A man was arrested on 3rd April on suspicion of defrauding an elderly woman in Setúbal following the entry into circulation of the new note of 50 euros
The Territorial Command of the Republican National Guard (GNR) of Setubal said that the man, 69, was “a bank employee and approached the victim in her residence convincing her to give him all the 50 euro banknotes that she had them at home to change them for new ones. ”
The suspect claimed that the old banknotes would go out of circulation and fled towards Setúbal, according to the GNR.
“The old woman gave 28 banknotes of 50 euros to the suspect who fled towards Setúbal,” the GNR said, adding that “after learning of what happened, the military began proceedings that allowed them to locate and intercept the suspect still in possession of the stolen money” .
The man was subject to term of identity and residence.
The new 50 euro note, the most used in the euro zone, entered into circulation on 4th April, with authorities believed to be safer than the current note of the same value that is more counterfeit.
The new orange note will circulate at the same time of the current note of the same value, and there is no need to exchange the old notes.
Also, GNR said on Tuesday it was carrying out awareness-raising actions to prevent fraud related to the entry into circulation of the new 50 euro note.
The GNR warned that “there is no one mandated by any banking institution to collect the old 50 euro banknotes and that, should they come across such proposals, they should contact” the nearest GNR post.
To make sure the grade is not false, GNR advises citizens to use the “Play, Watch and Tilt” method.
Thus the consumer must feel the relief print on the left and right sides, observe in the light to see “a portrait of Europe, figures representing value and the main motif, as well as a small window-shaped cutout” and tilting the note so as to “see the emerald number with an up and down movement light effect”.
This hologram presents a picture of Europe and the figures representative of the value of the note.