In Malaga, police arrested a young man who, over two years, set up production and distribution of counterfeit 20, 50, and 100 euro banknotes across Europe. According to police, the suspect, under 25 years old, used his own apartment as a workshop and fulfilled more than 500 orders for clients from 20 countries. His activities were uncovered after a joint investigation with Austrian colleagues and Europol.
During a search of the suspect’s apartment, 30,000 euros in counterfeit banknotes and about 150,000 euros worth of cryptocurrency were seized. According to investigators, the young man had no criminal record, led an ordinary lifestyle, and did not stand out for his spending. To sell the counterfeits, he created a page on the Dark Web, where his services were in high demand and received positive reviews. Payment was accepted exclusively in Monero cryptocurrency, which complicated tracking transactions.
Technology and scale
Unlike traditional counterfeiters working with offset printing presses, the suspect took a more ‘artisan’ approach. He ordered specialized materials, including paper with security threads and holographic elements, from Chinese suppliers. Special metal parts were made to imitate the transparent window on 20 and 50 euro notes, and embossed stamps were used to create watermarks. Among the confiscated equipment were hand presses, guillotines, ink cartridges, foil, and special inks that change color at different angles.
International investigation
The investigation began in the autumn of last year after Austrian police discovered counterfeit banknotes with one of the buyers. The operation also involved the Tax Agency and Europol, which are now coordinating contacts with law enforcement in the countries where the counterfeit money was sent, including Germany, France, and Serbia. Buyers may face charges for distributing counterfeit currency.
Related incidents
One of the orders was intercepted while still in Spain: earlier this year, a young man was detained in Madrid, who admitted to purchasing counterfeit banknotes via the website of the suspect from Malaga. Such cases are not uncommon in the region—previously, Malaga police had already uncovered high-profile crimes related to ransom and kidnapping, as in the case of the arrest of suspects in the kidnapping of a gaming salon manager.
According to police, the suspect’s level of ‘perfectionism’ set him apart from other counterfeiters. He used different names to ship orders and carefully selected materials to improve the quality of the forgeries. Investigators say the price of a single counterfeit note could vary depending on quality, and demand for such services on the Dark Web remains high.
