Douala: Nearly FCFA 100M in counterfeit banknotes seized
By Synthia Lateu
About 100 million counterfeit banknotes, intended for smuggling into the economy, have been confiscated by the Gendarmerie II Legion in Douala.
Petako Tsogwe Clément, allegedly involved in the operation, was arrested after the forged money—packaged in black plastic—was discovered stored on the roof of his house. The investigation, spurred by rumors, began on February 1 , 2025 and led to the apprehension of this individual, who is believed to reside in Bonamoussadi, neighborhood Douala 5, and is suspected of distributing counterfeit currency to local merchants and others.
Commander Bobodji Bello Jean of the Douala II Gendarmerie Legion explained that “a search at his residence from 10 PM to 2 AM revealed a significant amount of counterfeit banknotes, totaling approximately 100 million CFA francs and 72 million in denominations from the Central Bank of West African States.”
He highlighted the threats posed by such counterfeit notes to the economy and detailed the modus operandi of the criminals, urging the public to remain vigilant. “The targets are often individuals responsible for exchanging large sums of money. This is how counterfeit banknotes infiltrate the market. If you count the money without verifying the authenticity of the notes, you risk falling into that trap,” he cautioned.
In light of the dismantling of this network, the Gendarmerie has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the public and maintaining financial integrity.
Recently, a significant volume of counterfeit Central African Franc (CFA) banknotes has reportedly infiltrated some towns in Cameroon. Forgers began counterfeiting the new range of FCFA banknotes issued on December 15, 2022, only months after their introduction. Many individuals fell victim to these counterfeit notes, as they were unfamiliar with the new currency features.
These banknotes incorporate advanced security features, both visible and invisible, which the Bank of Central African States (BEAC) claims make them “virtually counterfeit-proof.” However, BEAC acknowledged that some counterfeiters have managed to circumvent these security measures. They urged the public to exercise caution during transactions and to ensure that the bills they receive are genuine.
