Organised crime at its worst: How fake banknotes were distributed across Hungary
A well-organised group was found to have been manufacturing and distributing large quantities of counterfeit notes. The case is being investigated by the Cegléd Police Station, and the Buda District Court has already ordered the arrest of two suspects. The group produced 2,000, 10,000, and 20,000 forint banknotes, which they attempted to place in shops with the help of acquaintances.
During the investigation, the authorities found a number of objects and tools linked to the crime in the home of the younger suspect. For example, the authorities seized photocopied banknotes of HUF 20,000, as well as laptops and colour printers used for counterfeiting. They also found 17 banknotes with the same serial number and a total of 2,000 forints, which clearly prove the illegal activity.
According to Portfolio, similar results were obtained during a search of the older suspect’s residence. In January, counterfeit banknotes with the same serial numbers were found in several locations in a town in Pest County.
Arrest decisions and grounds for arrest
The court ordered the arrest of the suspects based on their criminal records and the seriousness of the offence. According to the authorities, the suspects were subject to previous criminal proceedings, which increases the risk that they may commit further offences. There is also a risk that they could obstruct the investigation while at large.
The Buda District Court heard the suspects and ordered their arrest until the 24th of February 2025. While the prosecutor took note of the decision, the lawyer for the younger suspect filed an appeal. The older suspect’s lawyer was not present and, therefore, has three days to appeal. Although the decision is not final, immediate execution was ordered.
A similar fake banknote case
In a separate but also noteworthy case, the National Investigation Bureau of the Hungarian Police Service launched an investigation in May 2024 after a whistleblower handed over counterfeit euros marked “prop copy.” According to Index, the case traced back to a 62-year-old man from Budapest, in whose possession the authorities found 3,207 counterfeit banknotes.
The seized banknotes included 936 EUR 100 and 1,944 EUR 50 notes with the same serial number. In addition, 327 “suspected counterfeit” USD 100 notes were found. None of the banknotes had security features, and the feel of the banknotes was different from the original, making the counterfeiting clear. In the 62-year-old man’s home, not only were counterfeit notes found, but also ten paintings, the origin and ownership of which he could not prove. The police sent the paintings for expert examination to determine whether they were fakes or possibly stolen.
During his interrogation, the man confessed that he had obtained the counterfeit banknotes from China years ago for gambling purposes and had no intention of putting them into circulation. However, the authorities are continuing to investigate whether there were accomplices and whether a crime was committed in connection with the paintings.
The two different cases revolve around the same crime—counterfeiting—but were carried out by different means and with different methods. The first case involves the activities of an organised criminal group that attempted to counterfeit and put into circulation the Hungarian forint. In the second case, an elderly man was involved in an international counterfeiting operation involving euros and dollars. Both cases highlight the serious consequences of counterfeiting and the need for effective action by the authorities. This type of crime not only causes economic damage but also undermines confidence in financial systems.
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