Manufacturers of banknotes are in an ongoing battle with counterfeiters. Discuss this, giving examples of methods used to make currency difficult to counterfeit and how the counterfeiters try to overcome these obstacles.
Currency counterfeiting is an advanced technical crime whose evolution has been inextricably linked to scientific progress and development.In recent years, as printing methods, computer systems and means of communication have spread across many countries, so hastrading counterfeiting currency.Thus in order to combat the threat and reduce its effect, there has been a necessary interdependence betweenstates and citizens of those states.Whereas overall economies are negatively impacted by counterfeiting, the international sports merchandise market is particularly affected.The major brands fearthe loss of their market share as well as theirworldwide reputations for high standards.
The Oxford English Dictionary defines the word counterfeit as “made in exact imitation of something valuable with the intention to deceive or defraud”[1].Today, the crime of counterfeiting is poses a considerable risk to the economic futures of many countries and financial situations of individuals. Recent advances in the technology of photography and computers, as well as printing devices, has made the production of counterfeit money relatively easy, increasing the risks no end [2].Once upon a time, counterfeiters were faced with a difficult and high-cost task. They needed the capability to make complex metal plate designs and access to immense printing presses. These days, counterfeiting couldn’t be easier what with the ubiquity of PCs, scanners and colour printers. With such equipment, bogus currency can be created in a matter of minutes.
The conflict between manufacturers and counterfeiters has never been so active, but efforts are being made to add signs of security to genuine currency.This is possible through technical means (specific quality printers, scanners, high definition software) and through practical, human means i.e. the role of the banks in producing failsafe paper notes.These policies are helping to catch counterfeiters out and hold them responsible for their crimes.
One or more five printing methods are normally used to produce counterfeit currency: screen, printing through a porous materialintaglio or gravure; office machine copier, copies made directly from genuine currency; printing from a depressed surface; Letterpress, printing from a raised surface and offset lithography, printing from a plane or flat surface. Office machine copiers and printers are increasing in popularity as methods of production.
The office machine copier "OMC" industry has in recent times expanded immensely.There is now a greater public demand for such machines and the technology has moved beyond the OMC and into digital stencil duplicators, full colour copiers, thermal printers, ink jet copiers, laser printers and multi-purpose machines.Given how accessible and user-friendly these machines are, it is not difficult to understand how the application of OMCs in crimes of fraud hasskyrocketed.Certain techniques in the world of printing i.e. laser desorption mass spectrometry (LDMS) constitute effectual tools for the examinationof staining. Inkjet printers now tend to utilise dyes and pigments which results in rigidity, making the analysis of simpler methods such as thin layer chromatography no longer doable. Recent developments in pigmented inks, such as gloss optimizers that are coated with pigment particles, have been banned by the analysis of staining LDMS[3] [4] .
Researchers are thus interested in the study of various types of manufacturers of currencies as well as in analysing inks in order to establishwho their owners are. The classification and identification of colour photocopiers by FT-IR and GC/MSindicate that samples were collected from the ink and counterfeit money printed from the colour cameras belonging to the same six manufacturers. Spectral analysis was carried out of the infrared spectral match between the extracted powder of standard inks and ink within each of the forged copies, checked banknotes and documents. The results identifiedcertain manufacturers and models, with the exception of one plant whose identity was only determined partially. Inks are generally characterized and classified into different categories. In the investigation process, ink is normally extracted from the counterfeit money processed by the cameras of suspects through the construction of a library Switch Infrared Data. The results of the gas chromatography/mass spectrometry suggest that the ink can be used as a complement [5]
Manufacturers protect their currencyin a number of ways, the most important related to printing and security. Printing processes differ between countries but commonly bank notes must pass through three stages: offset printing, intaglio printing and letterpress printing.With the offset litho method, printing plates move the ink to the paper by an intermediate offset roller. This process is used to print most of the details on the front and back of the note with the exception of certainimages such as the President or King of the given nation, or the lettering and numbering. First of all, the background design is printed viaa dry offset technique on a printing press specially designed for printing high-precision colour patterns on either side of each sheet simultaneously.This way the creation of excellent registered designs is made possible, as is the capacity to see through designs when viewedagainst transmitted light.This is well-known to be one of the most efficient techniques for discouragingthe criminal activity of counterfeiting.
Intaglio printingis a processwhereby bank notes are printed from a plate comprising small depressions filled in with ink so that they can be transferred to the paper by precise contact and pressure.This is achieved after the non-printing areas have been fully cleaned. The result produced ishighly textured images of fine detail and vivid tones that make counterfeiting extremely difficult.This procedure is used, for example to add imagesto the bank note such as the raised print on the front and that of Her Majesty the Queen. Specifically, at the start of the process, ink sits in grooves engraved in the printing plate. When the plate presses against the paper the ink is ‘drawn’ from the plate onto the paper under very high pressure. Banknotes then have a resultant tactile feel to them which frustrates attempts at counterfeiting very effectively. Finallyletterpress printingis used for the cipher and serial numbers located on the front of the note. Ink is moved onto heightened letters and digits which are then printed onto the note.The quality of the printingis thus very high, with the lines and shades on banknotes beingfine, clear and smudge-free.[6][7][8].
Other major aspects of currency protectionareits security features, which are highly dependent on the manufacturer and the value of the currency.Most countries are keen to institute a number of security features to defy the efforts of counterfeiters.One example is raised characteristics that can be immediately recognized by touch and vision in print andanalysable by water. Further examples include embossed features such as pictures, letters and numbers on the front and back. Raised features should appear broken when they are genuine, but not when held against the light. Certain aspects of the note such as its serial number should appear to be green when viewed under ultraviolet light. Away from such light, the number should be black.
Paper Features
Adifferent kind of paper is manufactured for each kind of banknote needing to be produced. Banknote paper is originates from cotton pulp which means it is that much more durable than commercial paper and possesses a very distinctive touch and feel that cannot generally be mistaken for other sorts of material. Most of the time, it is the initial feel of a counterfeit note that prompts suspicions in an individual and a desire totake a closer look at what they are holding. If bank note paper is held under ultra violet light it appears dull in comparison to commercial papers.The paper manufacturing method allows for a number of features to be added. A specialist paper manufacturer is responsible for making all the bank notes of the Bank of England. Cotton fibre and linen rag are the two key materials involved and these help to make it tougher than common wood-based papers. Large amounts of water are used to break the cotton down into fibres before being reconstitutedinto high-quality reams of new paper. The engraved watermark design is integrated into the paper at the manufacturing phasejust like the metallic thread is. Banknotes made with such high-standard enjoy a fine texture that is completely unique. This is because the substrate is cotton-based rather than originating from wood pulp, as commercial paper usually is[7].
The Watermark
The watermark is one of the key security features most visible on the paper of a bank note. The image on the note must be held up to the light so that its authenticity can be established. The watermark image is determined by the thickness of various papers, while the light watery areas are the result of the thinner sheet. Sometimes the effect of light "very thin" paper is utilized as a security effect and added in specific areas within a watermark, for example, as part of a “highlight” in comparison with the main body of the watermark. The watermark serves an excellent purpose as a security feature. A counterfeiter is very unlikely to have the ability or equipment to manufacture of special kinds of paper. Having said that, there are some ways that watermarks can be simulated. There are two types: true watermarks and artificial watermarks. A specific tool called a dandy roll is used to draw a true watermark by being pressed against the paper pulp while it is drying out. Particular features and details on the dandy roll will pass on to the paper pulp in order to construct an image. The origin of the term‘watermark’ lieswith the fact that the markings are made at the point at which the pulp is still watery and wet.
During the printing process a bogus watermark is used. These are createdwith specially formulated inks which will only reveal themselves atparticular angles or under conditions likedark light. Such watermarks are cheaper than authentic watermarks and can be adapted for use by individuals with specific requirements. On the downside, expert counterfeiters can fake them with plenty of ease. You will tend to find artificial watermarks on such documents as personal cheques and passports[7][8].
Security thread
Threads are embedded within paper fibre and may be completely invisible or possess a star burst effect. In the latter instance, the thread appears to snake in and out of the paper when looked at from a specific angle. However when the paper is held up to the light the thread will always take the form of a solid line. Features can be added to the thread material e.g. adding materials so they fluoresce under ultraviolet light or micro printing on a transparent plastic thread. This thread is a difficult feature to fake but some criminals have been known to print a narrow grey line or a fine line of inkacross the thread.
Minuscule messages can be added to designs and printed via both litho and intaglio methods. In the majority of counterfeiting techniques such messages are completely missing, meaning that genuine printers should use messages as an effective security measure. Interestingly enough, euro banknotes comprise a security thread embedded into the paper near the centre of the note. This can be seen quite clearly when held under a light[9].
Fluorescent Inks
It is possible to add materials which fluoresce under ultra violet light to the majority of inks. They can be incorporated into either a design element that is visible or invisible (i.e. printed as a transparent aspect). All is revealed as soon as you look at the note beneath a UV light. In the graphic below it is clear to see what the note shows under such conditions. The number 10 will have been printed only as an invisible aspect. The paper’s fibres can also be seen in this situation. Many governments around the world have decided to use this security feature on their paper currency. If one passes a genuine $50 Barbadian banknote under a UV light, one will be able to view a security thread that shines bright blue while the text itself appears a yellow hue. Further to this, the Coat of Arms turns these colours, as do the wave patterns. Another experiment that can be tried is placing a British £20 note underneath a good and effective ultraviolet light emitting 350 nanometres or more. You’ll see the digits (20) turn green and red. Aside from this little colourful specks can be seen across the bank note. None of this can be seen without the aid of UV light [9][10].
Optically Variable Inks
Optically variable inks (OVI)are well-known for featuring very small flakes of special film that tend toalter in shade and colour as the angle of viewing is itself altered. The outcome is an ink comprising just this same optical property, altering in shade and colour as the angle of viewing is itself altered. Such inks are generally very pricey and are customarily used only in small areas. A silk screen process is sometimes utilized to print an OVI feature. Fortunately OVI provides first-rate protection from all known counterfeiting methods[9].
Colour-shifting ink
When viewed at an angle, the ink of the numeral in the bottom right-hand side of a note appears a copper colour. When viewed directly and not at an angle, the ink looks green [11].
Micro printing
Micro printing is a unique format which can only be read using a magnifying glass and blurs easily when copied.Located atunexpected places on each denomination, microprinting is also a good protection against fakery.You will find it located along the fringes of the first three letters of the US $20 bill situatedbeside the portrait and in the border below the Treasurer’s signature[11]
Foil Holograms
Counterfeiters can be opposed with a number of other security features. When considering the foil hologram of a 2002 Series $100 Euro banknote, try tilting the note and watch as a picture of a building and a monetary value appear as if from nowhere. Such a protection is ordinarily only afforded tohigher-value notes to stop criminals from bleaching lower-valueones. The British £50 note possesses a unique foil section near the portrait of the Queen and shows a reflective rose and medallion. [7]
Holographic strip
Every banknote has a strip in the same position on it. Many foil patches along its length contain ever-changing holograms. The positioning of the patches is irregular and different in order to deter counterfeiters. A holographic image of the economist Adam Smith is revealed when one tilts the note while another holographic image depictsan alteration between a multi-coloured pound sign and the digit “20”. This latter feature is replicatedon the strip and situated in the same place on every note,slightly to the right of the signature of the Chief Cashier[7].
Feature effectiveness While it is very difficult to say with certainty which are the most important features on current notes, some indicators help us to make differentiations that can help in the struggle against criminal counterfeiting:
The general public are known to be most familiar with the overall “look” and “feel” of the note. This is how they judge whether the note is authentic or fake.When a banknote looksor feels different then alarm bells are raised. Aspects that might prompt suspicion area peculiar-looking security strip, blurred watermark, colour-shifting ink, not-so-fine lines, and lack of microprinting.
The features most used by current machine readers are ultraviolet fluorescence, the transmissive optical spectrum, infrared properties,magnetic patterns, printed image, and ultraviolet spectrum. Low-end readers might sense just the one feature; high-end readers may call upon numerous measurements to establish the authenticity of each note.
Blind people most commonly feel for tactile features when suspicious about the veracity of currency.
Interestingly, both general and blind users mentioned the importance of the physical feel of the paper money. Machine readers do not tend to use some of the most obvious counterfeit-deterrent features such as substrate properties, security strips, the Federal Reserve seal, watermark, colour-shifting inks and microprinting because they are not easy to find and verify. The general public also tend to be wary of utilising such features, with even experienced cash handlers counted in this number [12].
In conclusion, we can say that there is definitely a conflict between the fact that counterfeiting has been made easier by the advent of certain technologies (printers, computers, etc.) and the use of new and ingenious security features by bona fide manufacturers.Such features make it difficult for criminals toreproduce the authentic kind of paper.Other efforts can be made such as educating people about the seriousness of counterfeiting and withdrawing bogus currency from circulating the market.