IX Meeting of Experts on Combating Counterfeit Currency

Inauguration of the IX Meeting of Experts on Combating Currency Counterfeiting

William Cano, Financial Manager of the Banco de Guatemala and Roberto Marino, Advisor to the General Director of CEMLA welcomed the participants in the IX Meeting of Experts on Combating Currency Counterfeiting from various regions of the world.

They commented that the strong turnout at this meeting reflects the growing interest in the topic across the various areas that make up central banks and also highlights the benefits of holding this type of meeting in a hybrid format, which allows for in-person and electronic participation.

They noted that the diversity and heterogeneity of the participants enrich these meetings, and we learn from each other by sharing our ideas and experiences. They emphasized that the exchange of information related to combating currency counterfeiting will be of great benefit to all participants. They commented that, as a result of this meeting, ideas and discussions will be inspired on ways to strengthen the fight against counterfeiting, which has a significant impact on our economies.

They emphasized that the speakers at this meeting would share their countries' experiences on various topics of interest, including: developments identified in the last three years regarding the techniques used by counterfeiters, the crackdown on counterfeiters, the impact of adequate training on the timely detection of counterfeiting activities, and international statistics on counterfeiting, among others.

They noted that today they will hear the speakers' experiences in combating counterfeiting, as well as the measures they are continually implementing. For example, strengthening security by issuing banknotes with cutting-edge security features to help stay ahead of counterfeiting; undertaking educational campaigns and conducting outreach activities by teaching the public, businesses, and police how to detect counterfeit banknotes; and continuously improving the quality of currency, from printing new banknotes to monitoring those already in circulation, ensuring that worn banknotes are replaced efficiently and in a timely manner, and ensuring that the banknotes handled in daily transactions are of good quality, making them easy to verify and use.

They commented that currency counterfeiting has a significant impact on society. The financial impact on individuals or businesses of receiving counterfeit currency can be significant, and it can seriously undermine public confidence in the currency.

They emphasized the importance of cooperation between central banks and the need for joint work in combating currency counterfeiting. They also commented on the critical need to invest in counterfeit deterrence activities, including research and development of new security measures and counterfeit analysis centers.

First day, October 2

First session, presentations were made on the general situation of counterfeiting in their countries and updates on the techniques used by counterfeiters. Presenters included Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Spain, Guatemala, and Uruguay.

Second session, International Counterfeiting Statistics, presented by Jorge Amago, Head of the Cash Appraisal Technical Office, Banco de España.

Third session, procedure for sending counterfeit banknotes from Latin America (presentation on the case of Chile and exchange of other experiences), María José Fernández, Director of the Cash Department, Banco de España.

Fourth session, Challenges in coin authentication, presented their experiences, Ricardo Trejo, Deputy Manager of Attention to Currency Counterfeiting, Banco de México, María del Carmen Álamo Urbina, Head of the Cash Analysis Division of the Banco de España, Bibiana Gordillo Díaz, Head of Section, Monetary Species Studies, Industrial Technical Department, Banco de la República, Colombia.

Fifth session: Joint and coordinated work between the Bank of the Republic and judicial authorities, focusing on specialized training and strategic outreach. Presented by Bibiana Gordillo Díaz, Head of the Monetary Species Studies Section, Industrial Technical Department, Banco de la República, Colombia.

Sixth session, Tour de table: Presentations on the general situation of counterfeiting in their countries and developments regarding the techniques used by counterfeiters, were presented by Trinidad and Tobago, Chile, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Colombia.

Seventh session, Regulatory-institutional structure for the effective fight against counterfeiting of currency, explained by Javier Quinteros Zarzoza, President of the Board of Directors of the OCN of Peru.

Eighth session, Interventions against organized crime in monetary crimes and their impact on the retention of counterfeit currency in national and foreign currency, was presented by Hugo Ramón Espinoza, General Manager of the OCN of Peru.

Ninth session, Protecting Banknotes in a Digital World, presented by Glenn Scott, European Central Bank, Program Director, The Central Bank Counterfeit Deterrence Group (CBCDG).

Tenth session, Methodology and results of the counterfeit quality assessment in Mexico, with focus group validation, presentation by Ricardo Trejo, Deputy Manager of Counterfeit Currency Response, Banco de México.

Second day, October 3

First session, on Support from the Central Bank of Guatemala to state entities and the general public for the control and reduction of counterfeit quetzal banknotes, presented by Eddy García, Head of Special Investigations, Banco de Guatemala.

Second session, Exchange of best practices in combating counterfeiting, presented Patricia Flores, Head of Analysis and Monitoring of Currency Counterfeiting, Banco de México.

Third session, Roundtable: The role of central banks' educational campaigns and activities in combating counterfeiting. The presentation was given by Veronica Balbontín Sepúlveda, Counterfeit Management, Banco Central de Chile. Participants included Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala, and Spain.

Fourth session, Roundtable: Development of counterfeit currency analysis centers. Presented by Acir Oliveira Junior, Federal Criminal Document Examination Expert, Policía Federal do Brasil.

Fifth session, Technology platforms for managing counterfeit currency. Using Power BI in counterfeit statistics, presentation by Jorge Amago, Head of the Cash Appraisal Technical Office, Banco de España.

Sixth session, Forensic Document Analysis Laboratory, presented by Ana Lucia Carrera Vela, Specialist Expert, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Forenses de Guatemala.

Seventh session, Conclusions and farewell, Braulio Reyes Alfaro, Deputy Chief of Special Investigations at the Banco de Guatemala, and Roberto Marino, Advisor to the Director General of CEMLA, closed the IX Meeting of Experts on Combating Currency Counterfeiting. They thanked the Banco de Guatemala for sponsoring this meeting and all the participants for sharing their experiences. They considered the meeting to be very successful and beneficial for all participants. They indicated that the next meeting would be held in 2027, at a location yet to be determined.