Passport Fraud

The crime of passport fraud is a felony offense solely in the purview of federal law. Generally, passport fraud exists when one falsely makes, forges, counterfeits, mutilates or alters any passport or instrument purporting to be a passport, with the intent that it may be used; or when one willfully and knowingly uses or attempts to use, or furnishes to another for use, any such false, forged, counterfeited, mutilated, or altered passport or instrument purporting to be a passport, or any passport validly issued which has become void.

Most passport fraud offenses occur during the commission of other offenses, including drug trafficking, money laundering, international terrorism, human trafficking or immigration fraud by undocumented aliens trying to enter or remain in the United States. Passport fraud is punishable by a fine and/or a term of imprisonment not to exceed 10 years. A fraudulent passport used in the facilitation of an act of international terrorism is punishable by a fine and/or a term of imprisonment not to exceed 25 years. One used in the facilitation of drug trafficking is punishable by a fine and/or a term of imprisonment not to exceed 15 years. One used in the facilitation of any other crimes is punishable by a fine and/or a term of imprisonment not to exceed 15 years.

Attorney Paul Petruzzi of Law Offices of Paul D. Petruzzi, P.A., has over 25 years of experience defending clients charged with passport fraud. He has represented hundreds of clients charged with, or under investigation for, a variety of fraud offenses. If you or a loved one is facing this type of fraud charge, it is important to hire an experienced attorney.