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