fälschen

Fälschen is a German verb that means to forge, counterfeit, or falsify something with the intention to deceive. It encompasses the deliberate manipulation or fabrication of information, documents, or goods. The term is used in everyday language as well as in legal, administrative, and academic contexts.

Common domains of falsification include Urkundenfälschung (forging documents such as certificates, contracts, or IDs), Geldfälschung (counterfeiting currency), Signaturenfälschung (forged signatures), Produktfälschung or Markenfälschung (counterfeit goods and brand imitation), and Datenfälschung (falsifying data, records, or statistics). Fälschen can involve altering text or numbers, erasing or adding information, creating convincing imitations, or using counterfeit instruments.

Motive for falsification range from personal gain to political manipulation or scientific misconduct. In journalism, academia, and business, falsification of data or results is regarded as a serious ethical violation that undermines trust and integrity.

Legally, falsification is pursued as a crime in many jurisdictions. Specific offenses include document forgery, currency counterfeit, and fraud related to falsified information, with penalties that may include fines and imprisonment. The exact definitions and sanctions vary by country and legal system.

Detection and prevention rely on verification processes, forensic analysis, audits, and anti-counterfeiting technologies. Organizations employ internal controls, digital signatures, cryptographic hashes, and watermarking to reduce risk and increase traceability of information and goods.

Etymologically, fälschen derives from the German adjective falsch, meaning false, with the verb-forming suffix -en, and has long been used across legal, administrative, and everyday language.