Law enforcement agencies from 18 countries, led by Spain, Portugal, and Austria, have seized counterfeit currency exceeding EUR 14 million during Operation DECOY. Coordinated by Europol and conducted under the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT), the operation targeted the distribution of fake banknotes and coins through postal services across Europe.
Major Seizures and New Investigations
The operation’s intensive phase resulted in the interception of 174 parcels containing counterfeit currency, sparking 144 new police investigations into the criminal networks behind the illicit trade. Authorities seized a total of 148,130 counterfeit items, which included:
- 134,949 euro banknotes and coins,
- 9,186 British pounds, and
- 3,595 US dollars.
The majority of the seized items were altered-design banknotes, commonly referred to as “movie money.” These reproductions mimic the shape and color of legitimate banknotes but feature a small disclaimer identifying them as counterfeit. Despite the disclaimers, they are often overlooked, allowing fraudsters to pass them off as genuine currency.
The EUR 50 banknote emerged as the most frequently seized denomination, followed by the EUR 20 note.
Coordinated Efforts Drive Success
Operation DECOY’s success was rooted in the close collaboration between customs and police agencies. Criminal networks often exploit gaps in enforcement, particularly in the realm of postal shipments. In this operation, customs officers played a crucial role in detecting counterfeit currency at points of entry, while police forces conducted follow-up investigations to dismantle the criminal organisations responsible.
This cooperative approach ensured that counterfeit money was intercepted promptly, while comprehensive investigations targeted the organised crime groups operating behind the scenes.
Multinational Participation
The operation involved law enforcement and customs agencies from Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Europol and the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) provided critical support, enabling intelligence-sharing, identifying suspect parcels, and refining risk indicators to enhance future efforts against counterfeit currency distribution.
Operation DECOY highlights the importance of international cooperation in combating financial crimes and protecting the integrity of currency systems worldwide.
