Badalona counterfeit currency operations have been dismantled following a major police investigation into a sophisticated family-run criminal network.
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The Mossos d’Esquadra arrested seven individuals in connection with distributing high-quality fake €100 bills allegedly produced by the Italian Camorra mafia in Naples.
According to recent police reports, the group comprised four women and three men from the same family who operated primarily in the San Roc neighbourhood of Badalona.
Their criminal activities extended across multiple municipalities including Sant Adrià del Besòs, Santa Coloma de Gramanet, and Barcelona.
Badalona Counterfeit Network Uncovered
Police launched their investigation in January after detecting a significant increase in reports of counterfeit €100 notes being used in commercial establishments throughout Badalona and surrounding areas. Consequently, officers from the Central Currency Forgery Unit began mapping criminal patterns to identify where these fake bills were entering circulation.
The European Central Bank considers these particular forgeries particularly dangerous due to their high printing quality and convincing imitation of security features. Furthermore, investigators discovered the group employed minors during transactions to distract cashiers while passing the counterfeit notes.
These sophisticated fakes belong to what authorities call the ‘Naples group’ forgeries, which remain the most widespread counterfeit currency circulating throughout Catalonia and Spain. Their longevity stems from the production capabilities of illegal printing presses controlled by the Camorra criminal organisation.
The counterfeit bills reproduce the old euro series design, making them exceptionally difficult to detect without careful examination. However, one distinguishing feature involves the purple-coloured facial value printed on the reverse side, which fails to change colour to green when tilted, unlike authentic currency.
This investigation highlights ongoing concerns about organised crime networks operating across European borders. Meanwhile, local businesses are being advised to remain vigilant when handling high-value notes and to verify security features thoroughly.
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