In 2009, a total of 861 counterfeits were detected among euro banknotes in circulation in Finland. This number was up slightly from the numbers detected in previous years, as shown in the statistics below:
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
850 571 527 709 861
The EUR 50 note was clearly the most frequently detected counterfeited banknote (420 counterfeits) in 2009, followed by EUR 20 and EUR 100 notes.
A number of security features have been incorporated into euro banknotes for authentication purposes. Banknote authenticity can be checked by using the simple feel-look-tilt test described in the Eurosystem’s 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 at http://www.bof.fi.
In today’s press release, the European Central Bank (http://www.ecb.europa.eu) provides an overview of the counterfeit situation regarding euro banknotes.
For further information about the situation in Finland, please contact Paavo Perttu, Head of Division, Bank of Finland, tel. +358 10 831 3434 or Panu Osanen, Detective Sergeant, National Bureau of Investigation, tel. +358 71 878 6771