The Czech National Bank published its 2025 statistics on counterfeit, altered and imitation cash seized in the Czech Republic, reporting 9,036 fake items, up almost 55% year on year. The increase was driven by imitations, while the number of counterfeits fell. Imitations totalled 7,354 (7,337 banknotes and 17 coins), compared with 3,478 in 2024. Counterfeit banknotes and coins declined to 1,646 from 2,336, including 429 counterfeit Czech banknotes with a face value of almost CZK 568,000 and 208 counterfeit CZK 20 coins (CZK 4,160), as well as 911 counterfeit foreign banknotes and 98 foreign coins. Altered items rose to 36 from 22, comprising 16 altered Czech banknotes and 18 altered Czech coins, plus two altered foreign items. The most frequently counterfeited Czech denominations were CZK 2,000 (102) and CZK 1,000 (100), and the CNB highlighted basic checks for Czech banknote security features, while noting that most seized counterfeits were of low technical quality.
Czech National Bank 2026-03-02
Czech National Bank reports 55% increase in fake banknotes and coins seized in 2025 driven by 7,354 imitations
The Czech National Bank reported a 55% increase in seized counterfeit, altered, and imitation cash in 2025, totaling 9,036 items. The rise was primarily due to imitations, which reached 7,354, while counterfeits decreased to 1,646. The most counterfeited Czech denominations were CZK 2,000 and CZK 1,000, with most counterfeits being of low technical quality.