Two arrested at Gare du Midi with €60,000 of false money

Two people were stopped at Brussels Midi station, in possession of no fewer than 319 false €200 notes – a total of €63,800 in fake money – Brussels federal police have announced.

The individuals, already known for committing these types of crime, were questioned on suspicion of committing fraud and theft.

Widespread use of the euro, the second most traded currency in the world, makes it particularly vulnerable to counterfeiting and fraud.

According to the European Central Bank (ECB), financial loss from counterfeit euros identified in Europe from 2002 to 2013 came to at least €500 million.

Penalties for using counterfeit money in Europe are high – from five to 10 years in prison. And those who make the false cash are jailed from 15 to 20 years.

In the Middle Ages, it was much worse. Punishment meant an instant death penalty – with forgers boiled alive or burned at the stake.