13.07.2015 Views

ANNUAL REPORT 2008 - Polymer Bank Notes of the World

ANNUAL REPORT 2008 - Polymer Bank Notes of the World

ANNUAL REPORT 2008 - Polymer Bank Notes of the World

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

Chart 49 Number <strong>of</strong> counterfeit eurobanknotes recovered from circulationbetween 2002 and <strong>2008</strong>(thousands)4003503002502001501005002002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 <strong>2008</strong>400350300250200150100500Chart 50 Distribution <strong>of</strong> euro banknotecounterfeits by denomination in <strong>2008</strong>€5035%€10020%€2005%€5000%€51%€101%Source: ECB.€2038%Source: ECB.Note: The figures have been rounded to <strong>the</strong> nearest percentagepoint.intervals since <strong>the</strong> euro banknotes werelaunched. In <strong>2008</strong> <strong>the</strong> €20 and €50 banknoteswere <strong>the</strong> counterfeiters’ biggest targets, between<strong>the</strong>m accounting for about three-quarters <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>number <strong>of</strong> counterfeits. Chart 50 gives a detailedbreakdown <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> distribution <strong>of</strong> counterfeits interms <strong>of</strong> volume.The public can remain confident in <strong>the</strong> security<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> euro: it has proven to be a well-protectedcurrency, in terms <strong>of</strong> both <strong>the</strong> sophistication<strong>of</strong> its security features and <strong>the</strong> effectiveness<strong>of</strong> European and national law enforcementauthorities. However, this confidence shouldnever give rise to complacency, and <strong>the</strong> ECB’sadvice to <strong>the</strong> public remains to be alert to<strong>the</strong> possibility <strong>of</strong> fraud and to remember <strong>the</strong>“feel-look-tilt” test. 11 The Eurosystem continuesto invest considerable effort in ensuring thatboth <strong>the</strong> public and pr<strong>of</strong>essional cash handlersare well-informed with regard to <strong>the</strong> recognition<strong>of</strong> counterfeit banknotes.COUNTERFEIT DETERRENCEThe Eurosystem continued in <strong>2008</strong> to workclosely with Europol and <strong>the</strong> EuropeanCommission (in particular <strong>the</strong> European Anti-Fraud Office, OLAF) in <strong>the</strong> fight againstcounterfeiting <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> euro. The Eurosystem isactive, both in <strong>the</strong> EU and beyond, in trainingpr<strong>of</strong>essional cash handlers in <strong>the</strong> recognitionand handling <strong>of</strong> counterfeit banknotes.The Eurosystem participates actively in <strong>the</strong>work <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Central <strong>Bank</strong> Counterfeit DeterrenceGroup (CBCDG) (a working group <strong>of</strong> 31 centralbanks and note-printing authorities cooperatingunder <strong>the</strong> auspices <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> G10). The groupsponsors research into techniques designed toprevent <strong>the</strong> illicit reproduction <strong>of</strong> banknotes.The ECB hosts <strong>the</strong> International CounterfeitDeterrence Centre (ICDC), which acts as <strong>the</strong>technical centre for all CBCDG members. Itsmain role is to provide technical support and tooperate a centralised communication systemserving all parties involved in <strong>the</strong> field <strong>of</strong>counterfeit deterrence systems. The ICDC alsomaintains a public website 12 which providesinformation and guidance concerning <strong>the</strong>reproduction <strong>of</strong> banknote images as well as linksto country-specific websites.11 For details, see http://www.ecb.europa.eu/euro/banknotes/security/html/index.en.html12 For details, see http://www.rulesforuse.org120 ECBAnnual Report<strong>2008</strong>

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!