Good quality counterfeit Money is still circulating in Calasparra according to the Deputy Mayor, José Veléz and the Head of the Consumer Department, Madu Dolores Gomariz, who appeared in a special investigative programme on Spanish television over the weekend.
In August last year the local police and the Guardia Civil arrested three people in Calasparra on suspicion of passing false 50 euro notes by making purchases in local businesses.
Due to cooperation between the European Central Bank, Interpol and the police some 293,000 false bills were withdrawn from circulation in the first three months of last year. In Spain the bills preferred by counterfeiters are the 20€ and 50€ notes.
Readers who are unfortunate enough to hold a counterfeit note are warned that passing a false note is an offence and carries a fine of up to 600 euros.
Although the counterfeits are good quality they can be detected. Genuine notes have a dark vertical security strip; a hologram which changes and gives the value of the note; and a variable colour tint which passes from purple to olive green to brown.
If you are in doubt you can seek advice from the Consumer Advice Office in Calle Mayor.
