Counterfeit Prevention

The Central Bank of Samoa takes counterfeiting of the Samoan currency (banknotes and coins) very seriously and responds by researching and developing new security features that are difficult to copy but easy to use. The Bank works closely with local law enforcement to monitor and respond to counterfeiting activity and also promotes awareness of how the public can easily detect counterfeits from genuine currency.

Counterfeiting Laws in Samoa

Any person other than the Bank that produces counterfeit currency or offers it to someone else in the course of trading is liable to a criminal offense of 14 years imprisonment.

Furthermore, any person who cuts, tears, damages, disfigures, mutilates or writes, prints, stamps any currency also commits a criminal offence. These offences are in accordance with the newly enacted and enforced Central Bank of Samoa Act 2015.

It is also an offence to be in possession of a forged bank note(s) without a lawful excuse or a proper excuse. Hence, if you are in possession of a forged bank note without a lawful or proper excuse, then you will be liable. If, however, you received the forged bank note and you will then report it to the police or to the Central Bank of Samoa, then this offence will not apply to you. The possession of forged bank notes is an offence under the Crimes Act 2013.