The public are warned to be on the lookout for fake $50 paʻanga notes being used in the kingdom.
The National Reserve Bank of Tonga has received three $50 paánga notes of the new design currency confirmed to be counterfeit notes.
The Reserve Bank is concerned that there could be more of such $50 counterfeit notes in circulation.
These counterfeit notes lack the following security features present in every genuine $50 pa’anga note:
- the watermark of the King’s effigy which can be clearly seen when it is held up to the light, and
- a shiny silver thread as a clear window visible in the center of the note (obverse side) and a wider more solid silver (reverse side) showing images of the national medal.
The public is hereby advised to check all notes particularly the $50 new design note before accepting them.
Counterfeit notes carry zero value and will not be accepted by the banks or the Reserve Bank.
The Public is urged to take any counterfeit notes to the National Reserve Bank of Tonga.
Makers and distributors of counterfeits are breaking Section 59 and 61 of the Criminal Offences Act 1988.
