On average, $7.8 million in Supernotes confiscated annually
Source: Peter Finn, “Probe Traces Global Reach of Counterfeiting Ring,” Washington Post, November 26, 2006.
Half of all seized counterfeit dollars in 2003 were from Colombia
Source: Bill Faries, “Made in South America: New Breed of Fake US Dollars,” Christian Science Monitor, April 14, 2005.
Less than 1 percent of total dollar supply is counterfeit
Source: Bill Faries, “Made in South America: New Breed of Fake US Dollars,” Christian Science Monitor, April 14, 2005.
Counterfeit Dollars pictures
Forbes Magazine has a photo slide show about counterfeit dollars and the steps to prevent counterfeiting.
See the entire slide show here.
Counterfeit Dollars Market Value: $61 Million
The Counterfeit Dollars market consists of producing and utilizing currency that was not created under the authority of the United States Government.
$61 million counterfeit dollars were passed into circulation.
Source: United States Treasury Department, ” The Use and Counterfeiting of the United States Currency Aboard, Part 3” , Final Report to the Congress by [...]
50 million Supernotes originated from North Korea
United States Authorities have seized around 50 Million Counterfeit Dollars known as Supernotes that originated from North Korea.
Source: AP, “U.S. fights N. Korea efforts to forge currency,” MSNBC.com, August 7, 2006,(accessed: September 3, 2006).
North Korea earns $20 million from selling counterfeit US dollars
Source: Korea Times, “NK Earns $20 Million a Year From Counterfeiting: Expert” , May 15, 2005.
US still investigating Supernotes
The US Treasury announced Congressional testimony that it was still investigating counterfeit dollars known as “Supernotes” believed to originate from North Korea.
From Reuters:
Turning to North Korea, Levey said the U.S. Secret Service was continuing to investigate counterfeiting activities by Pyongyang. He said high-quality counterfeit $100 bills produced by North Kora, known as the “Supernote”, were [...]
Couple uses counterfeit $100 bill to buy Girl Scout Cookies
An unknown couple in Colorado passed a counterfeit $100 bill when purchasing Girl Scout Cookies outside of a local supermarket.
From ABC Affiliate in Colorado The Denver Channel.com:
Westminster police issued a warning about the dangers of counterfeit money Sunday after a Girl Scout group reported they unknowingly accepted a fake $100 bill for cookies.
The girls [...]
The $100 Supernote counterfeit bill
McClatchy Newspapers has a report on the counterfeit $100 “Supernote” and the problems that it is causing the United States government.
Aspect of the bill that causes concern:
•The paper appears to be made from the same cotton and linen mix that distinguishes U.S. currency from others. It includes the watermarks visible from the other side of [...]
