Moldova sees sharp rise in counterfeit banknotes
The Republic of Moldova is registering an increasing number of counterfeit banknote cases. Last year, nearly 90 such crimes were recorded, marking a 23 percent increase compared to 2023.
Law enforcement officials urge citizens to be vigilant.
A team from the public television broadcaster, Moldova 1, visited the laboratory where suspect banknotes are verified. Specialists utilize modern equipment to uncover all non-conformities and identify forgery.
"First of all, we examine them in transparent light... just as people do – they check if Ștefan (Stephen the Great) is on our authentic banknotes or not," explained forensic expert Nicolae Popov.
Criminals are constantly devising increasingly ingenious counterfeiting methods. In some situations, the first verification filter fails to detect the fakes. However, experts possess high-performance equipment that can rapidly identify any irregularity.
"The next device we use more frequently is the stereomicroscope to see the small details of the banknotes, such as this serial number on the 100 lei note. You can observe that the serial number, the printing method, is chaotic; that is, ink droplets are present," the forensic expert demonstrated.
According to specialists, the most frequently counterfeited banknote of the national currency is the 100 lei note.
"The most common method of forgery for the 100 lei banknote is transforming a lower denomination into a higher one. For example, 10 lei is chemically transformed into 100," Nicolae Popov exemplified.
At first glance, a fake 100 lei banknote can look just like an authentic one. However, the first differences can be observed upon touch—the tactile elements are missing. If inserted into a detection machine, one can see the absence of the special marking on the banknote, which glows under ultraviolet light—an element that is very difficult to fake.
Citizens have their own methods for identifying fake Lei currency:
"How did I check? I held them up to the light; it's important to see the watermark, to see the statue of Stephen the Great."
"Well, if it has the 'magnet' (holographic/security strip) and Stephen, they are real money."
"No, I haven't had any experience with fake money until now. – But what are the signs that a banknote is fake? – I don't know. Honestly, I really can't answer you."
After examining the banknotes and confirming their negative authenticity, the forgeries are either retained by the Technical-Criminalistic and Judicial Expertise Center or destroyed.
Individuals who receive counterfeit money must immediately contact the police and must not, under any circumstances, attempt to exchange the banknotes, as they risk criminal liability. Manufacturing or circulating these notes is punishable by up to ten years in prison.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
