Though counterfeit currency is not often encountered in Latvia, development of new technologies requires paying more attention to protection of banknotes and coins. Many experts consider the lats among those world currencies that are best protected against counterfeiting. Due to numerous security features, the yearly number of counterfeits is very small. Counterfeiting of the lats does not pose any threat for the Latvian national economy.

Only a few dozen counterfeit banknotes and a few thousand counterfeit coins appear in Latvia during the year. Most of these forgeries are produced with the help of the latest technology, such as colour copiers, scanners etc. while some are manufactured by quite primitive methods.

Article 192 of the Republic of Latvia Criminal Law, under the title "Production or Dissemination of Counterfeit Currency and Government Securities", is included in the Chapter "Crimes against the National Economy", thus emphasizing the serious nature of this crime.

Production of counterfeit banknotes and coins of the Bank of Latvia, government securities or foreign currency for the purposes of dissemination, as well as the dissemination itself carry a 3-10 year prison term with or without confiscation of property. If said activities are committed repeatedly or on a large scale or are committed by an organised group, they are punishable with imprisonment of 5-15 years and confiscation of property.

Counterfeiting is defined as production, by any means, of new banknotes and coins similar to those in circulation. Dissemination of counterfeits is defined as "putting counterfeit currency into circulation" by using it as payment for goods or services or repayment of debt, presenting it, or by any other method.

Number of Discovered Counterfeit Banknotes and Coins

Amount of Discovered Counterfeit Banknotes and Coins (in lats)

Amount of Discovered Counterfeit Banknotes and Coins (1994-2011)   (20.50 Kb)