Number of fake euronotes seized down in 2010
On 19 July, the European Central Bank issued a statement disclosing that the number of fake euronotes obtained in the first half of 2010 declined by 13 percent compared to the latter half of 2009. In the first half of 2010, a total of 387,000 euro bank notes were taken out of circulation- a small number considering there are approximately 13.2 billion genuine euro notes remaining in distribution. However, the change in counterfeits is surprising with 50-euro notes accounting for 42.5 percent of the counterfeit monies and 20-euro notes representing 41.5 percent. This is a reversal from late in 2009 when 20-euro notes topped the list of most frequently counterfeit bank notes.
Of all the counterfeit notes found this year, 96 percent were for 20 euro, 50 euro and 100 euro notes and were found within the 16 member eurozone. According to the European Central Bank statement, counterfeiting of notes is concentrated mainly in France, Italy and Spain although the most notable seizures of fake bank notes have occurred in Poland. In April 2010, Polish police seized more than 250,000 fake euros and detained three suspects for their alleged involvement in the counterfeiting. However, fake euro notes have also been located in locations outside of the eurozone including a massive seizure in Colombia where 24,000 fake 50 euro notes were discovered.
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