Counterfeiting Laws in Samoa

Any person other than the Bank that produces counterfeit currency or offers it to someone else in the course of trading is liable to a criminal offence of 14 years imprisonment.

Furthermore, any person who cuts, tears, damages, disfigures, mutilate or writes, prints, stamps any currency also commits a criminal offence. These offences are in accordance with the newly enacted and enforced Central Bank of Samoa Act 2015.

It is also an offence to be in possession of a forged bank note(s) without a lawful excuse or a proper excuse. Hence, if you are in possession of a forged bank note without a lawful or proper excuse, then you will be liable. If, however, you received the forged bank note and you will then report it to the police or to the Central Bank of Samoa, then this offence will not apply to you. The possession of forged bank notes is an offence under the Crimes Act 2013.