Billions in Bogus Bills Blocked

In a significant crackdown on counterfeit currency, law enforcement agencies from 18 countries have successfully intercepted counterfeit banknotes and coins valued at approximately EUR 1.2 billion. The operation, named DECOY III, was coordinated by Europol with major contributions from Austria, Portugal, and Spain.

The six-month operation, spanning from June to November 2025, targeted extensive criminal networks that were distributing fake currency via postal services. A staggering 90% of the counterfeit items were traced back to China, emphasizing the country as a primary source of the counterfeit currency flooding into Europe. Notably, Romanian authorities seized over 4.8 million altered euro banknotes and dismantled a significant storage facility harboring more than 223,000 counterfeit notes originating from China. Additional seizures in Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States unveiled over 220,000 counterfeit coins in various denominations including euros, pounds, and US dollars, all traced back to China.

The operation has been a monumental effort in international cooperation, involving countries such as Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Europol and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) played crucial roles in supporting the operation by facilitating the exchange of intelligence, detecting suspect parcels, and refining risk indicators for future actions.

The successful seizures have triggered 70 new investigations into the criminal networks responsible for these operations. This coordinated effort not only highlights the importance of international collaboration in tackling such extensive criminal activities but also sets a precedent for future operations against the circulation of counterfeit currency. Europol continues to work closely with the European Central Bank and the European Commission to enhance cooperation with Chinese authorities to address the root of the counterfeit currency issue.