Fake $100 Paʻanga Notes Enter Circulation as NRBT Warns Public to Stay Alert
The National Reserve Bank of Tonga has warned businesses and the public to carefully check banknotes after identifying counterfeit $100 paʻanga notes from the latest 2023 King Tupou VI banknote series circulating in the community.
The National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT) has confirmed that counterfeit $100 paʻanga banknotes have entered circulation, warning that additional fake notes may still be in the hands of the public.
The counterfeit notes have been designed to resemble the genuine 2023 series $100 paʻanga banknotes featuring His Majesty King Tupou VI. However, the NRBT said the fake notes do not contain several key security features used to protect the integrity of Tonga’s currency.
The central bank has urged members of the public, particularly businesses that regularly handle cash, to remain vigilant when accepting $100 notes and to check that they contain the required security features.
Genuine $100 paʻanga banknotes include a number of security measures that are missing from the counterfeit notes, including:
- A watermark showing His Majesty King Tupou VI together with the lighter “NRBT” text, visible when the note is held up to the light;
- An embedded Nexus security thread featuring the heilala flower, Tongan kupesi, and the denomination “100”;
- Ultraviolet (UV) features, including the serial number, denomination markings and “NRBT” lettering visible under UV light;
- Correct banknote dimensions matching the official $100 paʻanga note.
NRBT Governor Moeaki has warned that the public should take extra care when conducting cash transactions, particularly during the festive season when the volume of cash payments typically increases.
The Governor said there could be more counterfeit $100 notes still circulating and encouraged businesses and individuals to carefully inspect banknotes before accepting them.
While Tonga continues to rely heavily on cash for everyday transactions, the impact of counterfeit $100 notes may be limited by the fact that the denomination is not the most commonly used note in daily purchases. However, because it carries the highest value among Tonga’s circulating banknotes, it remains an attractive target for counterfeiters.
Higher-value notes are also more likely to receive closer scrutiny from customers and businesses before being accepted, making awareness and early detection an important defence against further circulation.
Retailers, market operators, service providers and other cash-based businesses are being encouraged to familiarise themselves with the security features of genuine banknotes.
The NRBT has made information on banknote security features available through its website, while printed information pamphlets can be obtained free of charge from the Bank’s office.
The production, possession, distribution or knowing use of counterfeit currency is a serious criminal offence.
Anyone who receives a suspected counterfeit banknote or believes they have been given a fake note is advised to report the matter immediately to the NRBT or the nearest police station.
