Polish ABW agents raided a facility near Warsaw on April 21, 2026, arresting four individuals and dismantling a counterfeit Euro production operation.
Operation Targets Organized Crime Group
On April 21, 2026, agents of the Internal Security Agency (ABW), acting on the direction of the Kraków Branch of the Department for Organized Crime and Corruption of the National Prosecutor’s Office, detained four individuals in the Mazowieckie Voivodeship.
The detainees are suspected members of an organized criminal group intending to produce and circulate counterfeit Euro banknotes.
Production Facility Discovered
ABW agents identified the group’s structure, the roles of its members, and the locations of their illegal activities – the production of counterfeit banknotes and the storage of necessary materials.
During the raid, authorities discovered a professional production line, including 3 tons of specialized paper, holographic foil, safety lines, magnetic strips, and watermarks. These materials could have been used to produce counterfeit banknotes with a total value of 360 million Euros.
The facility also contained samples of counterfeit banknotes used to test the quality of the forgeries against security features found in ATMs. Some of the counterfeit currency was intended for circulation in Ukraine.
Sophisticated Forgery Techniques Employed
The counterfeiters enhanced their skills by attending specialized training courses offered by professional entities, gaining detailed knowledge of security features used in the production of genuine currency.
Searches of the detainees and associated individuals also revealed Polish and foreign currency, collectible coins, firearms, and ammunition.
Legal Consequences and Ongoing Investigation
The detainees face charges of participation in an organized criminal group and counterfeiting banknotes. Two have been remanded in custody for three months, while others are subject to property bonds, police supervision, and travel restrictions.
Those convicted could face up to 25 years in prison.
Coordinated Law Enforcement Action
The successful operation prevented the production and circulation of counterfeit Euro banknotes, thanks to the coordinated efforts of law enforcement agencies.
The ABW’s actions were supported by the Border Guard and the Military Gendarmerie.
The investigation remains ongoing and is developing.
Source Attribution
Internal Security Agency