Law enforcement agencies from across the world have struck a major blow against international counterfeit operations, seizing nearly one million fake items valued at over €66 million ($76.9 million). The six-month campaign, coordinated by Europol, highlights the growing sophistication of counterfeit networks as well as the global nature of the problem.

The operation, which ran between October 2024 and March 2025, involved authorities from 18 countries and was led by Austria, Portugal, and Spain. During this period, investigators intercepted 297 suspicious parcels through international postal networks and opened 102 new cases targeting groups moving counterfeit euros, US dollars, and British pounds. The seizures included more than $72 million worth of counterfeit banknotes, much of which turned out to be so-called “movie money”-currency props designed for film production but increasingly misused by criminals for fraud and scams.

According to Europol, the investigation revealed that counterfeiting hubs are not confined to Europe alone. Networks span Asia, the Americas, and the Middle East, underscoring the global scope of illicit money printing and distribution. These operations exploit weaknesses in international postal systems, e-commerce platforms, and dark web marketplaces to distribute counterfeit goods to unsuspecting buyers or criminal collaborators.

One of the most significant breakthroughs came in Romania, where authorities confiscated $600,000 in fake currency. Europol noted that much of this consisted of high-quality notes capable of fooling the untrained eye. While not perfect imitations, they are often convincing enough for........

© Blitz