The number of counterfeit banknotes in Russia has fallen to a minimum
In 2024, the level of counterfeiting in Russia has reached its lowest level in recent years: there is only one counterfeit per 1 million banknotes in circulation. Banknotes with denominations of 5000 and 1000 rubles are most often counterfeited. Izvestia" found out why counterfeiters "cooled down to money", what to do when counterfeit banknotes are detected, and how to act if you are "taken" with a counterfeit at the cash register in a store.
Digital circuit
In Russia, the level of counterfeiting last year reached its lowest level in recent years: one counterfeit bill per 1 million banknotes in circulation, the Central Bank of Russia said.
As specified by the regulator, a total of 8,240 counterfeit Russian banknotes and coins were detected in the banking system in 2024. Mostly counterfeit banknotes of denominations of 5000 rubles (64% of all counterfeits) and 1000 rubles (27%). In addition, more than 1,500 counterfeit banknotes of foreign countries were detected.
The obvious reason for the reduction in the volume of counterfeit money is a sharp decline in cash payments. According to the Central Bank, in the first half of 2024, the volume of cash in circulation decreased by 570.3 billion rubles. This is the maximum figure since 2015, when the volume of cash for half a year decreased by 1.2 trillion rubles. At the end of 2024, the share of non-cash payments is estimated at 85%, and of course, it will grow.
As a result of "non-cash" trends, the field of activity for counterfeit banknote producers has sharply reduced.
- With a significant volume of cash money turnover, the production and launch into circulation of counterfeit money for fraudsters justified themselves. In the conditions of shifting settlements to the digital circuit - fraudsters have calculated everything and understand well that here they get more opportunities for fraud and their profit is much higher than from one-time or systematic issues of counterfeit money, - points out Olga Goryukova, Director of Risk Management Department of JSC "Svoy Bank".
Protection of banknotes and ATMs
In addition, new technologies are being introduced to protect paper banknotes from counterfeiting. The technologies make counterfeiting expensive and technically complicated.
The Bank of Russia has introduced multi-level protection on banknotes: for example, holograms, microprinting, color variable elements, 3D effects. Particular attention is paid to denominations of 5000 and 1000 rubles, which are more often counterfeited, lists Artem Bagdasaryan, lawyer of the Dictatorship of Law Bar Association
- We are witnessing a significant technological breakthrough in the field of banknote security. Modern Russian banknotes are equipped with a whole complex of protective elements, which are extremely difficult to counterfeit in artisanal conditions. This is especially true for 5000-ruble banknotes, which, despite the increased attention of counterfeiters, are becoming more and more secure," adds Nadezhda Kapustina, Professor of the Department of Economic Security and Risk Management at the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation.
Banknote verification systems in ATMs and terminals are also being improved. Modern equipment is capable of detecting counterfeits with the highest accuracy. ATMs accepting cash are now equipped with advanced counterfeit recognition systems.
How to recognize counterfeits
Nevertheless, you should not lose vigilance. A counterfeit bill can be recognized using a special application "Banknotes of the Bank of Russia". It will tell you how to check the money token for authenticity by the main signs: in the light, under magnification, by touch or by changing the angle of observation.
To quickly determine by eye whether the money is real, experts recommend the simplest check by touch protective elements, such as metallized thread and relief inscriptions.
Thus, a genuine banknote has relief elements. The denomination and the inscription "Bank of Russia Ticket" should be felt with the fingers. A genuine banknote has clearly visible watermarks that coincide with the image of the portrait or denomination. The security thread should shine through the banknote and change color when tilted. The hologram on large bills should change image when rotated. The color-changing paint on the number of denomination should change color (for example, on 5,000 rubles - from crimson to gold).
What to do with a counterfeit
If there are doubts about the authenticity of a banknote, you should not try to get rid of it at the nearest point of sale - it may be regarded as an attempt to sell it.
- It is not allowed to try to pay with it - it is a criminal offense. It is also forbidden to get rid of it at an ATM or slip it to another person," warns Georgy Gabolayev, General Director of the Group A law firm.
Instead, you should take the banknote to the bank - specialists will conduct an expert examination and if the forgery is confirmed, they will pass the information to the police, the lawyer explains. If the banknote was handed to you in a store or by hand - you need to go to the police and write a statement. And if it suddenly turns out that the banknote you wanted to pay with is counterfeit, you should leave it with the cashier and tell the police where you received the money - this may help the investigation.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
