In essence, forgery is when a person creates a written document under false pretenses. Forgery and Fraud Crimes.Third Degree Forgery: NY Penal Law 170.05. Knowingly possessing money, stamps, stocks, and other documents constitutes criminal possession of a forged document in the first degree. What Is Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument? Are There Any Other Forgery Crimes? Are you following up on a complaint?