A NEW PUBLIC Awareness initiative was launched by the gardaí today to highlight how dye-stained banknotes are proceeds of crime.
Gardaí have joined with the IBF, An Post, the Credit Unions and cash-in-transit operators to emulate a scheme running in the UK for the past decade.
The groups want to let the public know that banknotes that are obviously stained with blue, red or green ink have been obtained through illegal efforts, including commercial and armed robberies.
The notes are stained once the security box carrying them is opened unlawfully. The ink explodes to permanently mark the legal tender.
“The aim of Banknotewatch.ie is to prevent criminals from profiting from the proceeds of crime and reduce the risk of businesses becoming the victim of commercial robbery,” explained Assistant Commissioner Derek Byrne.
He noted that the numerous robberies against cash-in-transit operators have had “devastating effects” on workers.
“Whether injuries are sustained or not during a cash-in-transit robbery, the ordeal can be horrifying. Serious and organised crime strikes fear into the heart of communities. In my view, anything that can be done to deny an avenue for the release of this money will less the attractiveness of the crime and is to be welcomed.”
The message from gardaí to the public is that a dye-stained note is a stolen note and criminals benefit if they are circulated through consumers.
“Don’t give the criminals an outlet,” continued Byrne. “It is a form of money laundering.”
It is thought that there could be hundreds of thousands of euro of dye-stained notes in circulation in Ireland currently but the IBF were slow to provide an exact figure.
If a consumer has come into possession of a dye-stained note, they should take it to their bank branch, credit union or visit the Central Bank website to access the mutilated note return form.
Byrne said an investigation would then commence but assured the public that they will not be out of pocket and receive a refund. The note is then destroyed.
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