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The Commercial Crime Bureau (CCB), in total, discovered 29 pieces of the new variation of counterfeit HK$1,000 banknote (2003 series) from December 23 to today (December 27). Among them, 22 were counterfeit Bank of China $1,000 banknotes (including five seized on December 23) and seven counterfeit HSBC $1,000 banknotes.
The seven counterfeit HSBC $1,000 banknotes, new variation of counterfeit banknotes firstly surfaced in Hong Kong, were seized at a bank on KingĄ¯s Road, North Point this morning.
Similar to the new variation of counterfeit Bank of China $1,000 banknotes seized earlier, the distinguishable differences between the new variation of counterfeit HSBC $1,000 banknotes (2003 series) and the genuine banknotes are as follows:
* Pattern: The genuine banknote has a detailed pattern with strong embossed feeling, while the counterfeit banknote shows a relatively poor pattern with flat embossed feeling.
* Watermark: The watermark on the genuine banknote shows better contrast.
* Denomination Numeral in Optical Variable Ink: The Denomination Numeral of the genuine banknote shifts between gold and green color when it is viewed at different angle, while the color of counterfeit banknote shifted between matted golden brown and grayish green.
* Holographic Windowed Thread: The edge of the Holographic Windowed Thread on the genuine banknote is uneven, while the edge of Holographic Windowed Thread on the counterfeit banknote is even.
* Fluorescent Barcode: Under ultraviolet light, the color of the fluorescent barcode on the genuine banknote shows a vivid yellow, while on the counterfeit banknotes, it shows a pale yellow.
CCB is closely monitoring the situation and are proactively conducting investigations against the new variation of counterfeit HK$1,000 banknotes. Police will strengthen the intelligence gathering and cooperation with the law enforcement agencies and relevant stakeholders especially the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the banks to combat the counterfeit currencies in Hong Kong.
Police appeal to the public that upon receipt of suspected counterfeit banknotes, they should immediately hand it over to Police or banks. They should not attempt to reuse suspected counterfeit banknotes, otherwise they might commit the offence of "Passing counterfeit notes" under Section 99 of Crimes Ordinance, Chapter 200, the Laws of Hong Kong.
Police have set up a hotline for public enquiries. The number is 2860 5012.
Add Police Report No. 212
Issued by PPRB
Ends/Friday, December 27, 2013
Issued at HKT 20:16
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