Statement from the CBRT regarding the counterfeit dollar crisis

Due to counterfeit foreign currency, many exchange offices and some banks have suspended the buying and selling of certain denominations of dollar banknotes. A statement regarding the matter has been issued by the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT). 

The statement included the following: "Our Bank is carrying out the necessary efforts in coordination with the relevant judicial authorities as part of an effective fight against banknote counterfeiting." 

STATEMENT FROM THE TBB

A statement on the matter also came from the Banks Association of Turkey (TBB). The statement said, "In order to combat counterfeit foreign currency and prevent its circulation, checks and updates are being performed on money counting, counterfeit detection, and ATM machines currently in use." 

An investigation has also been launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the reports of counterfeit dollars. 

In the statement issued by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was stated: "An ex officio investigation has been initiated by our Smuggling, Narcotics, and Economic Crimes Investigation Bureau to research the issues of Istanbul-based counterfeit money printing and distribution, which have been brought to the agenda on social media and in some press outlets." 

Some banks, which had been issuing warnings to their branches regarding 'counterfeit dollars' for some time but had left the decision on buying and selling to branch discretion, announced as of yesterday that the purchase of "50-dollar bills and older-issue 100-dollar bills" had been temporarily suspended.