General Information on Counterfeits Of KM Banknotes

The Governor of the Central Bank of BIH, Peter Nicholl, today released further information on the counterfeit KM banknote that have been appearing in BIH. He said that the quantity of counterfeits KM banknotes is still relatively small, despite some press comments to the contrary. "There is certainly no reason for major concern by users of the KM", he said. They are also still concentrated on the Federation KM 100 and Federation KM 10 banknote. For that reason , the CBBH is releasing details that will help the public, shop keepers and other dealers with cash to identify authentic KM 100 and KM 10.

IDENTIFICATION OF COUNTERFEITED BANK NOTES OF KM 100 BY COMPARISON WITH THE BASIC CHARACTERISTIC OF THE AUTHENTIC KM 100

· The size of the AUTHENTIC banknote is constant at 154x74mm. Many of the counterfeits bank notes are different in size. This can be established by measuring or by comparing with an authentic bank note.

· Transparent "CBBH" water sign, styled in capital Latin -Cyrillic letters in continuity, incorporated in the paper of banknote: at front side on the left part, at back side on the right white side (visible at light). Many of the counterfeit bank notes have a simulated watermark but it is much less distinct.

· Transparent vertical security thread within the bank note, with clear micro printing of "CBBH" symbol, Latin and Cyrillic (visible at light). The CBBH symbol is either missing or less distinct on the counterfeits notes.

· Obligatory presence of relief print on upper, lower and side part of the bank note (to be felt by fingers). Some counterfeits have no relief printing and some have exaggerated relief printing.

· Paper: Audio effect of the paper, thickness, smoothness, shine and brown-ochre spectrum (to be felt by fingers and careful watching at the light). The paper of the counterfeits notes looks and feels different to the authentic notes.

· At the back of bank note, the legible name of the printing house "FRANCOIS-CHARLES OBERTHUR" appears.

· Check with a UV device. The authentic bank notes have visible glittering threads of different colors visible , zones, serial letter and numbers). The UV pattern is identical on every authentic banknote, but generally differs on the counterfeits. Only those having the UV device available can make this check.

 

· The size of the bank note is constant at 130 x65mm . The counterfeits notes often differs in size. This can be established by measuring or by comparing with an authentic bank note

· Transparent "CBBH" water sign, styled in capital Latin -Cyrillic letters in continuity incorporated within the bank note paper: at front side on the left part, at back side on the right white side (visible at light) Many of the counterfeit bank notes have a simulated watermark but it is much less distinct.

· Transparent vertical security thread incorporated within the bank note, with clear micro printing of "CBBH" symbol, Latin and Cyrillic (to look at light) The CBBH symbol is either missing or less distinct on the counterfeits notes.

· Glittering reflecting vertical zone on the right part of the front (face) side of the bank note (visible when watched under changing angle of the light).

· Paper: Audio effect of paper, thickness, smoothness, shine and color spectrum of orange -light blue: ochre (to be felt by fingers and careful watching at the light) The paper of the counterfeits notes looks and feels different.

· Check -up with UV device ( threads of different colors visible , zones, serial letter and numbers)

In order to allow the media and, through them, the public to have a better understanding of the differences set out in this press release, the Governor of the CBBH and the CBBH expert adviser Prof. Bilic Esad will hold a press conference at the CBBH at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, 24th August, 1999.

At that press conference they will show the media examples of counterfeits notes and explain the differences. As a media representatives You are invited to shoot these samples and to publish them through your houses helping in that way the public to differ the counterfeits from the authentic bank notes and therefore to prevent their distribution. For further information please contact the CBBH Office of Public Relations at 071-444-785 or e-mail [email protected]