Public Notice: Counterfeit $100 Pa’anga Banknotes in Circulation

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Public Notice: COUNTERFEIT $100 PA’ANGA BANKNOTES IN CIRCULATION

NRBT Governor Moeaki warns “that the public should be more alert in conducting cash transactions particularly during this festive period to ensure genuine banknotes are being used as he believes there could be more counterfeit $100 paʻanga banknotes that are still in circulation.

ENQUIRIES

National Reserve Bank of Tonga
Fasi mo e Afi
Nuku'alofa

(676) 24057

(676) 24201

nrbt@reservebank.to

20 July 2026

Public Notice: Public Warning on COUNTERFEIT $100 PA’ANGA BANKNOTES IN CIRCULATION

The public is alerted that the National Reserve Bank of Tonga (NRBT) has identified a number of counterfeit $100 paʻanga banknotes purporting to be from the latest 2023 series, King Tupou VI banknotes, that are currently in circulation.

The counterfeit banknotes do not contain the following security features found on a genuine $100 paʻanga banknote:

1.
Watermark
– The genuine banknote displays a watermark of His Majesty King Tupou VI together with the lighter text "NRBT", which is visible when the banknote is held up to the light.

2. Security Thread
   – A genuine $100 paʻanga banknote contains an embedded Nexus security thread featuring the heilala flower, Tongan kupesi, and the denomination "100".

3. Ultraviolet (UV) Fluorescent Features
   – Under ultraviolet (UV) light, the front of the genuine banknote displays the serial number and denomination on the left side, and the denomination value at the bottom right together with the letters "NRBT" at the top right.

4. Banknote Dimensions
   – The counterfeit banknotes do not match the dimensions of a genuine $100 paʻanga banknote.

NRBT Governor Moeaki warns “that the public should be more alert in conducting cash transactions particularly during this festive period to ensure genuine banknotes are being used as he believes there could be more counterfeit $100 paʻanga banknotes that are still in circulation. Businesses that primarily deal in cash are especially encouraged to remain vigilant.”

Information on the security features of genuine banknotes is available on the NRBT website, and printed pamphlets may be obtained free of charge from the Bank's office.

The production, possession, distribution, or knowing use of counterfeit currency is a serious criminal offence. Anyone who receives a counterfeit banknote or suspects that they have received a counterfeit banknote should report the matter immediately to the NRBT or the nearest police station.

For more information
, contact the National Reserve Bank of Tonga on (+676 24057) or email:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
, website:
http://www.reservebank.to

Fanongonongo: Tufaki holo 'o e Pa'anga $100 Loi

‘Oku ‘oatu ‘a e fakatokanga ki he kakai ‘o e fonuaˊ kuo ma’u pea mo fakapapau’i ‘e he Pangikē Pule Fakafonua ‘o Tongaˊ ha ngaahi lau’i pa’anga loi ‘i he pa’anga ‘e $100 ‘o e pa’anga fo’ou ‘o e 2023 (‘Imisi ‘o ‘ene ‘Afio Tupou VI) ‘oku lolotonga ngāue’aki ‘i he ngaahi fefakatau’aki pea tufaki holo ‘i he fonuaˊ.

Ko e ngaahi lau’i pa’anga ni ‘oku ‘ikai ke hā ai ‘a e ngaahi faka’ilonga malu’i fakapulipuli ‘a ia ‘oku totonu ke hā ‘i ha lau’i pa’anga mo’oniˊ ‘o hangē ko eni:

1. ‘I he tafa’aki to’ohema ‘o e fofonga ‘o e lau’i pa’angaˊ, ‘oku totonu ke hā ai ‘a e ‘imisi ‘o ‘Ene ‘Afio Tupou VI pea mo e fo’i lea ko e “NRBT” ‘a ia ‘e toki malava pe ke ke mamata ki ai ‘i he taimi ‘oku ke puke hake ai ‘a e lau’i pa’angaˊ ki he maamaˊ (Watermark).

2. Ko e filo malu’i lanu pingikī (security thread) ‘oku hā feliliuaki ai e matala’i heilala mo e kupesi ‘i ha laine fālahi mei ‘olunga ki lalo ‘o e lau’i pa’angaˊ.

3. ‘I hono hulu’i ‘aki ‘a e maama valeti (UV) ‘a e fofonga ‘o e lau’i pa’angaˊ ‘oku ne fakapapau’i mai ‘a e mahu’inga totonu ‘o e lau’i pa’anga ko ia.

4. Ko e fālahi mo e loloa ‘o e lau’i pa’anga mo’oni.

‘Oku tapou atu ‘e he Kovana ‘o e Pangikē Puleˊ, Tatafu Moeaki, “’oku mahu’inga ke toe tokanga ange ‘a e kakaiˊ ‘i he’enau ngāue’aki ‘a e lau’i pa’angaˊ (cash) tautefito ki he ngaahi taimi kātoanga lalahi ko eni ke toe fakapapau’i ‘oku ‘ikai ko ha lau’i pa’anga loi ‘oku ne ngāue’akiˊ he ‘oku ‘i ai ‘a e tui ‘oku kei ‘i ai ‘a e ngaahi lau’i pa’anga $100 loi ‘oku kei tufaki holo pē.‘Oku tu’u laveangofua heni ‘a e ngaahi pisinisi iiki ange ‘oku nau lahi ngāue’aki e fakatau pa’anga pepaˊ.”

‘Oku ‘oatu ‘a e ngaahi fakamatala ‘i he uepisaiti ‘a e Pangikē Puleˊ pea mo e ngaahi tohi fakahinohino mei honau ‘ofisiˊ ke tokoni ki he kakai ‘o e fonuaˊ ‘i hono fakapapau’i mo fakafaikehekehe’i ‘a e lau’i pa’anga mo’oni mei he lau’i pa’anga loiˊ.

‘Oku ta’efakalao pea ko e hia mamafa ‘a hono paaki fakafufū, tauhi pē ngāue’aki ‘a e pa’anga loiˊ. Kataki ‘o līpooti ki he Pangikē Puleˊ pē ko e ‘api Polisi ofi tahaˊ kapau te ke ma’u ha lau’i pa’anga loi pē ko ha lau’i pa’anga ‘oku ngali fotunga kehe.

Ki ha ngaahi faka’eke’eke kataki ‘o fakafetu’utaki ki he:
Tafa’aki Pa’anga
Pangikē Pule Fakafonua ‘o Tonga
Telefoni: (676) 24-057
Fax: (676) 24 201
Meili ‘Elekitolonika:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Peesi ‘Initaneti:
www.reservebank.to

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