The National Bank of Ukraine reported an increase in the number of counterfeits of hryvnia and foreign currency. The relevant information is contained in the regulator's response to an inquiry of the Ukrainian publication "Ministry of Finance".
"At the end of the first half of 2024, there are 3.4 counterfeits per 1 million genuine banknotes. This is an increase of 62% compared to last year”, the National Bank said in a statement.
„In April - May of this year, the National Bank observed a short-term increase in the activity of counterfeiters, which is explained by the adaptation to the realities of the military situation and the desire of the attackers to test the effectiveness of countering such cases,”, the regulator notes . However, the increase in the number of counterfeits in the bank is called moderate.
It is noted that in January - June this year, 90% of counterfeits (80% in 2021-2023) were in two denominations: 500 hryvnias of the 2006 model and 200 hryvnias of the 2007 model In addition, in the first half of 2024, 1,200 counterfeit foreign currencies were withdrawn from circulation. Among the seized counterfeit banknotes, US dollars predominate (95%). “Most often, attackers counterfeit $100 bills,”, the document says.
The National Bank emphasized that “the sources of growth of counterfeiting of the hryvnia and currency have not yet been discovered".