The National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT) hereby alerts the public and businesses, of the increasing circulation of counterfeit banknotes in Tonga. These counterfeits include the following:
- $100 pa‘anga (King Tupou V series) – These notes are printed on clear plastic material to imitate the transparent window feature of the genuine $100 pa’anga note. It should be noted that the genuine $100 pa’anga note is not printed on plastic material.
- $5 pa‘anga (King Tupou VI 2015 series) – These notes are printed on ordinary paper in an attempt to replicate the design of the 2015 $5 series.
- $50 pa‘anga (King Tupou VI 2015 series) – These notes are printed on plain paper with no serial numbers, and are smaller in size compared to a genuine banknote.
The NRBT believes that there are more counterfeit banknotes still in circulation. The public is therefore urged to carefully inspect all banknotes before accepting them. Informal businesses that deal only in cash are particularly vulnerable. You can visit our website to learn more about the security features of a genuine banknote, or pick up a free pamphlet from our office.
Illegal production, possession, or knowingly using counterfeit currency, is a serious criminal offence. Please report any suspicious currency to the NRBT, or the nearest police station.
For further clarification or to report counterfeits, please contact the:
Currency Department
National Reserve Bank of Tonga
Telephone (676) 24 057: Fax (676) 24 201
Email:
Website: www.reservebank.to
