Ahead Of Eid, Beware Of Counterfeit Money Circulation

JAKARTA - Ahead of the celebration of Eid al-Fitr 1446 Hijri, there is usually an increase in cash transactions in markets, shopping centers, and new money exchanges into moments that are often used by irresponsible persons to distribute counterfeit money (upal).

This phenomenon often occurs every year so that people need to increase their vigilance. One example of the case occurred in Sidoarjo, East Java. The joint team of Satreskrim Sidoarjo Police and Porong Police arrested four counterfeit money dealers, two of whom were husband and wife (couple) each with the initials S alias KJL, AY, TC alias MJ, and SBU.

From the hands of the perpetrators, the police confiscated counterfeit notes of Rp100,000 and Rp50,000 with a total value of Rp7.4 million. These perpetrators used the transfer mode through bank transfer services. They used upal for transfers at a shop in Pamotan Village, Porong, Sidoarjo.

"After being transferred, the victim received payment money. When examined, it turned out that the money was fake. This was known after being examined, both touching and using a light (ultraviolet)," said Sidoarjo Police Chief Kombes Pol Christian Tobing, in a press statement, Tuesday, March 25.

Apart from Sidoarjo, similar cases during Ramadan this year also occurred in Karanganyar. The Karanganyar Police Satreskrim arrested a gang of counterfeit money dealers, namely TW alias Iwan (37), IW Apalia Ika (29), and N alias Nur (25).

Head of Public Relations of the Karanganyar Police, Iptu M Sulistiawan Abdillah, explained that the circulation of counterfeit money was uncovered from one of Robiatul Adawiyah's BRI Link agents in Sumberejo, Kerjo, Karanganyar, who was visited by an unknown person last Friday, March 21.

The perpetrator made a cash deposit transaction worth Rp. 1 million. At that time, the perpetrator was driving a white Agya car. Robiatul was suspicious of asking her husband for help to check the money at the BRI Karangrejo Unit Office. "It turned out that the money was actually declared fake by Bank BRI Karangrejo Unit officers, then the incident was reported to the Karanganyar Police," said the Head of Public Relations.

In Indonesia, the circulation of counterfeit money is a serious crime regulated in Article 36 of Law Number 7 of 2011 concerning Currency. Perpetrators who produce and distribute counterfeit money can be subject to a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to IDR 50 billion. In addition, those who deliberately store or use counterfeit money can also be charged with the law.

The counterfeit money confiscated by the West Jakarta Police/ Photo: IST

"It's okay"

"It's okay"

"It's okay"

"It's okay"

BI Anticipates The Rise Of Upal Circulation

Bank Indonesia (BI) also spoke about the rampant cases of counterfeit money circulation, especially ahead of Eid al-Fitr. This year, Bank Indonesia is preparing a distributionable money (ULE) of IDR 180.9 trillion to meet the needs of the community during the Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr period which are distributed through bank withdrawals and rupiah currency exchange services.

Head of the BI Money Management Department, Anwar Bashori, said that exchanging money through a buying and selling mechanism outside BI's official services and banking has a high risk for the public, including its authenticity is not guaranteed, it is difficult to determine the accuracy of the amount, to be prone to fraud which can harm the community financially.

"As we all know, money is actually a symbol of state sovereignty that must be upheld and should be treated properly. For this reason, Bank Indonesia urges people to use rupiah as a means of payment in transactions in Indonesia properly and not to make rupiah money a commodity traded," he said in his official statement quoted on Thursday, March 27.

To overcome the public's losses due to upal, BI appealed to optimize the use of the Rupiah Exchange and Withdrawal application (PINTAR), including for access to exchange services at banking counters.

This exchange service refers to the provisions of Bank Indonesia Regulation (PBI) No.21/10/PBI/2019 concerning Rupiah Money Management (PUR) and Member Regulation of the Board of Governors (PADG) No.19/13/PADG/2017 concerning Rupiah Exchange which applies equally to the entire community.

In addition, PBI PUR has regulated that the exchange service to the community is carried out by Bank Indonesia, banks operating in Indonesian territory, and other parties appointed by Bank Indonesia.

"For this reason, Bank Indonesia urges the public to only exchange rupiah in official Bank Indonesia and banking services so that their authenticity is guaranteed and their safety is maintained," Anwar continued.

Anwar said, BI also provides thematic exchange services through mobile cash at several strategic points in Indonesia. This cash is certainly free of charge. The reason is, throughout Ramadan and ahead of Eid, many individuals take advantage of this moment of opening money exchange services at additional costs.

"All cash services around Bank Indonesia do not charge any fees from the public so that people or travelers who still need small rupiah denominations can visit cash services around Bank Indonesia to get access to exchange rupiah money which is guaranteed to be safe and comfortable," he said.

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

"It's okay"

"It's okay"

"It's okay"

"It's okay"

How To Distinguish Original And Upal Money

In order not to become a victim of the circulation of counterfeit money, the public needs to understand how to distinguish it. Bank Indonesia has socialized the 3D method, namely seen, touching, and being seen as the basic step in recognizing the authenticity of money.

The method is seen - pay attention to the color and image on the money. The original money has a sharper color and does not fade.

Diraba - real money has a rough texture in certain parts, especially in the main picture and the nominal numbers.

Ditewang - there is a watermark in the form of a hero's image and a safety thread that will be clearly visible when scanned towards light, especially ultraviolet light. The safety feature of real money is only seen under UV rays, such as smooth, glowing fibers.