Guidelines on Handling Counterfeit Banknotes by Commercial Banks

These are the guidelines on handling counterfeit banknotes by commercial banks, as provided by Central Bank of Malaysia (BNM) :

1. Do not stamp “Disyaki Palsu”, write on, cut, re-circulate or alter the physical condition of the suspected counterfeit banknotes.
2. Record full details of the sender’s name, address and I/C number, denomination, quantity of counterfeit banknotes and other related information in a record on the detection of suspected counterfeit banknotes.
    
3. Hand-over a copy of (2) above to sender as proof of the bank’s receipt of the suspected counterfeit banknotes.
    
4. Photocopy sender’s I/C and the suspected counterfeit banknotes.
    
5. Lodge a police report at the nearest police station promptly and surrender the suspected counterfeit banknotes, copy of sender’s I/C and other related documents to them.

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Checking a Fake Banknote

You might had visited the post on Detecting a Counterfeit Banknote but the article seems a lot of words and may irritate some of word-o-phobia (really?).

So we brought to you the video version which is more interactive and attractive, produced by lunaticg blog. The money used here is Malaysia Ringgit (MYR) 100.
Here you go:

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How to Differentiate or Identify Counterfeit Notes using Banknote Detector

How to spot fake money?  How to check and confirm forgery notes?
Here are some useful tips to identify counterfeit RM50 notes; brought to you by Nibo Corporation Sdn Bhd.
*RM/MYR stand for Ringgit Malaysia

Overall paper reflection of UV light

 (✔ means real banknote, X means fake banknote)

Security vertical strip does not differentiate the real and fake banknotes

Deer head reflection (real banknote)

Deer head reflection (fake banknote)

Serial number reflection (fake banknote)

Serial number reflection (real banknote)

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What Do You Do If You Receive a Counterfeit Banknote?

After you able to detect any counterfeit and fake banknote, you must be wondering; what should I do now?

Some advices, do notify the police immediately if you have received counterfeit banknotes. Using or returning counterfeit banknotes is just as illegal as manufacturing it. Counterfeit banknotes are not eligible for replacement!

Follow these steps (as provided by Central Bank of Malaysia or BNM):

• Delay the person (passer) who gives you the counterfeit banknotes if possible and observe the passer's description, as well as that of his/her companion if any, and the license numbers of any vehicles used by them
   
• Do not write on, cut or re-circulate the counterfeit currency
   
• Handle the currency as little as possible (e.g. you can put it in an envelope or plastic cover). Record on a separate sheet of paper all the details about how you got the currency, who gave it to you, where and when you got it
   
• Take the counterfeit currency to the nearest police station and surrender the counterfeit currency to them after lodging a police report

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Online Scam: Couple, Two Men Nabbed for Circulating Counterfeit Notes

A couple and two men have been arrested by police in separate raids in Petaling Jaya for possessing and distributing counterfeit notes.

Police said the suspects, believed to have been active since October last year, were nabbed on June 5th and 11th after they were detected using the fake money to cheat individuals selling items online.

Authorities also seized an undiclosed amount of 100 ringgit counterfeit bills, printing equipment and several handphones.

A total of 13 reports have been lodged over the matter, involving losses amounting to 21 thousand ringgit.

All those detained, aged 27 and 28, were remanded until June 15 to facilitate investigations.

Source

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Detecting a Counterfeit Banknote

Counterfeit banknotes are reproduction of the real banknotes using materials of low quality but appear similar to the genuine with intent to deceive member of the public.

Counterfeit banknotes have no value but it is possible that they may be used and may escape detection for some time. Thus, protect yourself and always check your banknotes when you receive them. Here are some tips from Central Bank of Malaysia (BNM).

Detecting a Counterfeit Banknote

All counterfeits of modern banknotes can be recognized without too much difficulty. The differences can be seen upon closer examination by applying the "FEEL , LOOK, TILT and CHECK" Principle.

1. Counterfeit Detection: Feel

Security Features	Genuine	Counterfeit
Feel the quality of paper	The genuine banknote is usually printed on very high quality paper and manufactured from cotton. It has a unique feel, crisp sound and slightly rough in the heavily printed areas.	The paper used for making the counterfeit notes appears to be poor quality,most common commercial type of paper.
Feel the Intaglio Printing	The intaglio print is a raised printing effect produced by applying layers of tactile inks on various parts of the front and reverse sides of the notes	The counterfeit banknote does not have feeling the raised printing.

2. Counterfeit Detection: Look

Security Features	Genuine	Counterfeit
Look at the banknote and hold it up to the light	The genuine banknote carry a watermark portrait, security thread and perfect see through features . A watermark portrait of Yang DiPertuan Agong has three dimensional effect and appears soft and shady without sharp outlines portrait. At the base of watermark a denomination number is clearly visible. The security thread will always looked embedded in the paper. The hibiscus flower on the obverse will register perfectly with the same flower on the reverse of the banknote.	The watermark in the counterfeit is not visible. If any, it can be appears like a drawing. The security thread is simulated and rather blurs, and can be easily scrapped off. The see through features does not perfectly registered with the pattern on the reverse side of the banknote.
Look under magnifying glass	You can see micro lettering on observe and reverse sides of all banknotes. The lettering on a genuine banknote should be sharp and not blurred.	The micro lettering of the words 'BANKNEGARA MALAYSIA', 'BNM' and banknotes denomination i.e. RM1, RM5, RM10, RM50 and RM100 on the banknote are not present, only dots are printed to simulate this features.
Look ultra-violet light	Invisible fluorescent elements representing various elements of the background on the obverse and reverse will fluoresce in different colours. Various elements are captured under UV light such as invisible fibres and phosphorescence square.	Under UV light the invisible fibres and phosphorescence square are completely missing in the counterfeit note. The paper of the counterfeit is UV bright, meaning that it glows more than genuine banknote paper.

3. Counterfeit Detection: Tilt

Tilt the banknote
LEAD feature (incorporated in RM10, RM50 and RM100) You can see the iridescent stripe shines under a bright light and showing the banknote denomination and the name of BNM when the view angle is shifted.	Lead feature is very difficult to counterfeit. Normally the shines of the LEAD cannot be seen. Some counterfeiters will attempt to simulate it by using a plain shiny foil.
PEAK feature When changing the angle of view by shifting the banknote, a hidden image of denomination number i.e. 50 will be revealed in the centre of the PEAK square.	There is no latent image of denomination in the PEAK feature or some simulation of image has been attempted.

Security Features

Various security features have been incorporated into the Malaysia Ringgit banknote. It is important for you to be aware of some of these security features and be able to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit notes which are completely worthless.

Level	Examination	Security Features
Level I : Public	Human Sense	Watermark Portrait Security Thread LEAD Feature PEAK Feature Perfect See Through Intaglio Print
Level II : Cash Handler	Human Sense & Equipments	All the first level features Security Fiber Fluorescent Elements Micro Lettering Fluorescent Square

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Consumerism Movement Development Programme

There are many consumerism movement has been established. The Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operative and Consumerism (MDTCC) also has developed several consumerism movement under the Consumerism Movement Development Programme.

Here is the list as mentioned in MDTCC official website (last updated : March 22, 2012) :

CONSUMER SQUAD

CONSUMER SQUAD was formerly known as Voluntary Price Monitor (SPH) (2001-2006).  In 2006 – 2011 it was known as consumer partners with the objective to assist the goverment in monitoring the prices of the goods ( price tagging) and services.

The group was rebranded again as Consumer Squad in order to strengthen and improve the effectivenss of it’s function across the country. In addition, the number of Consumer Squad is expanded in collaboration with Consumerism NGO, non consumerism NGO as Cuepacs, business associations such as Perdasama, Giant & Jusco and the public. This synergy is very important in creating an intergrated and precise consumer movement for upholding the rights of consumers. All information / info, promotions and on line registrations for consumer to become a member of Consumer Squad can be accessed at www.1pengguna.com/sp

NATIONAL CONSUMER MOVEMENT COUNCIL (MGPK)

National Consumer Movement Council (MGPK) is a council chaired by Minister of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism and it’s committee consists of all the State Chairman of the Consumer Movement (GPN), which are the State Director of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism (PPDNKK) in states and the appointed Co-Chairman from the consumers’ association. MGPK’s objective is to discuss  issues on consumerism, to coordinate the implementation of consumer programs and activities at state and district and serves as the liaison body  between the Federal and State governments in the areas of consumerism.

STATE CONSUMER MOVEMENT (GPN)

State of the Consumer Movement (GPN) is a forum chaired by the Chairman of the State Consumer Movement (GPN) whichare State Director of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism  (PPDNKK), and a appointed Co-Chairman from the consumer organizations, representatives from State business enterprises, the State Agnecis and the District Chairman of the Consumer Movement (GPD). GPN was established to provide an official forum to discuss and to solve consumer problems at the state level. This is in line with the Ministry’s vision to focus on people, especially at state and district levels that currently they are lack of channels to voice their concerns. With this GPN, the Ministry has established a channel allowing all parties to jointly discuss and find ways to overcome the problem of consumer.

DISTRICT CONSUMER MOVEMENT (GPD)

District Consumer Movement (GPD) is a forum chaired by the Head of Brance of Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism (MDTCC) and the co-chairman is appointed among GPDs, and it’s comittee is consisting of representatives from consumer associations which is district level of the member, representatives from local business organizations, Government agencies at the district level, Consumer Partner and individuals who are active in the field of consumerism. GPD tasks include three (3) of the following main tasks: -

      i. To plan, coordinate and implement activities of consumerism at the districtlevel;

      ii. To  advice to the State Consumers Movement (GPN) on any matters relating to the consumer;

      iii. To help, investigate and address the issues of consumerism at the district level;

      iv. To help to move the Consumer Squad; and

      v. To assist in program / activities organized by the State and branches of MDTCC

CONSUMERS ASSOCIATION OR ORGANIZATION

Ministry is also always supporting the establishment of associations or consumer organizations at district and state levels. In addition, the ministry has also work closely with the association / organization in implementing consumer education programs such as the Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations (FOMCA), Consumers Association of Penang (CAP), the Muslim Consumers Association Malaysia (PPIM), Association of Protection Consumers Malaysia (PPPM), Consumer and Family, Economics Association of Malaysia (MACFEA), Kuala Lumpur consumer Safety Association (PKP) and state consumer organizations.

DISTRICT ASSISTANT OF CONSUMERISM AFFAIRS (PHEPD)

Ministry has introduced PHEPD on May 1, 2007 for an effort by the Ministry to help to raise awareness and consumer education in the society especially in rural constituencies. This program aims to assist the implementation of the activities conducted by the Ministry through the State Consumer Movement (GPN) and the District Consumer Movement (GPD). The functions of PHEPD are:

      a.    To assist the Ministry in implementing the activities  of consumerism in their respective areas,

      b.    To guide and assist members of the community to make any complaints relating to consumerism.

      c.    To help to distribute flyers, posters, books and other information related to the consumerism to the local community.

RURAL CONSUMERISM PROGRAMS

Rural Consumerism Program is another initiative by the ministry which aims to increase consumer awareness among the people, especially for rural communities. Rural communities who have no knowledge of consumerism are very vulnerable to fraud and abuse. Rural Consumerism program provides exposure, awareness and consumer knowledge to rural communities

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Criteria to be Considered Before Purchase

There are a lot of consumers who often purchase items that are broken, counterfeit and even hazardous.

What are the criteria to be considered before a consumer makes a purchase? Here are the list as provided by the Malaysia's Ministry of Domestic Trade, Co-operatives and Consumerism (MDTCC) on their official website:

• Place of origin of products, including name and address of manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, agents or distributors, group of product, model/stock number and trademark.
• Date of manufacture and expiry date.
• Minimum weight, quantity, amount or load of goods.
• General product information  including content, capacity, user guide and limitations
• Specific descriptions of the product content such as list of materials, the ratio of the ingredients and nutritional information.
• Quality or capability of the product such as sign of approval and grades (e.g.: SIRIM, Suruhanjaya Tenaga).
• Specific terms of sale, including proposed price, discounts and special offers.
• Specific information such as warning, emergency regulations to specific  users (e.g. children).

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Counterfeit Goods by ThinkBe4U

Follow some simple advice when shopping online to ensure you receive the product that was pitched.

ThinkB4U is a project collaboration between Google Inc. and expert safety partners Common Sense Media, ConnectSafely, and the National Consumers League. The project is tackling some of the biggest learning curves thrown at the average user in a fun and interactive way.

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