The amount of counterfeit money in Ukraine has increased by 62% compared to last year.
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According to the results of the first half of 2024, there were 3.4 counterfeits per 1 million real banknotes. In 2022, this figure was 2.2, and in 2023 – 2.3, the National Bank reported to the Ministry of Finance.
In April-May of this year, there was a short-term increase in the activity of counterfeiters, which can be explained by a certain adaptation to the realities of martial law and the desire of criminals to test the effectiveness of counteracting such cases, the National Bank explained.
However, the regulator still considers the current growth in the number of counterfeits to be moderate, noting that before the start of the full-scale invasion of the terrorist country, this figure was significantly higher – 7.1 counterfeits per 1 million real money.
In Ukraine, criminals also distribute fake foreign currency, but they prefer the US dollar to the euro. As reported to the Minfin publication by the National Bank, in the first half of 2024, 1,200 counterfeit foreign currency were withdrawn from circulation in our country (pre-war figure), while in 2022-2023 there were only 600-700 pieces per year.
Among the counterfeit foreign currency banknotes withdrawn from circulation in the first half of 2024 (as in 2021-2023), US dollars dominated – 95%. At the same time, most often, criminals counterfeited banknotes with a denomination of 100 US dollars.
Speaking about hryvnia cash, in January-June of this year, 90% of counterfeits (80% in 2021-2023) were in two denominations of old issues. These are 500 hryvnia of 2006 and 200 hryvnia of 2007.
The department notes that old banknotes, which are easier to counterfeit, are gradually being withdrawn from circulation, while new banknotes are much better protected.
Source: Racurs
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