BSP seeks NBI help to pursue those behind currency hoax

“No other person or entity, public or private (other than the BSP), may put into circulation notes, coins or any other object or document which, in the opinion of the Monetary Board, might circulate as currency, nor reproduce or imitate the facsimiles of Bangko Sentral notes without prior authority from the Bangko Sentral,” it said. (Photo: Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas/Facebook)

MANILA — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has sought the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) assistance in tracking down individuals or groups that have been maliciously posting photos of defaced Philippine currencies on social media.

This is in connection with recent online and social media posts that contain fictitious Philippine currencies, the BSP said in a statement on Friday.

The NBI has also been requested to look into the identities of those who have initiated the circulation of “fake news” to deceive the public or generate entertainment from manipulated images of Philippine banknotes and coins on social media or any website on the internet.

“No other person or entity, public or private (other than the BSP), may put into circulation notes, coins or any other object or document which, in the opinion of the Monetary Board, might circulate as currency, nor reproduce or imitate the facsimiles of Bangko Sentral notes without prior authority from the Bangko Sentral,” it said.

The BSP added that it is vested with police authority to investigate, make arrests, and conduct searches and seizures in accordance with law, for the purpose of maintaining the integrity of the currency.