Forgery in Russian criminal law

This article presents a study of the criminal law characteristics of the counterfeit items. The relevance of this research topic lies in the fact that the use of counterfeit items leads to the illegal extraction of material gain to the detriment of the well-being of others or society as a whole, to a more effective pursuit of criminal goals, to a more skillful concealment of crimes, and to other negative consequences. A comprehensive study of counterfeit items, which are criminally prohibited, will help define the concept and characteristics of counterfeit items, establish their distinguishing criteria from other phenomena, and compile a classification of counterfeit items. This, in turn, can be used in future research to develop directions for improving criminal law and to optimize the means and methods of investigating crimes committed with counterfeit items. The following methods were used as the methodological basis for this study: analysis, synthesis, deduction, induction, generalization, and the formal legal method. The author of the article concludes that only tangible (physical) objects, that is, objects, can possess the characteristic of counterfeiting. Counterfeit items are illegally manufactured items that are substantially similar to the original (genuine) items in terms of standardized elements and parameters, as well as visible security features. Eleven articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation are devoted to illegal actions involving the use of counterfeit items (Articles 142, 171.1, 181, 186, 187, 233, 303, 326, 327, 327.1, 327.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation). The author of the study developed a classification of counterfeit items prohibited by criminal law, which is as follows: 1) counterfeit means of implementing law; 2) counterfeit means of payment; 3) counterfeit means of procedural activity; 4) counterfeit means of legitimacy; 5) means of prestige.