Counterfeiters are targeting children

SOME counterfeit notes are obvious to detect, especially by people who handle money on a daily basis, but for children who do not handle money frequently, especially large denominations, it may not be so simple.

The concern is that forgers producing counterfeit notes may launder the fake money through the hands of unsuspecting children.

A teenager at Swakopmund recently had a rude awakening when the N$50 note he wanted to use to pay for something was handed back to him because it was fake. Looking back, he remembered that the note was given to him by someone he was travelling with in a shuttle from Windhoek to Swakopmund, and who had asked if he had change for N$50. He was returning to the coast after the holidays.

The note was given to , and at quick glance it looked like the real thing. But it did not take long to see that it was a poor copy. It was a simple colour copy on heavier paper, and the various security features on it were completely out of line or missing. Even the edges were not cut evenly. Nevertheless, it slipped into circulation, and someone – a child – lost out.

The counterfeit note was handed in at the police station, and sent to the Bank of Namibia for further investigation. The bank’s spokesperson, Fillemon Nangonya, said the bank will respond to questions in 48 hours .