In the first half of 2011, a total of 406 counterfeit euro banknotes were detected among banknotes in circulation in Finland. The number of counterfeits has been fairly stable in recent years.
| Period | 1/2008 | 2/2008 | 1/2009 | 2/2009 | 1/2010 | 2/2010 | 1/2011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Number of counterfeits |
307 | 402 | 286 | 575 | 478 | 574 | 406 |
Of the banknotes in different denominations, the EUR 100 was the most frequently discovered counterfeit banknote in Finland (132 counterfeits) in the first half of 2011, followed by EUR 50 and EUR 20.
A number of security features have been incorporated into euro banknotes for recognising genuine banknotes. Banknote authenticity can be checked using the simple FEEL-LOOK-TILT test described in Eurosystem publications. In case of doubt, a suspected banknote should be compared directly with one that is known to be a genuine. Instructions and guides for checking banknote authenticity can be found on the Bank of Finland website (www.bof.fi).
In today’s press release, the European Central Bank (http://www.ecb.europa.eu/press/pr/date/2011/html/pr110718.en.html) reports on the numbers of counterfeit euro banknotes found worldwide in the first half of 2011.
For further information on the situation in Finland, please contact:
Jussi Kangas, Banknote Specialist, Bank of Finland, tel. +358 10 831 3481
Jussi Kangas, Banknote Specialist, Bank of Finland, tel. +358 10 831 3481
Marja-Leena Mönttinen, Forensic Examiner, National Bureau of Investigation, tel. +358 71 878 6437.