Lately, some of my readers has been asking on "How to detect fake new RM50 & RM100 notes". Recent story about fake RM50 and RM100 notes found in Melaka has created a sense of worry. Many readers are curios about a way to check for counterfeit new RM100 banknote.
Looking from pictures shown in many local news, the fake RM100 are made using normal inkjet printer. In most pictures that I can found for the Melaka counterfeit RM100 news, the fake notes seam to have brighter color then the original notes.
In my opinion, you can avoid receiving a fake notes if you are more careful and learn more about Malaysia 4th series banknote security features. I also read in some Malaysia forum that people are suggesting a "ultra-violet lamp" to detect a counterfeit notes. Is it a practical thing to bring a UV light everywhere you go?
Looking from pictures shown in many local news, the fake RM100 are made using normal inkjet printer. In most pictures that I can found for the Melaka counterfeit RM100 news, the fake notes seam to have brighter color then the original notes.
In my opinion, you can avoid receiving a fake notes if you are more careful and learn more about Malaysia 4th series banknote security features. I also read in some Malaysia forum that people are suggesting a "ultra-violet lamp" to detect a counterfeit notes. Is it a practical thing to bring a UV light everywhere you go?
Melaka counterfeit RM50 & RM100 news:
The Star on 19 November 2012 reported, a businessman in his late 40s from Masjid Tanah, Melaka had a police report lodged against him by his bank after he deposited RM13,000 into his account. The report revealed that RM1,000 of the amount, which is in RM100 denominations, had the same serial numbers. The businessman was a loyal customer of the bank for many years, and this was the first time that he had inadvertently deposited counterfeit currency. Scores of convenience shops owners and staff in the state have also lodged reports after they received the notes from locals and tourists.
Kosmo on 21 November 2012 reported, Malacca police arrested eight individuals, including four foreigners believed to be involved in a counterfeit money scam worth almost RM10,000 around the state between January and early November.
Commercial Crime Investigation Department chief of Malacca, Supt Soh Hock Sing said, all of them aged between 22 and 26 years were arrested after detection by the bank and supermarket workers.
"We have seized counterfeit currency worth RM9, 970 to RM4, 960 successfully detected in a bank while RM4, 810 is detected by the supermarkets," he told reporters at a news conference at police headquarters (NHQ) Melaka here.
According to him, all the seized counterfeit currency involving RM100 91 pieces of paper, 17 pieces of RM50 notes and two pieces of RM10 notes. Consequently, people are advised to be more careful with unscrupulous attempts in distributing counterfeit banknotes is especially involving a RM100 and RM50.
Bank Negara Malaysia reply:
WE refer to the report “Fake RM50 and RM100 notes circulating in Malacca” (The Star, Nov 19).
Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) would like to state that the occurrence of counterfeit banknotes in Malacca is an isolated case. Based on our assessment, the counterfeit banknotes are of poor quality and can be recognised by their inferior printing and forged security features.
In cases of currency forgeries, BNM works very closely with the Royal Malaysia Police to take prompt action in apprehending those who are involved in such criminal activities. Members of the public are advised to lodge a report should they find themselves in possession of any counterfeit banknotes.
To determine whether a banknote is genuine, members of the public should at least observe the following main features (for all banknotes):
(i) Feel the quality and printing features of the banknote.
Genuine banknotes are printed on high quality paper. It has a unique feel, i.e. slightly rough when touched and it is different when compared to normal pulp based paper.
Members of the public should also look for the raised printing effect particularly on the portrait and letterings.
(ii) Hold the banknote against the light to observe these features.
>There is a three-dimensional watermark portrait of the First Yang di-Pertuan Agong at the unprinted area which appears soft and shady without sharp outlines;
>The perfect see-through register – the see-through register designed on the obverse and reverse side of the banknote register perfectly and form a complete image when the banknote is held against the light; and
>Genuine banknotes have a security thread with micro letterings, which is embedded in the paper. This thread appears intermittently on the banknote.
(iii) Tilt the banknote to see colour/image change effect on the hologram and security thread (where applicable)
The hologram stripe (only for the RM50 banknote), glossy patch, colour shifting security thread and Micro lense security feature (only for the RM100 banknote) will intermittently appear/change when the banknote is tilted under bright light.
For further information on Malaysian banknotes, please visit the Bank Negara Malaysia website at www.bnm.gov.my.
SHARIFFUDDIN KHALID
Director, Strategic Communications Department
Bank Negara Malaysia
To learn more about Malaysia notes new security features, you can read these:
How to detect fake new RM100 notes.
How to detect fake new RM50 notes.
