Counterfeit money

Counterfeit money

From Bisnis Indonesia

In a Bank Indonesia press release on Aug. 26, 1998, it was stated that counterfeit money in circulation amounted to only 0.01 percent and not 5 percent, as reported in the press.

Bank Indonesia has appealed to the community to join in the eradication of counterfeit money by reporting it to the authorities or to Bank Indonesia.

From the following events it can be seen that Bank Indonesia's recommendation cannot be responded to.

My driver told me that he withdrew Rp 3.5 million from Bank BRI Fatmawati branch. When he deposited the money with Bank Dana Asia in Kuningan, the bank declared one Rp 10,000 banknote to be counterfeit. Another customer was found to have two counterfeit banknotes.

Strangely, the counterfeit money was "confiscated" by Bank Dana Asia, so that the victims could not report the incidents for lack of evidence.

How could customers know whether their banknotes are false because at that bank, there is no ultraviolet equipment. If one has such equipment at home, the bank paying out the money would deny that the money originated from them. Their reason being is that any shortage in money or any counterfeit money can only be claimed before a customer leaves the counter.

It has been suspected that counterfeit money is channeled via insiders in a bank.

I suggest that banks make ultraviolet equipment available to customers, and any counterfeit money should be returned to the customer with a stamp saying "counterfeit money", thus allowing the victim to report it to the authorities.

SUNARTO P.

Jakarta