Counterfeit currency under scrutiny by The National Bank - Decrease in circulation observed
In the financial world, the issue of counterfeit currency is a global concern, and Belarus is no exception. Foreign currencies such as US dollars, euros, and Russian rubles circulate alongside the Belarusian ruble within the country's borders.
While specific data on the prevalence and most commonly counterfeited denominations of these currencies in Belarus are not readily available, it is often observed that higher denominations are common targets for counterfeiters worldwide. For instance, $50 and $100 bills, €50 and €100 notes, and higher-value Russian ruble bills are frequently counterfeited in many countries.
Recent findings in Belarus indicate that among the counterfeit Russian rubles discovered, banknotes with a denomination of Br5000 account for 80.0%. However, the share of fake US dollars and euros remains unspecified in the available sources.
In the first three months of 2025, 184 counterfeit banknotes were discovered in Belarus. Among these, only one counterfeit coin was found - a two-euro piece. Slightly fewer 100-dollar bills and significantly more 50-dollar bills were discovered compared to last year. Euros accounted for 2.2% of the counterfeit banknotes.
The National Bank of the Republic of Belarus reported the use of various printing technologies for counterfeiting banknotes, with offset and intaglio printing technologies being primarily used for counterfeiting US dollars and euros. Reprography - printer devices (mainly inkjet, electrophotography for US dollars, inkjet for euros and Russian rubles) are used to reproduce the images of other counterfeit banknotes.
Counterfeit banknotes were seized in 28 populated areas in total. The majority of counterfeit banknotes were detected in Minsk, the capital city of Belarus. Interestingly, no counterfeit Belarusian rubles were discovered.
Despite the limited information available, it is worth noting that the number of counterfeit banknotes has slightly decreased compared to previous periods. This could be due to improved law enforcement efforts or advances in banknote security features.
For more precise and up-to-date data on Belarus, official sources such as the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus or Belarusian law enforcement reports would be the best reference points. International bodies tracking counterfeit currency trends relevant to Belarus could also provide valuable insights.
In the business sector of Belarus, the prevalence of counterfeit Russian ruble banknotes is a prominent concern, with a majority of 80.0% being Br5000 denominations. Concurrently, the share of fake US dollars and euros, though unspecified, is a general-news issue worldwide, especially with higher denominations like $50 and $100 bills, €50 and €100 notes, and higher-value Russian ruble bills being frequently counterfeited.
