Bank of Mauritius Flags 24 Counterfeit and Tampered Notes in Major Probe

Counterfeit and tampered banknotes circulating within the national banking system have prompted the Bank of Mauritius to formally alert authorities.

A senior official from the central bank lodged an official report at the Pope Hennessy Police Station on 7 May 2026, handing over physical evidence to investigators to assist in a criminal inquiry.

Banking Sector Alert

The suspect currency was identified and flagged between August and December 2025.

During this five-month period, several major commercial institutions—including MCB, SBM Bank Mauritius, HSBC Mauritius, and Bank One—detected the irregularities and surrendered the notes to the Bank of Mauritius for forensic examination.

Scope of the Forgery

Detailed analysis by the central bank confirmed the presence of:

• Fifteen counterfeit notes in denominations of Rs 100, Rs 200, and Rs 1,000.
• Nine tampered notes featuring mismatched serial numbers, suggesting a sophisticated level of alteration.

The seized banknotes have been transferred to police custody. Officers are now expected to trace the origin of the forged currency as part of a wider investigation into the breach of financial security.

Source: Defi Media