TPAV Journal - The Police Association Victoria

On request, the RbA also conducts short
counterfeit deterrence and banknote
awareness presentations for police. Police
in New South wales, Queensland, Victoria,
South Australia and the Northern Territory
have all taken advantage of this offer.
In addition, a new one-day counterfeit
deterrence workshop, which is open to
federal and state police officers, is scheduled
for 21 November in Sydney and will
cover topics relating to legislation, media
management and counterfeit detection.
for more general information about
banknotes and counterfeit detection,
the RbA has also launched a new website
(banknotes.rba.gov.au) aimed at increasing
the public’s knowledge in this area.
Along with this website, a dedicated law
enforcement Portal has been developed
for inclusion on police intranet sites.
The Portal, which was developed with the
input of the AfP, contains all the information
police need for identifying, handling and
submitting counterfeits (see breakout 1
for an example of the type of information
contained in the Portal).
If police wish to access the services
mentioned above or have any suggestions
and feedback, the RbA is available at any
time (see details opposite).
What to do with Suspect banknotes
Non-Evidentiary Counterfeits
If you have in your possession a suspected counterfeit banknote that is not the subject
of a criminal investigation or prosecution, fill out a suspect counterfeit banknote form,
available on the AFP website (www.afp.gov.au), and send it along with the suspected
counterfeit banknote(s) via registered mail to the AFP Currency Team postal address:
Australian federal Police
Locked Bag 4817, Somerton VIC 3062
A property receipt will be forwarded to your property office once the property is received.
Evidentiary Counterfeits
Any seized article (i.e. counterfeits, or material or equipment connected to the production
of counterfeits such as printers, tools, paper, etc.), may be retained for 90 days after
the seizure. If a prosecution for an offence against the Crimes (Currency) Act 1981 is
instituted before that date, then the evidence can be retained. Qualified RBA examiners
are able to provide expert witness statements if required.
Following a successful prosecution and where the court is satisfied that an article is
forfeited under Section 29 of the Crimes (Currency) Act 1981, a condemnation order
should be sought for the disposal of the articles. The articles, together with a copy of
the order, should then be sent to the AFP Currency Team who will coordinate their
destruction in accordance with the Crimes (Currency) Act 1981.
Where a prosecution has not been instituted before the expiration of 90 days after the
seizure of articles connected to the making of counterfeits, those articles should be sent,
together with a completed a suspect counterfeit banknote form available on the AFP
website (www.afp.gov.au), via registered mail to the AFP Currency Team postal address
(given above). A property receipt will be forwarded to your property office once the
property is received.
Where to go for advice
The AFP Currency Team may be able to assist with your questions related to
investigations into counterfeiting, such as how to respond to counterfeiting incidents,
obtaining warrants and handling of suspect counterfeit banknotes. The AFP Currency
Team also has an information package that can be provided to law enforcement agencies
considering undertaking an investigation into currency counterfeiting.
Australian federal Police
Federal Agent Conrad Przbyszewski
Ph: (03) 9303 0236 Email: Conrad.Przybyszewski@afp.gov.au
For general information about banknotes and security features, the RBA has extensive
information available on its website. RBA staff are also available to take any general
enquiries about banknotes or counterfeits that police may have.
Reserve bank of Australia
Ph: 1800 633 220 Email: banknotes@rba.gov.au Web: banknotes.rba.gov.au
RbA Counterfeit Examination Laboratory
Dr Sani Muke Ph: (03) 9303 0225 Email: mukes@rba.gov.au
The Police Association Victoria Journal October 2012
19