RBI/2022-23/07
DCM (FNVD) G –1/16.01.05/2022-23

April 1, 2022

The Chairman/ Managing Director /Chief Executive Officer
All Banks

Dear Sir / Madam,

Master Circular – Detection and Impounding of Counterfeit Notes

Please refer to the Master Circular DCM (FNVD) G - 1/16.01.05/2021-22 dated April 1, 2021 consolidating the instructions issued till April 1, 2021, relating to Detection and Impounding of Counterfeit Notes. The Master Circular has since been updated by incorporating the instructions issued till date and has been placed on the RBI website www.rbi.org.in.

The Master Circular is a compilation of the instructions issued by RBI on the above subject which are operational as on the date of this Circular.

Yours faithfully,

(Sanjeev Prakash)
Chief General Manager

Encl: As above

INDEX

CONTENTS

RESERVE BANK OF INDIA
DEPARTMENT OF CURRENCY MANAGEMENT
MASTER CIRCULAR – 2022-23

Detection and Impounding of Counterfeit Notes

1. Authority to Impound Counterfeit Notes

The Counterfeit Notes can be impounded by:

1. All Banks

2. Issue Offices of Reserve Bank of India

2. Detection of Counterfeit Notes

2.1 Banknotes tendered over the counter shall be examined for authenticity through machines. Similarly, banknotes received directly at the back office / currency chest through bulk tenders shall also be examined through machines.

2.2 No credit to customer’s account is to be given for Counterfeit Notes, if any, detected in the tender received over the counter or at the back-office / currency chest.

2.3 In no case, the Counterfeit Notes shall be returned to the tenderer or destroyed by the bank branches. Failure of the banks to impound Counterfeit Notes detected at their end will be construed as wilful involvement of the bank concerned in circulating Counterfeit Notes and penalty will be imposed.

3. Impounding of Counterfeit Notes

Notes determined as counterfeit shall be stamped as "COUNTERFEIT NOTE" and impounded in the prescribed format (Annex I). Each such impounded note shall be recorded under authentication, in a separate register.

4. Issue of Receipt to Tenderer

When a banknote tendered at the counter of a bank branch / back office and currency chest is found to be counterfeit, an acknowledgement receipt in the prescribed format (Annex II) must be issued to the tenderer, after stamping the note as in Paragraph 3 ibid. The receipt, in running serial numbers, shall be authenticated by the cashier and tenderer. Notice to this effect shall be displayed prominently at the offices / branches for information of the public. The receipt is to be issued even in cases where the tenderer is unwilling to countersign it.

5. Detection of Counterfeit Notes - Reporting to Police and other bodies

The following procedure shall be followed while reporting incidence of detection of Counterfeit Note to the Police:

5.1 For cases of detection of Counterfeit Notes up to four (04) pieces in a single transaction, a consolidated report in the prescribed format (Annex III) shall be sent by the Nodal Bank Officer to the police authorities or the Nodal Police Station, along with the suspect Counterfeit Notes, at the end of the month.

5.2 For cases of detection of Counterfeit Notes of five (05) or more pieces in a single transaction, the Counterfeit Notes shall be forwarded immediately by the Nodal Bank Officer to the local police authorities or the Nodal Police Station for investigation by filing FIR in the prescribed format (Annex IV).

5.3 A copy of the monthly consolidated report / FIR shall be sent to the Forged Note Vigilance Cell constituted at the Head Office of the bank.

5.4 Acknowledgement of the police authorities concerned has to be obtained for note/s forwarded to them (both for consolidated monthly statement and for filing of FIR). If the Counterfeit Notes are sent to the police by insured post, acknowledgement of receipt thereof by the police shall be invariably obtained and kept on record. A proper follow-up of receipt of acknowledgement from the police authorities is necessary. In case any difficulty is faced by the Offices / Branches due to reluctance of the police to receive monthly consolidated statement / file FIRs, the matter may be sorted out in consultation with the Nodal Officer of the police authority designated to coordinate matters relating to investigation of Counterfeit Notes cases. The list of Nodal Police Stations may be obtained from the concerned Issue Office of the Reserve Bank of India.

5.5 In order to facilitate identification of people abetting circulation of Counterfeit Notes, banks are advised to cover the banking hall / area and counters under CCTV surveillance and preserve the recording as per their internal policy.

5.6 Banks shall also monitor the patterns / trends of such detection and suspicious trends / patterns shall be brought to the notice of RBI / Police authorities immediately.

5.7 The progress made by banks in detection and reporting of Counterfeit Notes to Police, RBI, etc. and problems therein, shall be discussed regularly in the meetings of various State Level Committees viz. State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC), Standing Committee on Currency Management (SCCM), State Level Security Committee (SLSC), etc.

5.8 The data on detection of counterfeit Indian notes at bank branches shall be included in the monthly returns forwarded to the concerned Issue Office of the Reserve Bank of India as indicated in para 10 below.

5.9 The definition of 'counterfeiting' in the Indian Penal Code covers currency notes issued by a foreign government authority as well. In case of suspected foreign currency note received for opinion from the police and government agencies, etc., they shall be advised to forward the case to the Interpol Wing of the CBI, New Delhi after prior consultation with them.

5.10 The Government of India has framed Investigation of High Quality Counterfeit Indian Currency Offences Rules, 2013 under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967. The Third Schedule of the Act defines High Quality Counterfeit Indian Currency Note. Activity of production, smuggling or circulation of High Quality Counterfeit Indian Notes has been brought under the ambit of UAPA, 1967.

6. Examination of the Banknotes before Issuing over Counters, Feeding ATMs and Remitting to Issue Offices of the Reserve Bank of India

6.1 The banks shall re-align their cash management in such a manner so as to ensure that banknotes in the denominations of ₹100 and above are not put into re-circulation without the notes being machine processed for authenticity. The said instructions shall be applicable to all bank branches, irrespective of the volume of daily cash receipt. Any non-compliance will be construed as violation of the Directive No.3158/09.39.00 (Policy)/2009-10 dated November 19, 2009 issued by the Reserve Bank of India.

6.2 In order to obviate complaints regarding receipt of Counterfeit Notes through ATMs, and to curb circulation of Counterfeit Notes, it is imperative to put in place adequate safeguards / checks before loading ATMs with notes. Dispensation of Counterfeit Notes through the ATMs would be construed as an attempt to circulate the Counterfeit Notes by the bank concerned. This shall also be applicable to White Level ATM Operators in terms of circular DPSS.CO.OD.No.1916/06.07.011/2018-19 dated March 7, 2019

6.3 Detection of Counterfeit Notes in chest remittances is also liable to be construed as wilful involvement of the chest branches concerned in circulating Counterfeit Notes and may attract special investigation by police authorities, and other action like suspending the operation of the chest concerned.

6.4 Penalty at 100% of the notional value of Counterfeit Notes, in addition to the recovery of loss to the extent of the notional value of such notes, will be imposed under the following circumstances:

a) When Counterfeit Notes are detected in the soiled note remittance of the bank.

b) If Counterfeit Notes are detected in the currency chest balance of a bank during Inspection / Audit by RBI.

7. Designating Nodal Bank Officer

Each bank shall designate a Nodal Bank Officer, district-wise to serve as the contact point for all Counterfeit Note detection related activities and notify the same to the concerned Issue Office of the Reserve Bank of India and Police Authorities. All cases of reporting of Counterfeit Note detection as indicated in Para 5 shall be done through the Nodal Bank Officer.

8. Establishment of Forged Notes Vigilance Cell at Head Office of Bank

8.1 Each bank shall establish at its Head Office, a Forged Note Vigilance (FNV) Cell to undertake the following functions:

1. Dissemination of instructions issued by the Reserve Bank of India on Counterfeit Notes to bank’s branches, monitoring the implementation of these instructions, compilation of data on detection of Counterfeit Notes, and its submission to Reserve Bank of India, Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND) and National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) as per extant instructions and follow-up of cases of Counterfeit Notes with police authorities / designated nodal officer.

2. Sharing of the information thus compiled with bank’s CVO and report to him / her all cases of acceptance / issue of Counterfeit Notes over the counters.

3. Conducting periodic surprise checks at currency chests where shortages / defective / Counterfeit Notes etc. are detected.

4. Ensuring operation of Note Sorting Machines of appropriate capacity at all the currency chests / back offices and closely monitoring the detection of Counterfeit Notes and maintaining the record of the same.

5. Ensuring that only properly sorted and machine examined banknotes are fed into the ATMs / issued over the counters by putting in place adequate safeguards, including surprise checks, both during the processing and transit of notes.

8.2 FNV Cell shall submit status report on a quarterly basis, by e-mail, covering the aforesaid aspects to the Chief General Manager, Department of Currency Management, Reserve Bank of India, Central Office, Amar Building, Fourth Floor, Sir P. M. Road, Fort, Mumbai 400 001 and to the Issue office of the Reserve Bank of India under whose jurisdiction the FNV Cell is functioning, within a fortnight from the conclusion of the quarter.

8.3 In order to update the record of the addresses of the FNV Cells, the bank shall furnish by e-mail, in the prescribed format (Annex V), the particulars to the Chief General Manager, Department of Currency Management, Reserve Bank of India every year, as on 1st April.

9. Provision of Devices Facilitating Detection of Counterfeit Notes

9.1 With a view to facilitating the detection of Counterfeit Notes, all bank branches / identified back offices shall be equipped with ultra-violet lamps / other appropriate banknote sorting / detection machines. In addition, all currency chest branches shall be equipped with verification, processing and sorting machines and shall be used to their optimum capacity. Such machines shall conform to the guidelines on 'Note Authentication and Fitness Sorting Parameters' prescribed by the Reserve Bank of India.

9.2 The banks shall maintain a daily record of the notes processed through the Note Sorting machines, including the number of counterfeits detected.

9.3 The banks shall also consider providing at least one counting machine (with dual display facility) for public use at the counter.

10. Reporting of Data to RBI / NCRB / FIU-IND

10.1 By All Bank branches

Data on Counterfeit Notes detected by all the branches of the bank shall be reported in the prescribed format, on a monthly basis. The report (Annex VI) showing the details of Counterfeit Notes detected in the bank branches during the month shall be compiled and forwarded to the concerned Issue Office of the Reserve Bank of India so as to reach them by 7th of the next month. A “Nil” report shall be sent even in case where no counterfeit note has been detected during the month.

10.2 Under Rule 8 (1) of Prevention of Money Laundering (Maintenance of Records) Amendment Rules, 2013, Principal Officers of banks shall report information on cash transactions where forged notes have been detected to FIU-IND, by the 15th day of the succeeding month, by uploading the information on the FINnet Portal. Similarly, data on Counterfeit Note detection shall be uploaded on the web-enabled software of NCRB, New Delhi at their website.

11. Preservation of Counterfeit Notes Received from Police Authorities

11.1 Counterfeit Notes received back from the police authorities / courts shall be carefully preserved in the safe custody of the bank and a record thereof be maintained by the branch concerned. FNV Cell of the bank shall also maintain a branch-wise consolidated record of such Counterfeit Notes.

11.2 These Counterfeit Notes at branches shall be subjected to verification on a half-yearly basis (on 31st March and 30th September) by the Officer-in-Charge of the bank concerned. They shall be preserved for a period of three years from the date of receipt from the police authorities.

11.3 Counterfeit Notes, which are the subject matter of litigation in the court of law shall be preserved with the branch concerned for three years after conclusion of the court case.

11.4 After the preservation period, such notes shall be sent to the concerned Issue Office of the Reserve Bank of India with full details of the case.

12. Detection of Counterfeit Notes - Training of Staff

12.1 It is necessary to ensure that the cash handling staff in banks are fully conversant with the security features of a banknote.

12.2 With a view to educating the branch staff on detection of Counterfeit Notes, the design and security features of all the banknotes shown in Annex VII have been supplied to all the banks with instructions to display them prominently at the branches for information of the public. Details of security features of the New Design banknotes of ₹2000, ₹500, ₹200, ₹100, ₹50, ₹20 and ₹10 are available at the link https://paisaboltahai.rbi.org.in.

12.3 The Controlling Offices / Training Centers shall also organise / conduct training programmes on the security features of genuine Indian banknotes for all bank personnel handling cash to enable detection of Counterfeit Notes at the point of receipt itself. These trainings shall cover detection, impounding and reporting of Counterfeit Notes. The Reserve Bank of India will provide faculty support and training materials, whenever necessary.

Annex I

Counterfeit Banknote Stamp

Each banknote, which on examination of various security features / parameters, is determined as a counterfeit one, shall be branded with a stamp "COUNTERFEIT BANKNOTE". For this purpose, a stamp with a uniform size of 5 cm x 5 cm with the following inscription may be used.

Annex II

Acknowledgement Receipt to be Issued to the Tenderer of Counterfeit Notes

Name of the Bank:
Address:

Serial Number of the Receipt: ________
Date: __________

The note (s) described below received from……………………………. (Name and Address of the tenderer) is/are counterfeit and has/have therefore been impounded and stamped accordingly.

Total number of Counterfeit Notes:

(Signature of the Tenderer)

(Signature of the Counter Staff)

(Official Seal)

Annex III

Consolidated Monthly Report to the Police

Date: _____________

Name of the Bank:
District:
Name and Address of the Nodal Bank Officer:
Ref. No. …………

The Inspector of Police
___________Police Station,

Consolidated Report for the month of ________

Detail of Counterfeit Notes:

2. The Counterfeit Notes are enclosed for information and necessary action.

3. Kindly acknowledge receipt.

Yours faithfully,

Authorised signatory
Official Seal
Encl:

Annex IV

Request for FIR to the Police

Date: _____________

Name of the Bank:
District:
Name and Address of the Nodal Bank Officer:
Ref. No. …………

The Inspector of Police
___________Police Station,

Dear Sir,

Detection of Counterfeit Note/s – Request for investigation

We enclose the following Counterfeit Notes detected in our office on ________. The details of the Counterfeit Notes are furnished below.

2. As the printing and/or circulation of forged Indian Currency Notes is an offence under Sections 489A to 489E of the Indian Penal Code, we request you to lodge FIR and conduct the necessary investigation. In case it is decided to file criminal proceedings in the court of law, you may first arrange to send the notes to any of the Note Printing Presses, Forensic Science Laboratories, etc. in terms of the provisions of Section 292(1) and 292(3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure for examination. The expert opinion furnished may be produced in the court as evidence under Section 292 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The forged notes may please be returned to us after the completion of the investigation and/or proceedings in the court of law along with the detailed report of the investigation / decision of the court.

3. Please acknowledge receipt.

Yours faithfully,

Authorised Signatory
Official Seal
Encl:

Annex V

Particulars of Forged Note Vigilance Cell (FNVC) To RBI

(TO BE FURNISHED BY E-MAIL ON 1ST APRIL EVERY YEAR)

We note to intimate immediately the changes, if any, in the particulars furnished above.

Name of Authorised Official:
Designation
Date:

NB: The completed format, in MS-Excel, shall be transmitted by e-mail.

Annex VII

Designs of Bank Notes Issued by the Reserve Bank of India since 1967

Annex VIII

List of Circulars Consolidated in this Master Circular