Europol Intercepts EUR1.2 Billion in Counterfeit Currency in Transnational Operation

Law enforcement agencies across 18 countries have successfully seized counterfeit currency valued at approximately EUR1.2 billion following a coordinated operation led by Europol. The effort, which spanned several months, involved police and customs officials intercepting packages containing forged banknotes and coins intended for circulation within the European Union and beyond.

According to Europol, the majority of the confiscated fake currency--over 90 percent--originated from China. The operation targeted shipments distributed via postal services, highlighting the increasing trend of using international mail networks for the illicit trade of counterfeit money. Investigators halted 79 separate packages over a six-month period, uncovering millions in fraudulent euros, US dollars, British pounds, and Swiss francs.

Romanian authorities played a significant role in the operation, securing more than 4.8 million counterfeit notes and dismantling a storage site containing upwards of 223,000 forged banknotes. Similar discoveries were made in Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States, where more than 220,000 counterfeit coins, also traced back to China, were intercepted before they could enter local economies.

Europol has maintained close communication with the European Central Bank throughout the investigation, collaborating on measures to curb the manufacturing and distribution of forged European currencies. The agency is also working with Chinese authorities to address the root sources of these counterfeiting operations and to prevent further dissemination of fake banknotes and coins.

As a result of the operation, 70 criminal investigations have been launched against organized groups suspected of orchestrating the international distribution of counterfeit currency. While details about possible arrests remain undisclosed, the ongoing inquiries are aimed at dismantling the networks responsible for large-scale counterfeiting and disrupting their supply chains.

The multi-country operation, which took place between June and November 2025, was coordinated under the leadership of law enforcement agencies from Austria, Portugal, and Spain. The collaborative effort included the participation of German authorities and other European partners, reinforcing the need for cross-border cooperation to combat sophisticated financial crimes.

The seizure underscores the persistent threat posed by counterfeit money to economic stability and public trust in national currencies. Authorities have reiterated the importance of vigilance among financial institutions and the public to detect and report suspicious banknotes and coins. The operation further demonstrates the effectiveness of international collaboration in addressing transnational organized crime affecting the global financial system.