Bangladesh Bank on Monday issued a special warning against the growing circulation and promotional use of ‘sample notes’ designed to resemble genuine currency, saying such practices risk fuelling counterfeit activities and destabilising the country’s monetary management system.

In a notice, the central bank said misleading videos and images have recently been circulating on social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, showing the use of oversised or replica ‘sample notes’ closely matching the design and dimensions of authentic banknotes for marketing campaigns and content creation.

It also observed instances where papers resembling real currency are being used in public places and markets for various commercial promotions.

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The central bank cautioned that such activities could indirectly encourage the spread of counterfeit notes and pose risks to overall currency management.

Bangladesh Bank said producing, using or distributing any document, paper or object that resembles a circulating banknote and is capable of causing confusion constitutes a punishable offence under Section 489(e) of the Penal Code, 1860. Legal action will be taken against individuals or institutions found involved in such activities, it warned.

The bank also noted that disseminating false, misleading or rumour-based information through digital platforms may be considered a punishable offence under Section 25 of the Cyber Security Act, 2023.

In this context, the central bank urged the public to remain vigilant to prevent the circulation of counterfeit notes and to refrain from creating or sharing misleading content or engaging in unauthorised promotional activities involving imitation currency.

Calling for greater awareness, Bangladesh Bank advised people to recognise genuine banknotes, ensure secure transactions and visit its official website to learn about the security features of authentic currency notes.

In recent times, many businesses have been distributing promotional leaflets designed to resemble currency notes in an effort to capture public attention.

These sample notes, styled after Tk 500 or Tk 1,000 bills, typically feature an image of the note on one side and the company’s advertisement on the other. This unconventional marketing tactic has widely circulated across various social media platforms.

Some individuals, out of novelty or during weddings and other social events, have been producing imitation notes and sharing videos of money being tossed in celebration.

As these practices have come to the notice of Bangladesh Bank, the central bank has issued a warning on the matter.