väärennösbrott

Väärennösbrott, or forgery crime, refers to illegal acts involving the creation or alteration of documents or other items with the intent to deceive. In Finland, the relevant laws are found in the Criminal Code. This offense typically encompasses several distinct actions, including the falsification of official documents, private documents, and currency.

The act of falsifying an official document, such as a passport or a driving license, is considered a serious offense due to the public trust placed in these items. Similarly, falsifying private documents, like contracts or wills, can lead to significant civil and criminal consequences. Counterfeiting currency involves producing fake money, which directly undermines the economic system.

Key elements often required for a conviction of väärennösbrott include the intent to use the forged item to gain an unfair advantage or cause harm to another party. The deception must be material, meaning it has the potential to mislead a reasonable person. The scope of väärennösbrott can extend to various forms of false representation, not limited to written documents. The penalties for väärennösbrott vary depending on the severity of the offense, the type of item forged, and the intended or actual harm caused.