Importation, Possession or Concealment of Counterfeit Obligations or Securities / 18 U.S.C. Sec. 472 is a federal crime in the United States that prohibits importing, possessing, or concealing counterfeit obligations or securities of the United States or foreign governments. This crime includes the counterfeiting of bonds, notes, coupons, treasury notes, certificates, bills, or other such obligations. Specifically, 18 U.S.C. Sec. 472 states that anyone who imports, or is in the possession or control of any counterfeit obligations or securities with the intent to defraud, shall be fined or imprisoned not more than 15 years, or both. There are three types of this crime: (1) importation of counterfeit obligations or securities, (2) possession of counterfeit obligations or securities, and (3) concealment of counterfeit obligations or securities. It should be noted that a person can be charged with multiple counts if they commit more than one type of this crime. Furthermore, the criminal penalties for committing this crime are enhanced if the defendant has been previously convicted of this offense or any other counterfeiting offense.