                 TITLE 18--CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
 
                             PART I--CRIMES
 
     CHAPTER 15--CLAIMS AND SERVICES IN MATTERS AFFECTING GOVERNMENT
 
Sec. 288. False claims for postal losses

    Whoever makes, alleges, or presents any claim or application for 
indemnity for the loss of any registered or insured letter, parcel, 
package, or other article or matter, or the contents thereof, knowing 
such claim or application to be false, fictitious, or fraudulent; or
    Whoever for the purpose of obtaining or aiding to obtain the payment 
or approval of any such claim or application, makes or uses any false 
statement, certificate, affidavit, or deposition; or
    Whoever knowingly and willfully misrepresents, or misstates, or, for 
the purpose aforesaid, knowingly and willfully conceals any material 
fact or circumstance in respect of any such claim or application for 
indemnity--
    Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one 
year, or both.
    Where the amount of such claim or application for indemnity is less 
than $1,000 only a fine shall be imposed.

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 698; Pub. L. 103-322, title XXXIII, 
Sec. 330016(1)(G), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147; Pub. L. 104-294, 
title VI, Sec. 606(a), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3511.)


                      Historical and Revision Notes

    Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Sec. 354 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 
321, Sec. 224, 35 Stat. 1133; Aug. 5, 1939, ch. 429, 53 Stat. 1203).
    Reference to persons causing, assisting, aiding, or abetting, was 
omitted as such persons are made principals by section 2 of this title.
    Changes in phraseology were made.


                               Amendments

    1996--Pub. L. 104-294 substituted ``$1,000'' for ``$100'' in fifth 
par.
    1994--Pub. L. 103-322 substituted ``fined under this title'' for 
``fined not more than $500'' in fourth par.
