrepresent its value, aiming to defraud the company and the bank. Their intent to deceive about the check's true amount makes them a forger.

• Creating a Counterfeit Collectible: A skilled artisan produces a highly convincing replica of a rare, antique baseball card, complete with artificial aging and wear. They then try to sell this fake card to a collector, claiming it is an authentic original from the early 20th century, knowing it is not.

  Explanation: The artisan acts as a forger by creating a convincing imitation of a valuable collectible and presenting it as genuine. Their clear purpose is to deceive a buyer into believing the fake item is real, often for significant financial gain.

• Producing a Fake Official Credential: An individual, who did not graduate from a university, uses graphic design software to create a counterfeit diploma and transcript from a prestigious institution. They then present these fake documents to a potential employer as proof of their academic qualifications.

  Explanation: By creating counterfeit official documents (the diploma and transcript) and using them to falsely represent their educational background, this person is a forger. Their intent is to deceive employers about their credentials to secure a job or other benefit.