R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-9.1-6: Transfer of bill of lading for goods not in control of carrier.

Any person who, with intent to deceive, negotiates or transfers for value a bill of lading knowing that any or all of the goods which, by the terms of the bill, appear to have been received for transportation by the carrier which issued the bill of lading, are not in the possession or control of the carrier, or of a connecting carrier, without disclosing this fact, shall be guilty of a crime, and upon conviction shall be punished for each offense by imprisonment not exceeding five (5) years, or by a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars ($5,000), or both.