Dutch authorities help block €1.2 billion in fake money in major Europol operation

Authorities from 18 countries have worked together in a coordinated police and customs operation to stop approximately €1.2 billion in counterfeit cash from reaching the public. The operation, which included the Dutch police and customs, focused on criminal networks that circulated fake currency through the mail.

The initiative, called Operation DECOY III, was coordinated by Europol and led by authorities in Austria, Portugal, and Spain. Other countries involved included France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Poland, Spain, the UK, and the U.S.

Between June and November 2025, the operation uncovered and seized 379 postal packages suspected of carrying counterfeit currency. Authorities seized over 7 million units of counterfeit currency during the operation, including roughly 4.8 million euros, 2.3 million U.S. dollars, about 23,300 British pounds, and approximately 4,800 Swiss francs.

Combined, these fakes had a nominal value of around 1.2 billion euros, money that was kept out of circulation thanks to the coordinated action.

Europol reported that most of the counterfeit money was shipped to Europe through the mail. About 90 percent of the seized packages either came directly from China or were routed to Europe via Chinese networks, the agency said.

“The seizures led to the launch of a further 70 investigations into the criminal networks,” Europol said, highlighting how the operation has prompted dozens of new inquiries, with additional arrests and prosecutions expected across several countries. Officials stressed that the operation was vital to stop large volumes of fake currency from threatening financial stability and defrauding the public.

While the operation involved multiple countries, the Netherlands frequently serves as a transit and checkpoint hub in European police operations because of its strategic location and logistics network. The high volume of postal and package traffic, through major distribution centers and the Rotterdam port, means Dutch authorities routinely seize thousands of counterfeit euro banknotes each year via banks, shops, and the police.