Suspected of counterfeit money: investigative team combs through Cologne and Bad Kreuznach!

Suspected of counterfeit money: investigative team combs through Cologne and Bad Kreuznach!

In Bad Kreuznach, a counterfeit scandal employs the investigators. According to Rhein-Zeitung , an amount of 20,000 euros was ensured in the form of fake 50- and 100- signs. The circumstances indicate that a group from Bad Kreuznach is behind these criminal machinations.

The in question of counterfeit money certificates are of deceptively real quality, which makes the situation even more worrying. Investigators have already identified a suspect who moved from Bad Kreuznach to Cologne, and carried out an urgent search for an apartment there. The counterfeit money was ensured in two apartments in Cologne, and the suspects' mobile phones were also confiscated to secure further evidence.

accumulation of counterfeit money cases

In the period from October to November 2024 there was an eye -catching increase in counterfeit reports in Bad Kreuznach and the surrounding area. Affected locations were petrol stations, shops and discos. The suspicion is directed against six men from Bad Kreuznach, who supposedly used fake banknotes to acquire goods and services. Another suspect is said to have been active in Montabaur.

The public prosecutors Bad Kreuznach and Koblenz have obtained search resolutions based on the collected information. On February 4, 2025, these measures were implemented to hold the suspects responsible and identify the fraud. Despite the searches, the suspects are currently released, while the investigation is continued.

The dangers of counterfeit money

The Bundesbank reports that the counterfeit money volume in Germany is increasingly worrying. In 2022, over 44,100 fake euro banknotes were pulled out of circulation of EUR 2.7 million. This represents an increase of 5.2 percent compared to the previous year, causes, among other things, by the abolition of corona restrictions and the revival of folk festivals and Christmas markets. Many counterfeits concern the 50- and 100 euro notes, which are often used for the purchase of high-quality goods.

The Bundesbank advises the population to report suspicion of counterfeit money immediately and not to pass on such banknotes, as this is punishable. Notes on the detection of fake banknotes are decisive and contain, see and tip the notes. Security features such as special paper, relief printing, watermarks and holograms are important indicators to identify counterfeit money.