Counterfeits
The Council of the European Union has issued Council Regulation (EC) No 1338/2001 of 28 June 2001, laying down measures necessary for the protection of the euro against counterfeiting; see Instructions and rules elsewhere on the Bank's website.
Two analysis centres for counterfeit currency have been established within the European Union. The Counterfeiting Analysis Centre for banknote counterfeits is located at the European Central Bank in Germany and the European Technical and Scientific Centre for coin counterfeits is located in France. All EU member states also maintain their respective national analysis centres. In Finland, this centre operates in connection with the National Bureau of Investigation.
Possession and use of counterfeit money is defined as a punishable act under criminal law. If a banknote or coin is suspected to be a counterfeit, it is worthwhile comparing it with a corresponding banknote or coin that is known to be genuine and inspecting carefully all security features. If the money proves to be counterfeit, it must be delivered to the police.
In Finland there have been relatively few counterfeits compared with counterfeits recovered in the euro area as a whole. The table below shows the number of euro counterfeits found in circulation in Finland.
| Year |
Banknotes, pieces |
Coins, pieces |
| 2002 |
155 |
0 |
| 2003 |
1 189 |
423 |
| 2004 |
1 343 |
1 644 |
| 2005 |
850 |
2 181 |
| 2006 |
571 |
2 538 |
| 2007 |
527 |
|
| 2008 |
709 |
|
| 2009 |
861 |
|