A new periodic series of articles in Currency News™ will summarise information on counterfeit currency around the world, starting in this issue with the Czech Republic, Ghana, Kosovo and the Philippines.

Many counterfeiters use a common method of counterfeiting called ‘bleaching’ to create their fakes. This technique is frequently observed in countries that have the same size banknotes across all denominations, such as the US dollar.

What is the primary reason that most countries issue a new banknote to replace an older design? To help prevent COUNTERFETING!

How many counterfeit banknotes are in circulation? I can’t tell you how many times I have been asked this question. So, let’s look at how counterfeit banknotes are found and reported.

467,000 counterfeit euro banknotes were withdrawn from circulation in 2023, according to the European Central Bank, which is one of the lowest levels ever since the introduction of the euro in 2002 in proportion to total banknotes in circulation.

Many people fall victim to the ‘Black Money’ scam, which is basically a get rich quick scheme. Usually there are no counterfeit banknotes involved, but I thought this would be an interesting topic to discuss.

Established in 2020 to support national law enforcement authorities in their efforts to fight financial and economic crimes and aid international cooperation, Europol’s European Financial and Economic Crime Centre (EFECC) has recently released its first threat assessment on the matter.

Why do so many shops rely on the counterfeit detection pen to authenticate their paper banknotes?

Do you want to hear about an actual counterfeiting case? Well, here is your chance! The High Security Printing (HSP) Conference Asia is taking place in Sri Lanka, 4-6 December 2023. Register now for what will prove to be a most interesting Counterfeit Workshop, entitled ‘Operation Timerbrier – A Counterfeiters’ Fall from Glory’.

This month we look at how to deter the most common types of counterfeits.