If an instrument lacks a serial number, which crime might you be liable for?

If an instrument lacks a serial number, which crime might you be liable for?

• A. Counterfeiting
• B. Receiving stolen property
• C. Tax evasion
• D. Arson

Answer: (B)

Lack of a serial number on an instrument is a red flag that points to potential theft. The crime of receiving stolen property covers situations where you acquire or possess property that is stolen, and you know or should reasonably believe it was stolen. If you end up with an instrument that has no serial number and you don’t have a legitimate way to prove ownership or provenance, you could be liable for this offense because you’re effectively in possession of property that may have been stolen. The other options aren’t about possession of stolen goods: counterfeiting involves making fake money or goods, tax evasion concerns unpaid taxes, and arson is about intentionally setting a fire. So the scenario best fits receiving stolen property, given the vulnerability created by a missing serial identifier.

Lack of a serial number on an instrument is a red flag that points to potential theft. The crime of receiving stolen property covers situations where you acquire or possess property that is stolen, and you know or should reasonably believe it was stolen. If you end up with an instrument that has no serial number and you don’t have a legitimate way to prove ownership or provenance, you could be liable for this offense because you’re effectively in possession of property that may have been stolen.

The other options aren’t about possession of stolen goods: counterfeiting involves making fake money or goods, tax evasion concerns unpaid taxes, and arson is about intentionally setting a fire. So the scenario best fits receiving stolen property, given the vulnerability created by a missing serial identifier.