The public is hereby alerted that the Bank has detected fake P200 and P100 banknotes in circulation. The fake banknotes are photo/scan copies of genuine banknotes. The counterfeit P200 banknotes bear the serial number AA 5134479 and those of the P100 AA 5472611.

The windowed security threads appear as black patches at the back of the counterfeit banknotes. Further more, the fake banknotes are made of ordinary commercial paper, and therefore, have a smooth surface when compared to genuine banknotes.

Genuine P200 and P100 banknotes have holographic stripes appearing as a wide silver coloured stripe on the front of the respective banknote denominations. The holographic stripe of a P200 has an image of the Botswana coat of arms and switching images of a zebra’s head and the numeral “200”.

Similarly, the holographic stripe of a genuine P100 banknote has a Botswana coat of arms and switching images of a diamond and the numeral “100”. The switching images on each banknote should not all appear at the same time, but should switch from one to the other when the banknote is tilted from side to side.

Furthermore, each of the genuine P200 and P100 has a windowed security thread, which changes colour from red to green, according to the viewing angle. When held up to the light, the thread can be seen as a continuous line reading “BoB 200” and “BoB 100” in respect of the P200 and P100, respectively.

The public is urged to be vigilant and exercise caution when accepting banknotes from any source, and should closely examine the specified security features. Any suspicious banknotes discovered should beimmediately reported to the nearest Police station or Bank of Botswana offices in Gaborone or Francistown.

For further information, please contact:

Mr. Andrew Sesinyi

Head of Communications

Tel: 3606083