The Indonesian National Police (Bareskrim Polri) and Bank Indonesia (BI) have officially destroyed 466,535 counterfeit banknotes at the Bank Indonesia headquarters in Gambir, Central Jakarta. The operation, conducted on Wednesday (May 13), finalized the disposal of illicit currency accumulated and recovered between 2017 and November 2025.
To ensure the counterfeit notes could never re-enter circulation, officials utilized high-capacity shredding machines to reduce the bills into small, unrecognizable fragments. This destruction process stands as a testament to the authorities’ commitment to financial integrity and public security.
Deputy Chief of Bareskrim Polri, Inspector General Nunung Syaifuddin, stated that the destruction process serves as a mechanism for accountability and transparency. “The counterfeit banknotes being destroyed today are the result of non-judicial processing in accordance with established legal mechanisms and regulations,” Nunung explained during a press conference at the Bank Indonesia headquarters.
According to Nunung, the shredded notes were originally identified by commercial banks and subsequently handed over to the Directorate of Special Economic Crimes at Bareskrim Polri. “The total volume of 466,535 banknotes in various denominations was collected over an eight-year period, spanning from 2017 to November 2025. By destroying them, we provide absolute assurance that this counterfeit currency will not circulate in the community again,” he added.
The legal basis for this operation was established by the Central Jakarta District Court through decree number 01/Pen.Mus/2026/PN Jakarta Pusat, issued on January 23, 2026. Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia, Ricky P. Gozali, noted that the figure represents a total accumulation of public reports, bank findings, and national-scale cash deposit processing over the last five years.
Despite the high number of destroyed notes, Bank Indonesia reports that the prevalence of counterfeit currency in Indonesia is on a steady decline. Data indicates that the counterfeit ratio has dropped significantly, now hovering near 1 PPM (part per million)—meaning there is approximately one counterfeit note for every one million authentic notes in circulation.
“We have seen a positive trend. Previously, the ratio was at 5 PPM, but through our combined efforts, this has decreased to near 1 PPM by 2025,” Ricky concluded, highlighting the success of the ongoing collaborative efforts between law enforcement and the central bank in protecting the national currency.
Summary
Bank Indonesia and Bareskrim Polri have officially destroyed 466,535 counterfeit banknotes collected between 2017 and November 2025. The operation utilized industrial shredding machines to ensure these illicit notes are permanently removed from circulation and cannot be reused. This action underscores the commitment of both institutions to maintaining financial integrity and transparency within the national economy.
The destroyed currency, processed under a formal court decree, represents the total accumulation of findings reported by commercial banks and public authorities over the past eight years. Despite the volume of these notes, Bank Indonesia reports a significant decline in counterfeit prevalence, with the ratio dropping from 5 PPM to approximately 1 PPM. This positive trend highlights the success of ongoing collaborative efforts between law enforcement and the central bank in safeguarding the Indonesian Rupiah.