Central Bank of Belize & Financial Intelligence Unit issue fraud alert regarding counterfeit money

Posted: Thursday, April 2, 2020. 4:57 pm CST.

By BBN Staf: The Central Bank of Belize and the Financial Intelligence Unit issued an alert to inform the public of the circulation of counterfeit Belize currency notes.

The public is urged to become familiar with the security features of the currency notes issued by the Central Bank of Belize.

Recognizing the security features will protect the public from fraud committed using counterfeit Belize currency notes.

Three key and easily identifiable security features are described below, while a more detailed explanation could be found on the Central Bank of Belize’s website at https://www.centralbank.org.bz/currency/security-features.

Key Security Features of Belizean Currency Notes:

• The windowed security thread: this thread comes to the surface at regular intervals so that its metallic sheen may be seen; the complete thread is only visible when viewed against the light.
• Watermark with Electrotype: the value of each denomination is in letters under the watermark and can be seen when held up to the light. The watermark is the Jaguar on the $100.00 and $50.00 notes and the Sleeping Giant on the $20.00, $10.00, $5.00 and $2.00 notes.
• See-through feature consists of specific design elements printed in precise register on both sides of the note: when the note is held up to the light, the parts of the design printed on the back will fit exactly with the unprinted areas on the front to produce the complete design. This feature is located near the watermark.

Any member of the public who suspects that he/she is in receipt of a counterfeit currency note is urged to take the following precautionary measures:

• Feel, look, and tilt banknotes to check for the security features. Delay the presenter if possible and call the Belize Police Department immediately.
• Observe the presenter’s features and appearance, such as gender, race, age, height, build, clothing, distinguishing marks or tattoos, language/dialect spoken, as well as that of any companions, and provide this information to the Police.

The Central Bank of Belize has the sole right to issue Belize currency notes and coins, and only such notes and coins issued by the Central Bank are legal tender in Belize.

It is a criminal offence to reproduce Belize currency notes with the intent to defraud. Persons found guilty of this offence shall, on conviction, be liable to imprisonment for up to 10 years.

You are encouraged to report any information on currency counterfeiting to the nearest branch of the Belize Police Department.

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