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15 September 2004
KEMPTEN – German police have issued a warning about forged euro banknotes that are so like the real thing that only experts can tell the difference.
The EUR 200 counterfeits have shown up in towns close to Germany’s border with Liechtenstein. Police advised the public to note down the name of every person passing out one of the notes so they could sue for a replacement if it turned out to be fake.
The euro cash, which went into circulation on 1 January 2002, was hailed at the time as having some of the world’s best anti-counterfeiting features. Previously police have said forgeries were generally easy for any non-expert to recognize.
The European Central Bank offers a long list of features to check, including not only holograms but also inks that change colour when the banknotes are tilted under reflecting light. Marks on both sides of the notes line up into patterns when light shines through.
DPA
Subject: German news