MOSCOW, October 9 (RIA Novosti) - The volume of Russian counterfeit ruble bills in circulation increased by 9% in the third quarter of 2008 against the same period last year, the Central Bank of Russia said on Thursday.
Russian banks confiscated a total of 31,225 forged ruble bills in the period between July and September.
The first quarter of 2008 saw a 12.6% increase in counterfeit rubles, however, the second quarter saw a sharp increase of 42% against similar periods last year.
The Central Bank said that with nearly 30,000 forged bills seized in the third quarter of 2008, the 1,000-ruble note is the most preferred banknote by counterfeiters.
The Central Bank said, however, that forged foreign currency circulating in Russia was on the decrease, with a drop of 24.5% in the third quarter against the same period last year.
