Counterfeit NAf. 100 banknotes in circulation  

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PHILIPSBURG  WILLEMSTAD — The Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) has  detected counterfeit NAf. 100 banknotes in circulation. The counterfeit NAf. 100 banknotes  are of very good quality, making them challenging to distinguish from genuine NAf. 100 bills.  

Following a thorough analysis of the counterfeit banknotes, the CBCS has observed the  following prominent distinguishing characteristics:  

  • The paper used for the counterfeit banknotes feels thicker, stiffer and coarse compared to  that of genuine banknotes.
  • Genuine banknotes feature a shadow watermark bearing the former CBCS logo. When held  up to the light, the shadow watermark displays a gradient of lighter and darker shades  relative to the surrounding paper. The relief of the watermark can be observed when real  banknotes are laid flat, and it is also tactile. To verify the watermark, place a thin piece of  paper on it and lightly shade over it with a soft pencil. If the outline of the shadow watermark  does not appear, the banknote is suspicious.
  • On genuine banknotes, the letters N and A should align perfectly when held against the light.  The letter N on the front fits precisely into the letter A on the back, forming an image.  Counterfeit bills often exhibit imperfect alignment (with noticeable gaps where the letters  should align).
  • The front of the banknote features a tactile ink layer in several areas, such as the numerical  value, the text, and the bird illustration. Additionally, the upper right corner of the bill  contains an identifying mark for the visually impaired, which can be easily detected by touch.
  • The gold-colored foil on the front of genuine banknotes is shiny and has a (lighter) golden  yellow color against the white area of the banknote. In contrast, the gold-colored foil of  counterfeit banknotes is dull in color and has a dark golden-brown color against the white  area.
  • The ink used for the small print within the text block on the back of authentic banknotes is  slightly lighter and displays a subtle color-gradient effect, transitioning from lighter to slightly  darker. Conversely, the ink on counterfeit banknotes is darker in appearance and (almost)  lacks any noticeable color gradient. The small print on the genuine banknotes is sharply  legible, while on counterfeit banknotes, these (small) letters are often not as sharp and  therefore less easily legible.
  • The bird illustration on the front and the Bank’s former logo on the back of counterfeit  banknotes are printed using darker ink. – Counterfeit banknotes have virtually no planchettes  (glitter). On genuine banknotes, the planchettes change color as the banknote is tilted or  rotated.
  • Using a “counterfeit money pen” to draw a line on a counterfeit banknote will leave a  black/brown mark on the banknote, whereas this is not the case with genuine banknotes.  – The margin at the bottom of the counterfeit banknotes is wider than that of genuine  banknotes.  

The CBCS encourages the public to exercise increased vigilance when handling banknotes  (particularly 100 guilder bills). Counterfeiters tend to operate during evening hours (especially at  hospitality venues) or dimly lit locations, making it more challenging to identify counterfeit  currency. Owners and employees of such establishments are particularly urged to remain  vigilant. If you have significant doubts about the authenticity of a banknote, it is advised to  decline it and contact the police.  

For more information about the security features of our banknotes please visit the CBCS-website  http://www.centralbank.cw/banknotes. On our website you will also find an educational video  about the various security features of our banknotes. The video also emphasizes the fact that it is  not the appearance of a paying person that tells if a banknote is authentic, but that the  authenticity can only be determined based on the security features.

The video can be viewed via  the following link: https://www.centralbank.cw/education/videos/security-features-of banknotes 

You are reminded that it is illegal for any person and or institution to accept and keep counterfeit  banknotes. You are advised to immediately contact the police if you think you’re dealing with a  counterfeit banknote. The counterfeiting of banknotes and the fraudulent use of counterfeit  means of payment are punishable by imprisonment of up to 9 years.