This counterfeit banknote lacked the following security features present in the genuine $20 pa’anga banknote:
- The watermark of the King’s effigy with a lighter text reading NRBT. This is visible when the banknote is held up to the light;
- a security thread embedded in the banknote; and
- ultraviolet fluorescent – showing the denomination of the banknote on the front of the note.
The Reserve Bank is concerned that there could be more of such $20 pa’anga counterfeit banknote circulating around.
The Reserve Bank has prepared a pamphlet outlining security features on a genuine pa’anga note to assist members of the public in identifying genuine pa’anga notes and counterfeits. Pamphlets are available free of charge from the NRBT or can be downloaded from the Reserve Bank website on www.reservebank.to
The public is hereby advised to check all banknotes particularly the $20 pa’anga new designed banknote before accepting them.
Counterfeit banknotes carry zero value and will not be accepted by the Commercial Banks or the Reserve Bank.
The Public is urged to report any counterfeit banknotes to the Reserve Bank. Makers and distributors of counterfeits are breaching Section 59 and 61 of the Criminal Offences Act 1988.
Kuo ma’u ‘e he Pangikē Pule Fakafonua ‘o Tonga ha lau’i pa’anga ‘e $20 ‘i he pa’anga fo’ou ko ia ‘oku hā ai ‘a e ‘imisi ‘o ‘Ene ‘Afio Kingi Tupou VI, pea kuo ‘osi fakamo’oni’i ko e lau’i pa’anga loi.
Ko e lau’i pa’anga loi ko eniʹ, ‘oku ‘ikai ke hā ai ‘a e ngaahi faka’ilonga malu’i fakapulipuli ‘a ia ‘oku totonu ke hā ‘i ha lau’i pa’anga mo’oni, ‘o hangē ko eni:
- ‘i he tafa’aki to’ohema ‘o e fofonga ‘o e lau’i pa’anga, ‘oku totonu ke hā ai ‘a e ‘imisi ‘o ‘Ene ‘Afio Kingi Tupou VI pea mo e fo’i lea ko e NRBT ‘i ha seakale fuopotopoto hinehina, ‘a ia ‘e toki malava pē ke ke mamata kiai ‘i he taimi ‘oku ke puke hake ai ‘a e lau’i pa’anga ki he maama (watermark);
- ko e filo malu’i ngingila ‘oku tuiaki faka-kongokonga mei ‘olunga ki lalo ‘i he lau’i pa’anga; pea
- ‘i hono hulu’i ‘aki ‘a e maama vāleti (UV) ‘a e fofonga ‘o e lau’i pa’anga, ‘oku ne fakapapau’i mai ‘a e mahu’inga totonu ‘o e lau’i pa’anga koia.
‘I he‘ene pēhē, ‘oku ‘iai ‘a e tokanga makehe mo e hoha’a ‘a e Pangikē Pule Fakafonua ‘o Tonga, telia na’a ‘oku ‘i ai ha ngaahi lau’i pa’anga $20 loi ‘oku lolotonga ngāue’aki ‘e he kakai ‘o e fonua, kae ‘ikai ke nau mea’i pe fakatokanga’i.
Ko ia ai kuo ‘osi teuteu’i ‘e he Pangikē Pule ha fanga ki’i tohi fakahinohino ‘a ia ‘oku fakaikiiki atu ai ‘a e ngaahi faka’ilonga malu’i fakapulipuli ‘o e lau’i pa’anga mo’oniʹ, ke tokoni ki he kakai ‘o e fonua ‘i hono fakapapau’i mo fakafaikehekehe’i ‘a e lau’i pa’anga mo’oni mei he lau’i pa’anga loi. ‘Oku ma’u ta’etotongi atu ‘a e fanga ki’i tohi fakahinohino ko 'eni mei he Pangikē Pule.
‘Oku ‘oatu ai heni ‘a e fale’i ki he kakai ‘o e fonuaʹ, ke mou kātaki ‘o vakai’i ma’u pe ‘a e lau’i pa’anga pepa kotoa pē ‘oku mou ngāue’aki tautautefito ki he lau’i pa’anga $20 fo’ou kimu’a pea ke toki tali ia ke ke ngaue’aki. Ko e pa’anga loiʹ, ‘oku ‘ikai ke ‘i ai hano mahu’inga fakapa’anga pea ‘oku ‘ikai ke tali ia ‘i he ngaahi Pangikē Fakakomēsiale pē ko e Pangikē Pule.
Koia ‘oku kole atu ai ki he kakai ‘o e fonuaʹ, ke mou līpooti mai leva ki he Pangikē Pule ha pa’anga pepa loi ‘oku mou ma’u pē tauhi. Pea ‘oku fakatokanga atu foki heni kiate kimoutolu kotoa pē ‘oku mou ngaohi pē tufaki ‘a e ngaahi lau’i pa’anga loi ko eni, ke mou mea’i ‘oku mou maumau’i ‘a e lao hotau fonua ‘i he Kupu 59 mo e 61 ‘o e Lao ki he Ngaahi Hia 1988.
