Counterfeit notes worth millions discovered in Sweden as authorities report surge in cases

In recent years, counterfeit notes worth millions have been discovered annually in Sweden. Official data indicates that over half a million fake kronor were seized in the first half of this year alone. Michael Johansson from the National Forensic Centre (NFC) states that the majority of these counterfeits are attributed to minor criminals rather than organized crime groups. He emphasizes that making convincing counterfeits requires no special skills or equipment, as the public is largely unaccustomed to validating cash.

Sweden is among the countries with the lowest cash usage, yet both the Swedish Central Bank and the Civil Contingencies Agency are advocating for increased cash transactions to enhance resilience during crises. Johansson asserts that if people are educated on how to check security features of banknotes, the risk of encountering counterfeit notes would not necessarily increase.

Interestingly, counterfeit notes are being sold on social media platforms. When attempting to reach out to accounts purporting to sell fake currency, offers to purchase notes arrived within hours. Johansson expressed surprise at the boldness of these sellers, noting that counterfeit currency is a serious crime.

The number of counterfeit note cases sent to NFC spiked unexpectedly in the fall of 2019, rising from around 60 cases per month to over 200. Currently, the monthly average stands at approximately 150 cases. The value of confiscated counterfeit notes has fluctuated over recent years, with the total for the first half of 2024 recorded at 543,950 kronor.