Fake Euro Threat in Germany

In Germany, counterfeit money cases are rising, with the state of Baden-Württemberg reporting a 28% increase in both 2023 and 2024. Last year, 72,400 counterfeit euros were detected in circulation.

The number of investigation files has reached 600, and fake euros can cause serious individual losses. In Stuttgart, an elderly man was defrauded of 160,000 euros. Scammers sold him valuable papers and jewelry in exchange for the money, but all the payments were counterfeit. Once counterfeit money is received, it cannot be recovered.

The Bundesbank has called for caution against the risk of counterfeit money in cash transactions.

📌 Banknotes should be carefully checked for watermarks and other security features, and the paper should be bent and rotated, compared with a reliable note.

📌 The use of portable banknote verification devices is also recommended.

Source: ARTI49