There was a notable decrease in the number of counterfeit euro banknotes reported to the Central Bank of Malta in the first half of 2017.

At 422 pieces, the overall quantity of counterfeits withdrawn from circulation was 34% lower than the aggregate figure withdrawn in the previous six months (July to December 2016) and also lower than that reported in the same period of 2016 (January to June 2016), the bank said.

When compared with the number of genuine euro banknotes in circulation in Malta (slightly above 10.39 million on average for the first half of 2017), the proportion of euro counterfeits remains insignificant, the bank added.

It is also low (0.13%) as a proportion of the total number of counterfeits seized in the euro area as a whole over the same period, amounting to 331,000 pieces.

Of all the counterfeit euro banknotes seized in Malta over the first half of the year, the largest number continued to be those of the middle denominations, the €20 and €50 amounting to 73.5% of all counterfeits. During this period, the share of the €20 and €50 denominations increased, whilst that of the €10 denomination decreased from 36.9% in the previous half year to 17.3% during this period.  

Genuine banknotes can be easily recognised using the simple “FEEL-LOOK-TILT” test, which is described on the Bank’s website: https://www.centralbankmalta.org/euro-banknotes-counterfeit-notes.

Anyone who receives a suspect note should contact either the Police by calling on 2294 2120 or the Central Bank of Malta on 2550 6012/13 or by sending an email on the Bank’s e-mail address at nccmt@centralbankmalta.org.