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North Macedonia and Serbia bust counterfeit cash gang

Serbian authorities recovered more than 180,000 counterfeit euro notes, while over 500,000 were seized in North Macedonia. Photo:
Serbian authorities recovered more than 180,000 counterfeit euro notes, while over 500,000 were seized in North Macedonia. Photo: Abdulselam Durdak/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
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Authorities in North Macedonia and Serbia, supported by Europol, have dismantled a criminal network producing and distributing counterfeit euro banknotes, officials said on Wednesday.

A joint investigation team comprising law enforcement from both Balkan nations conducted coordinated raids on February 2, arresting 12 suspects, seizing over 680,000 fake notes, machinery for producing counterfeit currency, and various electronic devices.

Serbian authorities recovered more than 180,000 counterfeit euro notes, while over 500,000 were seized in North Macedonia.

Investigators also confiscated cash in multiple currencies, mobile phones, and laptops, which will be analyzed as part of ongoing inquiries.

On the day of the raids, Europol deployed personnel to North Macedonia and Serbia to provide on-site technical support and cross-check seized materials against Europol and European Central Bank databases.

The operation was supported by Eurojust, an EU agency bringing together prosecutors and judges from across the bloc, which enabled real-time information exchange and provided technical assistance.
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