Key Provisions:
Falsification and Use of Documents (Art. 476-479 Codice Penale):
- The
Italian Penal Code criminalizes the forgery of public, state, or
authenticated private documents. This includes making or using false
documents. Severe penalties are prescribed for those who create or use
such documents with the intent to deceive.
Possession of Equipment for Producing Fake Documents (Art. 497 Codice Penale):
- It is a criminal offense to possess any equipment intended exclusively for the production of false public or private documents.
Identity Fraud (Art. 494 Codice Penale):
- The
Penal Code also covers the impersonation of someone else by using their
personal data or documents to commit further crimes or to deceive
others, which is punishable under Italian law.
Penalties:
The
penalties for these offenses can range from monetary fines to several
years in prison, depending on the severity of the act and the specific
circumstances, such as the intent to commit further crimes using the
falsified documents. Being in possession of fake IDs alone does not
appear to warrant prosecution
if there is no intent to deceive, procure advantage or cause harm.
These
laws are part of Italy's broader efforts to maintain the integrity of
personal and public documentation and to combat fraud and related
criminal activities effectively.
For the most accurate and
comprehensive information, legal professionals and individuals should
consult the latest version of the "Codice Penale Italiano" available
through official sources like the Gazzetta Ufficiale or legal databases
such as Altalex and WIPO Lex.