Image Credit, europol
In a significant crackdown on counterfeit currency distribution, law enforcement agencies from 18 countries have successfully seized over EUR 14 million in fake banknotes and coins during Operation DECOY. This coordinated effort, led by Spain, Portugal, and Austria under the auspices of Europol, targeted the illegal use of postal services for distributing counterfeit currency across Europe.
The operation, part of the ongoing EMPACT initiative aimed at enhancing security and combating organized crime, resulted in the interception of 174 parcels containing counterfeit currency. These seizures have sparked 144 new police investigations into the networks involved in the production and distribution of these illicit items. In total, authorities confiscated an astounding 148,130 counterfeit items, comprising 134,949 euro banknotes and coins, 9,186 British pounds, and 3,595 US dollars.
A substantial portion of the counterfeit currency seized consists of altered-design banknotes commonly referred to as “movie money.” While these replicas mimic the appearance of genuine currency, they carry disclaimers indicating their false nature, which criminals often disregard in their attempts to pass them off as legitimate. The EUR 50 banknote emerged as the most frequently seized denomination, closely followed by the EUR 20 note.
The success of Operation DECOY can be attributed to the robust collaboration between customs and police agencies. Criminal organizations often exploit the gaps between enforcement authorities, particularly when utilizing postal services for their illegal activities. Customs officials played a critical role in identifying counterfeit banknotes and coins, while police forces were tasked with investigating the criminal networks behind the distribution.
This joint approach not only facilitated the interception of counterfeit currency at critical entry points but also laid the groundwork for extensive investigations aimed at dismantling the organized crime groups operating within this illicit trade.
Participating countries included Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Support from Europol and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) was instrumental in facilitating intelligence-sharing, detecting suspicious parcels, and enhancing risk indicators for future operations targeting counterfeit currency distribution.
The results of Operation DECOY underscore the importance of international cooperation in combating the persistent threat of counterfeit currency and protecting the integrity of financial systems across Europe and beyond.
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