The Number of Counterfeited KM Banknotes in Circulation Has Not Increased

The Central Bank of Bosnia and Herzegovina (CBBH) wants to inform BH public that the number of recorded cases of counterfeiting of Convertible Mark banknotes has not significantly increased.

Namely, from January 1 until August 29, 2005, the CBBH has registered 987 pieces of counterfeited Convertible Mark banknotes, that is, one counterfeited banknote comes on approximately 100.000 regular banknotes. With this, we should also consider the fact that a certain number of counterfeited banknotes was discovered even before they were put into circulation, as well as the fact that all discovered banknotes could not be in circulation at the same time, so we are getting even smaller percentage of counterfeited banknotes in circulation. The a.m. number does not deviate from the average number of recorded counterfeits over the previous years. In 2004, there were 1461 counterfeited KM banknotes recorded, that is, 1561 in 2003. Looking through the denomination structure, the banknote which was most often subject to counterfeiting in 2005 was 10 KM banknote, which takes 42, 15% of share of all recorded cases of counterfeiting. It is followed by the 50 KM banknote, which takes 29, 99% of the share and 200 KM banknote which was subject of counterfeiting in 12, 87% of cases.

In majority of cases, counterfeits were printed by using the color computer printer and color photocopy machines. Expertise have shown that there is a large number of different types of counterfeiting and that none of counterfeiting methods is dominant to the extent which could point out the existence of some form of organized printing of a large number of counterfeited banknotes in BH.

Counterfeited banknotes which were subject of the expert analysis in the CBBH were medium and lower quality, which means that these banknotes can be easily recognized with the knowledge about the basic security elements.

According to the Law, the CBBH is responsible for printing of banknotes and producing of coins of Convertible Mark, their putting into circulation and it takes care of the quality of currency in circulation. The CBBH is providing the expert opinion on banknotes on the basis of demands of the various subjects, among others of the Prosecutor's Office of BH and Police. The CBBH highly appreciates the effort which the Prosecutor's Office of BH and Police forces are investing in order to combat money counterfeiting and stresses that all of its technical capacities and experts are available anytime in order to join forces to prevent this sort of criminal activity and to have those responsible discovered and punished on time.

Public Relations Section