Members of a criminal group involved in producing high-quality counterfeit euro banknotes have been arrested in a cross-border operation supported by Europol.
The investigation was led by the Italian Carabinieri and also involved authorities from Austria, Belgium, France, Germany and Spain. Investigators believe the criminal group counterfeited banknotes worth an estimated €180,000.
The operation took place on 7 April and resulted in three suspects being arrested in Italy and 600 counterfeit euro banknotes being seized in denominations of EUR 10, 20, 50, and 100 for a total value of around €50,000. A print shop producing counterfeit euro banknotes and an illegal mint (stamping press) were also dismantled.
The investigation, which began in 2024, revealed that a criminal organisation operating in southern Italy was distributing large quantities of counterfeit €10, €20, €50 and €100 banknotes across the eurozone. Austria, Belgium, France, Germany and Spain received most of the fake currency.
The criminal group showed a high level of technical expertise and internal organisation. The gang leader sold the counterfeit banknotes via an online messaging platform, with buyers making payments in cryptocurrency.
Once the payments were confirmed, the fake banknotes were sent through the regular postal service.
Investigators also discovered that the same criminal group had established an illegal 2-euro coin mint in northern Italy. Authorities dismantled the illegal mint during the operation, along with a printshop for counterfeit euro banknotes in southern Italy.
