Rise in counterfeit currency puts cash businesses on alert

A fresh warning has been issued by An Garda Siochana over an increase counterfeit currency.

It follows a number of searched conducted in recent days in Laois, Offaly and Kildare.

In one search was in excess of €94,000 of counterfeit currency was seized, in all denominations.

A 20-year-old female was arrested at the scene but was released without charge and a file will be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

A second search was carried out and €5,000 of counterfeit currency was seized.

A 21-year-old male was arrested. He was later charged and was remanded in custody.

A garda spokesperson said: "The tendering of counterfeit currency is rising and incidents of counterfeit money being posted into Ireland are also rising.

"In many cases, business owners are detecting people using counterfeit €50 notes to buy small items.

To check if a Euro note is genuine cash handlers and member of the public should FEEL, LOOK, TILT and CHECK the note.

Feel: The note is made out of cotton and should feel crisp and firm.

The ink is raised, if you run your finger across the note the ink will feel thicker in parts.

Look: Check for a security tread which will also state the numeral value of the note.

Hold the note against the light to see the watermark and the numeral value.

Tilt: When you tilt the note you will see a hologram which will also show the value of the note.

On the back of the note the colour of the numeral value will change colour from purple to olive green to brown on the €50, €100, €200 or €500 notes.

Check: Check the note under UV light, whereby small fibres embedded in the paper will illuminate.

Each note should have the signature of the President of the European Central Bank.

The value of the note appears in the watermark, the security thread, and in the hologram.

Gardaí wish to remind the public, and in particular business owners and their staff, to be on the lookout for counterfeit notes (not just €50 notes, but all denominations) and if presented to retain the note and contact Gardaí.

Ref No: PR15654/2021.

Note to Editor: A number of images of the counterfeit notes are attached. The first image is a real €50 note, the second image is a counterfeit €50 note and the final image are all denominations of counterfeit notes.