Police Crack Down on Underground Counterfeit Currency Rings Across Israel
Israel Police uncovered underground facilities producing fake ten-shekel coins and one-hundred-shekel bills, with officials estimating at least 25 clandestine counterfeiting operations nationwide.
Israel Police have dismantled an underground counterfeit network producing massive quantities of fake ten-shekel coins and one-hundred-shekel bills. Law enforcement estimates that at least 25 clandestine facilities operate across the country, turning out counterfeit currency on a round-the-clock basis.
In a recent raid, officers from the Central Unit and Border Police stormed two luxury villas in Ariel, uncovering a sophisticated underground mint equipped with industrial lathes, molding machinery, and tens of thousands of raw materials. Police suspect the operation was backed by criminal elements from the Triangle region and intended to flood markets, supermarkets, taxi drivers, and local kiosks across central Israel. Three suspects were arrested and later released as the investigation continues.
Simultaneously, authorities have noted a shift toward forging one-hundred-shekel banknotes rather than the heavily scrutinized two-hundred-shekel bills, alongside emerging counterfeits of two and five-shekel coins. Criminal syndicates reportedly utilize Telegram and front operatives to distribute the fake money, generating millions of shekels in monthly revenue while dealing a severe blow to small business owners.
