Criminal Law (GCR) — Title 8. Fraud and Related Crimes

delivers the check or causes it to be delivered to a person who acquires a right against the drawer with respect to the check as a result of the delivery; or

draws the check with the intent that it be delivered to a person who on delivery would acquire a right assignable with respect to the check drawer and the check is delivered to that person.

the check was or purports to have been drawn and issued by a person other than the person delivering the check; and

the delivery was made to a third person who acquires a right with respect to the check as a result of the delivery or for a purpose other than collection.

labor or professional service;

telecommunication, public utility, toll facility, or transportation services;

lodging, entertainment, or restaurant service; and

the use of computers, data processing, or other equipment.

no account;

only a closed account;

no funds; or

funds in an amount that is less than the amount needed to cover the check.

the person knows that there are insufficient funds with the drawee to cover the check and other outstanding checks;

the person intends or believes when issuing the check that payment will be refused by the drawee on presentment; and

payment of the check is refused by the drawee on presentment.

when issuing the check, the person knows that the person or, in the case of a representative drawer, the person’s principal intends, without the consent of the payee, to stop or countermand the payment of the check, or otherwise to cause the drawee to disregard, dishonor, or refuse to recognize the check; and

payment is refused by the drawee on presentment.

the check is in payment for services provided or to be provided by:

the drawer or representative drawer:

the employee of the drawer or representative drawer or an independent contractor hired by the drawer or representative drawer passes the check to a third person; and

payment is refused by the drawee on presentment.

the person knows that the drawer of the check has insufficient funds with the drawee to cover the check and other outstanding checks;

the person intends or believes when passing the check that payment will be refused by the drawee on presentment; and

payment of the check is refused by the drawee on presentment.

the person knows that:

payment is refused by the drawee on presentment.

the drawer had no account with the drawee when issuing the check; or

the check was dishonored by the drawee; and

the drawer had:

other than falsely representing that there are sufficient funds with the drawee to cover the check, the issuing or passing of the check is not accompanied by a false representation; and

the person who obtains the property or services makes the check good within 10 days after the drawee dishonors the check.

A prosecution may not be commenced against a person described in subsection (a) of this section earlier than 10 days after the drawee dishonors the check.

A person who obtains property or services by issuing a check in violation of § 8-103 of this subtitle may be prosecuted immediately under this article, if the person issuing the check:

A person who obtains property or services with a value of at least $1,500 but less than $25,000 by issuing or passing a check in violation of § 8–103 of this subtitle is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding $10,000 or both.

A person who obtains property or services with a value of at least $25,000 but less than $100,000 by issuing or passing a check in violation of § 8–103 of this subtitle is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $15,000 or both.

A person who obtains property or services with a value of $100,000 or more by issuing or passing a check in violation of § 8–103 of this subtitle is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 20 years or a fine not exceeding $25,000 or both.

each check that is issued is for at least $1,500 but less than $25,000 and is issued to the same person within a 30–day period; and

the cumulative value of the property or services is at least $1,500 but less than $25,000.

A person who obtains property or services with a value of less than $100 by issuing or passing a check in violation of § 8–103 of this subtitle is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or a fine not exceeding $500 or both.

It is not a defense to the crime of obtaining property or services with a value of less than $100 by issuing or passing a check in violation of § 8–103 of this subtitle that the value of the property or services at issue is $100 or more.

any person having a property interest in the property; or

the person who provided the services; and

any person with a property interest in the property; or

the person who provided the services.

the person knows that payment of the check has not been provided for; and

payment of the check is refused by the drawee on presentment.

“Credit card” means an instrument or device issued by an issuer for the use of a cardholder in obtaining money, goods, services, or anything of value on credit.

“Credit card” includes:

“Credit card” does not include a check, draft, or similar paper instrument.

the conduct may be considered as one violation; and

the value of money, goods, services, or things of value may be aggregated in determining if the crime is a felony or a misdemeanor.

knowing the statement to be false; and

with the intent that the statement be relied on.

A person may not:

A person who violates this subsection is guilty of credit card theft.

A person may not receive a credit card that the person knows was lost, mislaid, or delivered under a mistake as to the identity or address of the cardholder and retain possession of the credit card with the intent to use, sell, or transfer it to another who is not the issuer or the cardholder.

A person who violates this subsection is guilty of credit card theft.

sell a credit card unless the person is the issuer; or

buy a credit card from a person other than the issuer.

credit card theft;

a violation of § 8-203 of this subtitle; or

a violation of subsection (c) of this section.

In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

“Falsely emboss” means to complete a credit card without the authorization of the issuer named on the credit card by adding any of the matter, other than the signature of the cardholder, that the issuer requires to appear on a credit card before it can be used by a cardholder.

“Falsely make” means:

falsely make a purported credit card;

falsely emboss a credit card; or

transfer or possess:

a credit card obtained or retained in violation of § 8–204 or § 8–205 of this subtitle; or

a credit card that the person knows is counterfeit.

without the consent of the cardholder, that the person is the holder of a specified credit card; or

that the person is the holder of a credit card when the credit card had not been issued.

Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, if the value of all money, goods, services, and other things of value obtained in violation of this section is at least $100 but less than $1,500, a person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine not exceeding $500 or both.

If the value of all money, goods, services, and other things of value obtained in violation of this section is less than $100, a person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or a fine not exceeding $500 or both.

furnish money, goods, services, or anything of value on presentation of:

fail to furnish money, goods, services, or anything of value that the person represents in writing to the issuer that the person has furnished.

Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, if the value of all money, goods, services, and other things of value furnished or not furnished in violation of this section is at least $100 but less than $1,500, a person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine not exceeding $500 or both.

If the value of all money, goods, services, and other things of value furnished or not furnished in violation of this section is less than $100, a person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or a fine not exceeding $500 or both.

Without the consent of the issuer, a person other than the cardholder may not possess an incomplete credit card with the intent to complete it.

A person may not possess, with knowledge of its character, machinery, plates, or any other contrivance designed to reproduce an instrument purporting to be a credit card of an issuer that has not consented to the preparation of the credit card.

Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, if the value of all money, goods, services, and other things of value obtained in violation of this section is at least $100 but less than $1,500, a person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine not exceeding $500 or both.

If the value of all money, goods, services, and other things of value obtained in violation of this section is less than $100, a person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or a fine not exceeding $500 or both.

orally:

in a writing of any kind.

has been issued a credit card number or other payment device number; or

is authorized by the person who has been issued a credit card number or other payment device number to use, disclose, or receive that credit card number or payment device number.

“Holder’s signature” means the signature of a holder in connection with a credit application or credit card transaction.

“Holder’s signature” includes an electronically recorded signature.

“Person” has the meaning stated in § 1–101 of this article.

“Person” includes a business trust, statutory trust, estate, trust, and two or more persons having a joint or common interest.

the person is the holder of the credit card number or payment device number;

the disclosure is made to the holder or issuer of the credit card number or payment device number;

the use or disclosure is:

the disclosure is in connection with an authorization, processing, billing, collection, chargeback, insurance collection, fraud prevention, or credit card or payment device recovery that relates to the credit card number or payment device number, an account accessed by the credit card number or payment account number, a debt for which the holder or a person authorized by the holder gave the credit card number or payment device number for purposes of identification, or a debt or obligation arising, alone or in conjunction with another means of payment, from the use of the credit card number or payment device number;

except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the disclosure is reasonably necessary in connection with:

the disclosure is made to a consumer reporting agency, as defined in § 14–1201 of the Commercial Law Article;

subject to subsection (d) of this section, whether or not the person is a consumer reporting agency and whether or not the disclosure is a consumer report, the disclosure is made under a circumstance specified in the credit reporting provisions of § 14–1202(a)(3)(i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) of the Commercial Law Article; or

the disclosure is allowed under § 1–303 of the Financial Institutions Article.

Notwithstanding subsection (a)(5)(iii) of this section, a disclosure for marketing purposes may not be made if the holder of an active credit card number or payment device number, other than an encoded credit card number or encoded payment device number, has notified the issuer in writing at an address specified by the issuer, that disclosure for marketing purposes is not allowed.

The issuer shall notify each holder of an active credit card number or payment device number of the nondisclosure option and the specified address on a periodic basis at the issuer’s discretion at least once each year.

The issuer shall comply with the holder’s election within 45 days after receiving the holder’s response.

The election shall remain in effect until the holder rescinds the election or until there have been no debits or credits to the credit card number or payment device number for a 12–month period.

containing the reason that the credit card number or payment device number is required; and

stating that the credit card number or payment device number:

At least 10 days before a proceeding in which the State intends to introduce into evidence an affidavit as provided under this section, the State shall provide written notice to the defendant that the State intends to:

On written demand of a defendant filed at least 5 days before the proceeding described in subsection (a) of this section, the State shall require the presence of the affiant as a prosecution witness.

The Attorney General may institute a civil action against a person who violates this part to recover for the State a civil penalty not exceeding $1,000 for each violation.

For the purposes of this subsection, each prohibited disclosure or use of a credit card number, payment device number, or holder’s signature is an independent violation.

In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

“Artificial intelligence” has the meaning stated in § 3.5–801 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.

“Harm” means:

“Health care” means care, services, or supplies related to the health of an individual that includes the following:

“Health information” means any information, whether oral or recorded in any form or medium, that:

“Interactive computer service” means an information service, system, or access software provider that provides or enables computer access by multiple users to a computer server, including a system that provides access to the Internet and cellular phones.

“Payment device number” has the meaning stated in § 8–213 of this title.

“Re–encoder” means an electronic device that places encoded personal identifying information or a payment device number from the magnetic strip or stripe of a credit card onto the magnetic strip or stripe of a different credit card or any electronic medium that allows such a transaction to occur.

“Skimming device” means a scanner, skimmer, reader, or any other electronic device that is used to access, read, scan, obtain, memorize, or store, temporarily or permanently, personal identifying information or a payment device number encoded on the magnetic strip or stripe of a credit card.

to avoid identification, apprehension, or prosecution for a crime; or

with fraudulent intent to:

a re–encoder to place information encoded on the magnetic strip or stripe of a credit card onto the magnetic strip or stripe of a different credit card or use any other electronic medium that allows such a transaction to occur without the consent of the individual authorized to use the credit card from which the personal identifying information or payment device number is being re–encoded; or

a skimming device to access, read, scan, obtain, memorize, or store personal identifying information or a payment device number on the magnetic strip or stripe of a credit card without the consent of the individual authorized to use the credit card.

A person may not knowingly and willfully claim to represent another person without the knowledge and consent of that person, with the intent to solicit, request, or take any other action to otherwise induce another person to provide personal identifying information or a payment device number.

A person may not knowingly, willfully, and with fraudulent intent use artificial intelligence or a deepfake representation to:

A person who violates this section where the benefit, credit, good, service, health information or health care, or other thing of value that is the subject of subsection (b), (c)(2)(i), (ii), or (iii), or (d) of this section has a value of at least $100 but less than $1,500 is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine not exceeding $500 or both.

A person who violates this section under circumstances that reasonably indicate that the person’s intent was to manufacture, distribute, or dispense another individual’s personal identifying information without that individual’s consent is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $25,000 or both.

A person who violates subsection (b–1), (b–2), (c)(1) or (2)(iv), (e), or (f)(1) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine not exceeding $500 or both.

When the violation of this section is pursuant to one scheme or continuing course of conduct, whether from the same or several sources, the conduct may be considered as one violation and the value of the benefit, credit, good, service, or other thing of value may be aggregated in determining whether the violation is a felony or misdemeanor.

A person who is the victim of an act that would constitute a violation of subsection (f)(2) of this section may bring a civil action against the person or persons who committed the act in a court of competent jurisdiction.

The court may:

for clearing the victim’s credit history or credit rating;

for clearing the victim’s record or history related to health information or health care; and

in connection with a civil or administrative proceeding to satisfy a debt, lien, judgment, or other obligation of the victim that arose because of the violation.

Notwithstanding any other law, a law enforcement officer of the Maryland Transportation Authority Police, the Maryland Port Administration Police, the Park Police of the Maryland–National Capital Park and Planning Commission, or a municipal corporation or county may investigate violations of this section throughout the State without any limitation as to jurisdiction and to the same extent as a law enforcement officer of the Department of State Police.

The authority granted in paragraph (1) of this subsection may be exercised only in accordance with regulations that the Department of State Police adopts.

The regulations are not subject to Title 10, Subtitle 1 of the State Government Article.

The authority granted in paragraph (1) of this subsection may be exercised only if an act related to the crime was committed in the investigating law enforcement agency’s jurisdiction or if the complaining witness resides in the investigating law enforcement agency’s jurisdiction.

in a municipal corporation, shall be made to the chief of police or designee of the chief of police;

in a county that has a county police department, shall be made to the chief of police or designee of the chief of police;

in a county without a police department, shall be made to the sheriff or designee of the sheriff;

in Baltimore City, shall be made to the Police Commissioner or the Police Commissioner’s designee;

on property owned, leased, or operated by or under the control of the Maryland Transportation Authority, the Maryland Aviation Administration, or the Maryland Port Administration, shall be made to the respective chief of police or the chief’s designee; and

on property owned, leased, or operated by or under the control of the Maryland–National Capital Park and Planning Commission, to the chief of police of the Maryland–National Capital Park and Planning Commission for the county in which the property is located.

in addition to any other immunities and exemptions to which the officer may be entitled, has the immunities from liability and exemptions accorded to a law enforcement officer of the Department of State Police; but

remains an employee of the officer’s employing agency.

A State’s Attorney or the Attorney General may investigate and prosecute a violation of this section or a violation of any crime based on the act establishing a violation of this section.

If the Attorney General exercises authority under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Attorney General has all the powers and duties of a State’s Attorney, including the use of a grand jury in any county or Baltimore City, to investigate and prosecute the violation.

an element of the crime occurred; or

the victim resides.

sell, issue, offer for sale, or offer to issue an identification card or document that contains:

knowingly sell, issue, offer for sale, or offer to issue an identification card or document that contains:

employers, for use as employee identification cards or documents;

hospitals, for use as patient identification cards; or

governmental units.

A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 2 years or a fine not exceeding $2,000 or both.

Each identification card or document sold or issued and each offer in violation of this section is a crime that may be separately prosecuted.

In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

“Government identification document” means one of the following documents issued by the United States government or any state or local government:

“Uniformed services” has the meaning stated in § 9–901 of the State Government Article.

possess a fictitious or fraudulently altered government identification document;

display, cause, or allow to be displayed a fictitious or fraudulently altered government identification document;

lend a government identification document to another or knowingly allow the use of the person’s government identification document by another; or

display or represent as the person’s own a government identification document not issued to the person.

any part of the county in which the person lives; or

any part of the county in which the crime occurred.

prepare and file a report of the alleged identity fraud; and

provide a copy of the report to the victim.

In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

“Identity fraud” means a violation of § 8–301 of this subtitle.

“Identity theft passport” means a card or certificate issued by the Attorney General that verifies the identity of the person who is a victim of identity fraud.

The Attorney General, in cooperation with a law enforcement agency, may issue an identity theft passport to a person who is a victim of identity fraud.

The Attorney General may not issue an identity theft passport to a person before completing a background check on the person.

a law enforcement agency to help prevent the arrest or detention of the person for an offense committed by another using the person’s personal identifying information; or

a creditor to aid in the investigation of:

A law enforcement agency or creditor that is presented with an identity theft passport under subsection (e) of this section has sole discretion to accept or reject the identity theft passport.

In determining whether to accept or reject the identity theft passport, the law enforcement agency or creditor may consider the surrounding circumstances and available information regarding the offense of identity fraud against the person.

is not a public record; and

may not be released except to a law enforcement agency in this or another state.

convert or appropriate to the partner’s own use partnership money or property;

make, or cause to be made, a false entry in partnership records of a partnership transaction; or

fail to make or cause to be made an entry in partnership records to show the true state of a transaction:

enhance or depress the market value of the corporation’s shares or obligations; or

commit fraud in another manner.

without the written consent of the secured party or the secured party’s assignee; and

with the intent to defraud the secured party.

A debtor who possesses personal property that is under levy pursuant to a writ of execution may not remove, secrete, hypothecate, destroy, or sell the property or remove the property from the county where it was located when the levy was made:

This subsection does not relieve the sheriff or other officer making the levy from responsibility to the judgment creditor for safekeeping personal property taken into possession by the sheriff or other officer making the levy.

without prior written consent in the contract of the buyer or the buyer’s assignee; and

with intent to defraud the buyer.

In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

“Compensation” includes payment based on a sale or distribution made to a person who:

“Consideration” does not include:

“Promote” means to induce one or more persons to become a participant.

“Pyramid promotional scheme” means a plan or operation by which a participant gives consideration for the opportunity to receive compensation to be derived primarily from any person’s introduction of others into participation in the plan or operation rather than from the sale of goods, services, or other intangible property by the participant or others introduced into the plan or operation.

the plan or operation limits the number of persons who may participate or limits the eligibility of participants; or

on payment of anything of value by a participant, the participant obtains any other property in addition to the right to receive compensation.

without the consent of the owner; and

with the intent to defraud the owner.

does not exceed a period of 6 months; and

is for a good or thing with a value of $1,500 or more.

A person may not be prosecuted under this section if within 10 days after a written demand for the return of the good or thing of value is mailed by certified United States mail, return receipt requested, to the person who received the good or thing of value at the last address known to the person who delivered the good or thing of value, the person returns the good or thing of value to the possession of, or accounts for the good or thing of value with, the person who delivered the good or thing of value.

A prosecution may not be started until 10 days after a written demand described in paragraph (1) of this subsection is mailed.

A prosecution under this section does not preclude prosecution for theft under § 7–104 of this article.

If a person is convicted under § 7–104 of this article and this section for the same act or transaction, the conviction under this section shall merge for sentencing purposes into the conviction under § 7–104 of this article.

In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

“Direct loan agreement” means an agreement between a lender and a borrower under which the lender advances funds under a loan secured by the motor vehicle purchased by the borrower.

“Lease contract” means a contract for or in contemplation of a lease for the use of a motor vehicle, and the purchase of services incidental to the lease, for a term of more than 4 months.

“Lessor” means a person who leases a motor vehicle to another under a lease contract.

“Motor vehicle” means a vehicle for which an owner is required to obtain a certificate of title under Title 13 of the Transportation Article.

“Motor vehicle agreement” means a lease contract, direct loan agreement, installment sale agreement, or security agreement.

“Secured party” means a person who has a security interest in a vehicle.

“Security agreement” means a written agreement that reserves or creates a security interest.

the motor vehicle is subject to a motor vehicle agreement the terms of which prohibit the transfer or assignment of a right or interest in the motor vehicle or under the motor vehicle agreement without consent of the lessor or secured party;

the person is not a party to the motor vehicle agreement;

the person:

neither the person nor the party to the motor vehicle agreement obtains written consent to the transfer or assignment from the lessor or secured party before conducting the acts described in item (3) of this subsection; and

the person receives or intends to receive a commission, compensation, or other consideration for engaging in the acts described in item (3) of this subsection.

It is not an act of unlawful subleasing of a motor vehicle under this section if the acts under subsection (b)(3) of this section are engaged in by a person who is:

Paragraph (1) of this subsection does not affect the enforceability of a provision of a motor vehicle agreement by a party to the agreement.

A party to a motor vehicle agreement may not be prosecuted under this section as an accessory to the act of unlawful subleasing of the motor vehicle that is subject to the motor vehicle agreement.

In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

“Closed–loop gift card” has the meaning stated in § 14–4901 of the Commercial Law Article.

“Open–loop gift card” has the meaning stated in § 14–4901 of the Commercial Law Article.

financed wholly or partly by the State; and

administered by the State or a political subdivision of the State.

A person who is convicted of a violation of this section shall make full restitution of the money or the value of the property, food stamps, or other assistance obtained by the person in violation of this section.

Full restitution under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall be made after the person has received notice and has been given the opportunity to be heard as to the amount of payment and how it is to be made.

concealing, falsifying, or omitting of a material fact;

making of a materially false or fraudulent statement; or

use of a document that contains a statement of material fact that the user knows to be false or fraudulent.

“Health care service” means health or medical care procedures, goods, or services that:

“Health care service” includes any procedure, goods, or service that is a required benefit of a State health plan.

creates a substantial risk of death;

causes serious permanent or serious protracted disfigurement;

causes serious permanent or serious protracted loss of the function of any body part, organ, or mental faculty;

causes serious permanent or serious protracted impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ; or

involves extreme physical pain.

“State health plan” includes:

“State health plan” includes a person that provides or contracts or subcontracts to provide health care services for an entity described in paragraph (1) of this subsection.

In this subsection, “business entity” includes an association, firm, institution, partnership, and corporation.

A business entity that violates a provision of this part is subject to a fine not exceeding:

a police officer;

a paid or volunteer fire fighter;

an emergency medical technician;

a rescue squad member;

the State Fire Marshal; or

a sworn officer of the State Fire Marshal.

a police or fire department in the State without the prior written consent of the chief administrative officer of the police or fire department or from the chief administrative officer’s designee; or

a public safety officer or member of the family of a public safety officer without the prior written consent of the public safety officer or a family member of the public safety officer.

making a false representation or false statement;

failing to disclose the person’s true financial condition; or

using any other fraudulent means.

A person may not use, sell, or send or deliver to another, with the intent to induce the payment of a claim, a document that:

With intent to induce the payment of a claim, a person may not use a seal, insignia, envelope, or any other form that simulates the seal, insignia, envelope, or form of any governmental unit.

$100 for the first violation; and

$500 for each subsequent violation.

In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

“Housing agency” means an agency established to administer a housing assistance program under the Housing and Community Development Article.

“Housing assistance” means financial assistance, as defined in § 1-101 of the Housing and Community Development Article, offered for the purpose of obtaining housing based on need under a program administered by a housing agency and financed wholly or partially by federal, State, or local funds.

an application for housing assistance; or

an action affecting housing assistance already provided.

In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

“Coercion” means:

“Controlled dangerous substance” has the meaning stated in § 5–101 of this article.

“Deception” means:

“Exploitation” means illegally or improperly using an individual or an individual’s government benefits through undue influence, harassment, duress, false representation, false pretense, or other similar means for personal profit or advantage or for the profit or advantage of another.

“Government benefits” includes:

“Isolation” means preventing an individual from having contact with friends or family, a welfare agency, law enforcement officers, health care providers, or other individuals or entities without the knowledge of the individual or against the individual’s wishes.

A person may not, through deception, coercion, exploitation, or isolation, knowingly recruit, harbor, transport, or obtain an individual for the purpose of appropriating the government benefits of an individual for personal benefit or to benefit another.

A person may not knowingly benefit financially or by receiving anything of value from participation in a venture that violates paragraph (1) of this subsection.

A person may not aid, abet, or conspire with one or more persons to violate paragraph (1) of this subsection.

If the aggregate value of the government benefits involved is less than $1,500, a person who violates a provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine not exceeding $500 or both.

If the aggregate value of the government benefits involved is at least $1,500 but less than $25,000, a person who violates a provision of this section is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine not exceeding $10,000 or both.

If the aggregate value of the government benefits involved is at least $25,000, but less than $100,000, a person who violates a provision of this section is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $15,000 or both.

If the aggregate value of the government benefits involved is $100,000 or more, a person who violates a provision of this section is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 20 years or a fine not exceeding $25,000 or both.

Each violation of this section shall be considered a separate offense.

A sentence imposed under this section may be separate from and consecutive to or concurrent with a sentence for any crime based on the act establishing the violation of this section.

bond;

check;

deed;

draft;

endorsement or assignment of a bond, draft, check, or promissory note;

entry in an account book or ledger;

lease of real property;

letter of credit;

negotiable instrument;

power of attorney;

promissory note;

release or discharge for money or property;

rental agreement relating to real property;

title to a motor vehicle;

waiver or release of mechanics’ lien; or

will or codicil.

A person who violates subsection (a) of this section is guilty of a felony and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both.

A person who violates subsection (b) of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both.

an element of the crime occurred;

the deed or other alleged counterfeit instrument is recorded in the county land records, filed with the clerk of the circuit court, or filed with the register of wills;

the victim resides; or

if the victim is not an individual, the victim conducts business.

manufacture United States currency;

counterfeit, cause to be counterfeited, or willingly aid or assist in counterfeiting United States currency; or

make, scan, record, reproduce, transmit, or have in the person’s control, custody, or possession an analog, digital, or electronic image of United States currency.

A person may not counterfeit, cause to be counterfeited, or willingly aid or assist in counterfeiting:

A person may not write, sign, or possess a counterfeit:

In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

“Access” means to instruct, communicate with, store data in, or retrieve data from, or otherwise use equipment including computers and other data processing equipment or resources connected with computers or other data processing equipment.

“Public record” includes an official book, paper, or record, kept on a manual or automated basis, that is created, received, or used by a unit of:

willfully make a false entry in a public record;

except under proper authority, willfully alter, deface, destroy, remove, or conceal a public record; or

except under proper authority, willfully and intentionally access a public record.

forge, falsify, or counterfeit the signature of a judge, court officer, or court employee of the State; or

use a document with a forged, false, or counterfeit signature of a judge, court officer, or other court employee of the State knowing the signature to be forged, false, or counterfeit.

the great seal of the State;

the seal of any court of the State; or

any other public seal of the State.

counterfeit and use a public seal;

steal a public seal;

unlawfully and falsely, or with evil intent, affix a public seal to a deed, warrant, or writing; or

have and willfully conceal a counterfeit public seal, if the person knows that it was counterfeited.

counterfeit the stamp of the Comptroller;

unlawfully use or steal the stamp of the Comptroller;

unlawfully and falsely, or with evil intent, affix the stamp of the Comptroller to any written instrument; or

have and willfully conceal a counterfeit stamp of the Comptroller, if the person knows that it was counterfeited.

with intent to defraud another, cause or procure to be counterfeited, or willingly aid or assist in counterfeiting an order for money or goods;

with intent to defraud another, issue, publish, or pass a counterfeit order for money or goods, if the person knows it was counterfeited; or

knowingly and fraudulently obtain money or goods by means of a counterfeit order for money or goods.

knowingly counterfeit, cause or procure to be counterfeited, or willingly aid or assist in counterfeiting a prescription;

knowingly issue, pass, or possess a counterfeit prescription; or

obtain or attempt to obtain a prescription drug by fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.

In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

“Counterfeit mark” means:

“Intellectual property” means a trademark, service mark, trade name, label, term, device, design, or word adopted or used by a person to identify the goods or services of the person.

“Retail value” means:

“Trademark counterfeiter” means a person who commits the crime of trademark counterfeiting prohibited by this section.

is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $10,000 or both; and

shall transfer all of the goods to the owner of the intellectual property.

is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 1 year or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both; and

shall transfer all of the goods to the owner of the intellectual property.

under an agreement with the person alleged to have committed the crime; or

after a conviction under this section.

is evidence of the right of an individual to enter, leave, ride on, or pass through or over any thing or place for which a fee is charged, including a building, ground, public conveyance, vessel, or bridge; and

is intended or designed to be inserted into a box or machine for the collection of fees or given to a collector.

A person may not counterfeit or issue, or cause to be counterfeited or issued, or aid or assist in counterfeiting or issuing a token without the permission of the person who lawfully issues, sells, or gives away the token.

A person may not issue or pass a token if the person knows that it was:

In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

“Service” includes the use of telephone or telegraph facilities, gas, electricity, or a musical instrument, phonograph, or other property.

“Vending machine” includes a slot machine, pay telephone, or other receptacle designed to receive United States currency in connection with the sale or use of property or of a service.

operate, cause to be operated, or attempt to operate or cause to be operated a vending machine by a means not lawfully authorized by the owner, lessee, or licensee of the vending machine, including by means of a slug or by counterfeit, mutilated, sweated, or foreign currency;

take, obtain, or receive from or in connection with a vending machine any property or service, without depositing into the vending machine United States currency in the amount required by the owner, lessee, or licensee of the vending machine; or

manufacture for sale, sell, or give away a slug or device that is intended to be deposited in a vending machine if the person:

destroy the will; or

after the person learns of the death of the maker, willfully hide the will for a period of 6 months.

In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

“Deception” has the meaning stated in § 7–101 of this article.

“Deprive” has the meaning stated in § 7–101 of this article.

“Obtain” has the meaning stated in § 7–101 of this article.

“Property” has the meaning stated in § 7–101 of this article.

“Value” has the meaning stated in § 7–103 of this article.

“Vulnerable adult” has the meaning stated in § 3–604 of this article.

A person may not knowingly and willfully obtain by deception, intimidation, or undue influence the property of an individual that the person knows or reasonably should know is a vulnerable adult with intent to deprive the vulnerable adult of the vulnerable adult’s property.

A person may not knowingly and willfully obtain by deception, intimidation, or undue influence the property of an individual that the person knows or reasonably should know is at least 68 years old, with intent to deprive the individual of the individual’s property.

A person convicted of a violation of this section when the value of the property is less than $1,500 is guilty of a misdemeanor and:

If a defendant fails to restore fully the property taken or its value as ordered under subsection (c) of this section, the defendant is disqualified, to the extent of the defendant’s failure to restore the property or its value, from inheriting, taking, enjoying, receiving, or otherwise benefiting from the estate, insurance proceeds, or property of the victim of the offense, whether by operation of law or pursuant to a legal document executed or entered into by the victim before the defendant shall have been convicted under this section.

The defendant has the burden of proof with respect to establishing under paragraph (1) of this subsection that the defendant has fully restored the property taken or its value.

is an unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practice within the meaning of Title 13 of the Commercial Law Article; and

is subject to the enforcement and penalty provisions contained in Title 13 of the Commercial Law Article.

the paper or certificate is a condition of sale; and

payment has been made for the livestock.

In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

“Drug” means a drug, medicine, or a medicinal or chemical preparation for internal human consumption.

“Prepare” means to make, mix, manufacture, or compound.

ethyl alcohol is usually used to prepare the drug; and

the preparer, or the preparer’s agent or employee, in any manner uses or substitutes methyl alcohol for ethyl alcohol, or puts methyl alcohol into the drug.

A person may not intentionally issue, sell, or give to an unauthorized person a ticket or instrument for the transfer from a conveyance on one passenger line or route to a conveyance on another line or route of the same or a different carrier.

Unless authorized to do so, a person may not intentionally receive a ticket or instrument for the transfer from a conveyance on one passenger line or route to a conveyance on another line or route of the same or a different carrier.

for the first violation, a fine not exceeding $100; and

for each subsequent violation, imprisonment not exceeding 90 days or a fine not exceeding $500 or both.