The number of fake currencies in Germany increased sharply again, and last year reached its highest level since 2017.
The police, retail dealers and banks in Germany withdrew 72,413 fake banknotes of trading in 2024, an increase of 28% compared to 2023.
“We are witnessing an increase in the number of fake funds, whether in Germany or in the eurozone,” said Burkhard Central Bank Board Board of Directors, adding that in Europe in general, the number of fake euro currencies that were seized by 18.6% on an annual basis increased to 554 thousand papers Cash.
“But this does not mean that counterfeiting operations improved, it is possible to easily identify primitive counterfeiting operations,” Bals added, explaining that for years, the category of 10 and 20 euro banknotes are being traded. “
He stressed that criminals display these banknotes via the Internet as fake money or for the film industry.
Because of the decline in the number of fake banknotes of 200 and 500 euros that were seized in payment transactions last year, the scale of the damage caused by fake funds in Germany – despite the increase in the number of fake currencies – decreased from 5.1 million euros in 2023 to 4.5 million euros in last year.
In Europe, the value of the damage caused by fake money last year increased from 25 million euros to 26.2 million euros.
“If you look at the past years, you will find that the number of fake money last year has become a higher level compared to previous years, but in general the numbers are still moderate,” said Bals.
