The European Central Bank (ECB) reported an increase in counterfeit activity for the second half of 2007. 296,000 fake banknotes were removed from circulation for an increase of 31,000 notes over the first six months of 2007.
The ECB noted counterfeiting was also up in the second half of 2007 compared to the second half of 2006. However, they went on to say:
… it is still within the bounds of the pattern established over the last few years …
Based on previous year totals provided by the ECB, 2007 counterfeited notes withdrawn from circulation actually decreased compared to previous years.
Counterfeit Euro Banknotes by Year
| Year |
2004
|
2005
|
2006
|
2007
|
| Counterfeit Banknotes |
594,000
|
579,000
|
565,000
|
561,000
|
For the second half of 2007, the €50 was the most counterfeited banknote followed by the €20 and €100. The other denominations accounted for only 12.5% of the total.
Counterfeited Banknotes by Denomination
|
€5
|
€5
|
€20
|
€50
|
€100
|
€200
|
€500
|
|
| Denomination (%) |
0.5
|
2.5
|
27.5
|
38
|
22
|
9
|
0.5
|
All but 4% of the recovered banknotes were in euro area countries. While the reported fake notes seem high, compared to ECB figures showing euro notes in circulation, the numbers are placed into perspective.
Euro Banknotes Circulating since Nov. 30, 2007
| Denomination | Circulation | |
|---|---|---|
| (in millions of banknotes) | (€ millions) | |
| €500 | 446 | 222,978 |
| €200 | 155 | 31,021 |
| €100 | 1,162 | 116,167 |
| €50 | 4,113 | 205,663 |
| €20 | 2,256 | 45,121 |
| €10 | 1,800 | 17,999 |
| €5 | 1,342 | 6,708 |
| TOTAL | 11,274 | 645,657 |
About the European Central Bank
The ECB is the central bank for Europe’s single currency, the euro. 15 European Union countries have introduced the euro since 1999.
Very Hard counterfeit Euro Banknotes. I advise anyone who want to do counterfeiting any currency. Best currency to do counterfeiting is U.S. Dollar Bills. The U.S. Dollar Bills universery being counterfeited. So U.S. Government is too corrupt to deal with Counterfeiting, so it is much safer to do it!