Due to current events, the Cologne police are warning about counterfeit 20 euro notes in the Cologne and Leverkusen city areas. The counterfeits are made to look deceptively real.
Last month alone, 120 counterfeit 20-euro bills were stopped by the Cologne police. In the first two weeks of October there was already an increase to 147 cases.
Counterfeits predominantly appear in retail stores.
Most counterfeits have the note number S19065030524 on the back of the note.
Another clue to recognizing the fake is the missing “gold-colored” stripe on the back. At this point, all counterfeit banknotes only have a gray stripe imitated with “20” and the “Euro” symbol printed on them.
For this reason, the police warn:
- Pay attention to your change, especially when shopping.
- Also be careful if you are approached on the street and asked to change a large amount of money - consisting of 20 euro notes - into a different denomination.
- If you do become a victim, contact the police immediately. If in doubt, dial the emergency number 110.
The German Bundesbank will issue a new edition of the 20 euro note at the end of November 2015.
This could be a reason for the current increase in counterfeits. Fraudsters may try to exchange their remaining “inventories” in payment transactions for real money. (OTS)
Notes:
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