For the economics term, see Superdollar (economics). The term superdollar is sometimes used to refer to a period of extreme strength of the United States dollar, relative to other currencies particularly in the 1980s

A superdollar or supernote is an almost perfect counterfeit of a United States banknote, believed to have been made by an unknown organization or government. A counterfeit is an imitation that is made usually with the intent to deceptively represent its content or origins The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The identity of the group responsible remains a mystery, and international opinion on the origin of the notes varies; at one point, the government of the United States claimed to have proof that they were produced in North Korea, but it has since ceased publicly advancing or commenting on this accusation, while many in the intelligence community blame Iran or criminal gangs operating out of China or Russia; some have even suggested the possibility of CIA involvement. near as long as it used to be several months ago It has been actively summarized and split into sub-articles and there is a dynamic talk page discussion of all ^[1] The name derives from the fact that the technology incorporated to create the note exceeds that of the original. Currently, it is estimated that 1 in 10,000 bills is a supernote. ^[2]

Contents 1 The notes 2 Possible sources 2.1 North Korea 2.2 CIA 3 See also 4 References 5 External links

The notes

The notes are made with the highest quality ink and paper, designed to recreate the various security features of United States currency, such as the red and blue security fibers, the security thread, and the watermark; even experts need to study a note intensively before determining if it is a forgery. A security thread is a security feature of many Bank notes to protect against Counterfeiting, consisting of a thin ribbon which is threaded through the note's A watermark is a recognizable image or pattern in Paper that shows in various shades of lightness/darkness when viewed by transmitted light (or when viewed by reflected Officially they are known as the PN-14342 family, after the classification system that the United States Secret Service uses. The notes are printed using the intaglio and typographic printing processes. Intaglio (pronounced in-TAL-yo ɪn'tælɪəʊ is a family of Printmaking techniques in which the image is incised into a surface known as the matrix or plate Typography is the art and techniques of arranging type, Type design, and modifying type Glyphs Type glyphs are created and modified using a variety

Possible sources

North Korea

The United States based its accusations against North Korea primarily on the accounts of a few North Korean defectors who allegedly described the operation, though their testimony is widely considered to be suspect; a key witness has since gone into hiding after charges that he fabricated the story for money. ^[1][3] These witnesses claimed that the factory where the notes are printed is located in the city of Pyongsong and is part of Division 39. P'yŏngsŏng is a city in North Korea, the capital city of the province South Pyongan in western North Korea Division 39 is an alleged Slush fund operated by the North Korean government ^[4] One defector had taken the notes to experts in the South Korean intelligence agency, who did not believe that they were fakes. South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea and often referred to as Korea ( Korean: 대한민국 tɛː ^[5] The San Francisco Chronicle interviewed a North Korean chemist who described the operation; insisting on anonymity, he spoke about the technical details of the process as well as the distribution method, which he said was through North Korean diplomats and international crime syndicates. The San Francisco Chronicle was founded in 1865 as The Daily Dramatic Chronicle by teenage brothers Charles de Young and Michael H

In their 2006 accusations, the U. S. theorized that the bills were spread in two ways:

• North Korean diplomats almost always travel through Moscow on their way to other destinations. Diplomacy is the art and practice of conducting Negotiations between representatives of groups or states Moscow (Москва́ romanised: Moskvá, IPA: see also other names) is the Capital and the largest city of At the North Korean embassy they receive dollars for their expenses. A diplomatic mission is a group of people from one State or an international Inter-governmental organization (such as the United Nations) present in According to the claims of one defectors, forgeries are intermingled with real dollars in about a 1 to 1 ratio. He said that most of the diplomats themselves do not know that they are being given fakes, and claimed that it was possible to purchase a $100 bill for US$70 directly from North Korean agents. ^[6]

• The British criminal underworld. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The chief of staff of the Official Irish Republican Army, Seán Garland, was followed and seen traveling to Moscow and visiting the North Korean embassy along with some ex-KGB officers. The following is the list of those who are reported to have served as Chief of Staff of the Irish Republican Army in the various incarnations of organisations bearing that name The term Official Irish Republican Army or Official IRA (informally the Officials) refers to one of the two organisations&mdashthe other being the Provisional Seán Garland (born 7 March 1934) is a senior figure and former President of the Workers Party of Ireland. KGB ( Transliteration of "КГБ" is the Russian abbreviation of Committee for State Security ( Komityet Gosudarstvennoy Bezopasnosty Allegedly, Seán Garland then would, with the help of some associate couriers, move this money to Dublin and Birmingham where the notes would be exchanged for pounds or authentic dollars. Dublin (ˈdʌblɨn/ /ˈdʊblɨn or /ˈdʊbəlɪn/, bˠalʲə aːha klʲiəh or cliə(ɸ is both the largest city and capital of Ireland. Birmingham ( ˈbɜːmɪŋəm Ber -ming-um The Pound Sterling ( symbol £; ISO code: GBP) subdivided into 100 pence (singular penny) is the Currency ^[7][8] His scheme, involving several international crime syndicates and transactions worth millions of dollars, was uncovered in "Operation Mali" and began with a tip-off about a man named Alan Jones. ^[9] Garland was arrested in Belfast, Northern Ireland but fled south to the Republic of Ireland after being released for medical leave; Ireland does not have an extradition treaty with the U. Belfast ( is the capital city of Northern Ireland and the seat of government in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of Ireland ( Irish: Éire, ˈeːrʲə is a country in north-western Europe. S. He has said he will surrender only if he will be tried by jury in Ireland.

Other theories of the bill's origin have become increasingly popular; Iran remains a suspect to many, while others blame independent criminal gangs operating out of Russia or China. ^[1][10] In 2000, the Institute for Advanced Strategic and Political Studies laid the blame on Syria: "The Bekaa Valley has become one of the main distribution sources, if not production points, of the 'supernote' – counterfeit U. Syria ( سوريّة or) officially the Syrian Arab Republic (Arabic ar الجمهورية العربية السورية Beqaa ( Arabic: البقاع "valley" also transliterated as Bekaa, Biqâ‘ or Becaa) is a fertile Valley in S. currency so well done that it is impossible to detect. "^[11]

Between 2004 and 2006 the United States frequently called for pressure against North Korea in an attempt to end the alleged distribution of supernotes, though more recently it has ceased publicly accusing the country. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. It has investigated the Bank of China, Banco Delta Asia, and Seng Heng Bank. Bank of China Limited ( BOC) ( often abbreviated as 中行 is one of the Big four state-owned commercial Banks of the People's Republic Banco Delta Asia (滙業銀行 is a Macau -based bank owned by the Delta Asia Financial Group and founded in 1935 by Au Wing Ngok father of Stanley Au the current chairman Seng Heng Bank Limited ( established in 1972 is the second largest locally incorporated bank in Macau. ^[12][13] The U. S. eventually prohibited Americans from banking with Banco Delta Asia. ^[14][15] However, an audit of the bank disputed U. S. allegations and indicated that the only time Banco Delta Asia had knowingly handled counterfeit money was in 1994 when it discovered and turned over $10,000 in counterfeit $100 bills to local authorities. ^[16] Before it dropped the issue, the United States was threatening North Korea with sanctions over its alleged involvement with the supernotes, though it said those sanctions would be a separate issue from the nuclear one. North Korea claims to possess Nuclear weapons and the CIA asserts that it has a substantial arsenal of Chemical weapons.

In two sting operations, dubbed "Operation Smoking Dragon" and "Operation Royal Charm", United States agents arrested at least 87 people on charges that included smuggling superdollars.

China has been reluctant to believe that North Korea was the source of the notes, while South Korea never accepted it. On January 11, 2006, China announced that its own investigation had reached the same conclusion, and says it believes North Korea cannot escape culpability and will try to convince it to end the activity. Events 1055 - Theodora is crowned Empress of the Byzantine Empire. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. South Korea is attempting to play a middle role, encouraging all parties to reach an acceptable conclusion without animosity. ^[17] In a major meeting on January 22, 2006, the U. Events 565 - Eutychius is deposed as Patriarch of Constantinople by John Scholasticus. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. S. laid out its evidence and tried to persuade the Seoul government to take a harder line on the issue and impose similar financial sanctions, but was rebuffed. ^[18][19] South Korea prefers to place blame on North Korean organizations rather than the government, believing that this change in rhetoric can mollify North Korea and be conducive to a resumption of the six-party talks. The six-party talks aim to find a peaceful resolution to the security concerns as a result of the North Korean nuclear weapons program. ^[20]

Several North Korean diplomats have been arrested on suspicion of passing the counterfeit bills, but have used diplomatic immunity to evade charges. Diplomatic immunity is a form of legal immunity and a policy held between governments which ensures that Diplomats are given safe passage and are considered not ^[21]

On February 2, 2006, banks in Japan voluntarily enforced sanctions on Banco Delta Asia identical to those imposed by the United States. Events 962 - Translatio imperii: Pope John XII crowns Otto I Holy Roman Emperor, the first Holy Roman Emperor Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. ^[22] Later in August 2006, the Sankei Shimbun reported that North Korea had opened 23 bank accounts in 10 countries, with the likely intent of laundering more superbills. is a daily Newspaper in Japan published by the. It has the sixth highest circulation for a newspaper in Japan and is considered as one of the five "national" newspapers ^[23]

CIA

On January 7, 2007, the Sunday edition of the German Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) challenged the official American statement and the accusations on North Korea. Events 1325 - Alfonso IV becomes King of Portugal. 1558 - France takes Calais, the last continental Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. FAZ Building 2jpg|thumb|300px|right| Editorial department building of Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung ]]The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (English Their research suggested that the real source of the superdollars is a secret printing facility close to Washington, D. C. , and owned by the CIA. near as long as it used to be several months ago It has been actively summarized and split into sub-articles and there is a dynamic talk page discussion of all According to FAZ the forged dollars are used to finance secret CIA operations. Printing the money directly would then evade any congressional oversight of these operations. Presently, there has not been an official response by the U. S. government to these accusations. ^[24]

More doubt concerning the nature of these supernotes arose on January 10, 2008, in the McClatchy Washington Bureau. Events 49 BC - Julius Caesar crosses the Rubicon, signaling the start of civil war. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common The McClatchy Company is an American Publishing company based in Sacramento California, that operates a number of Newspapers and Websites The article makes mention of the increasing doubt of testimonies and sources, and of the CIA's involvement. Klaus Bender, an author of works on counterfeiting, claims that the notes are of such high quality that they could only be produced by a government agency such as the CIA. The article also goes on to say that the United States is no longer explicitly accusing the North Korean government of producing supernotes. ^[1]

See also

• Counterfeit United States currency
• Operation Bernhard - a similar operation run by Nazi Germany during the Second World War with forged Pound Sterling notes. Counterfeiting of the Currency of the United States is widely attempted Operation Bernhard was the name of a secret German plan devised during the Second World War to destabilise the British economy by flooding the country with Nazi Germany and the Third Reich are the common English names for Germany under the regime of Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German Workers World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The Pound Sterling ( symbol £; ISO code: GBP) subdivided into 100 pence (singular penny) is the Currency

References

External links

• Stephen Mihm. "No Ordinary Counterfeit", New York Times Magazine, July 23, 2006. The New York Times Magazine is a supplement to the Sunday The New York Times newspaper  
• "North Korea says it has shocking evidence of US plot", Reuters, April 20, 2006. Events 1303 - The University of Rome La Sapienza is instituted by Pope Boniface VIII. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.
• "Unification Minister Clams Up on N.K. Counterfeiting", The Chosun Ilbo, December 27, 2005. Events 537 - The Hagia Sophia is completed 1512 - The Spanish Crown issues the Laws of Burgos, governing the Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
• "Seoul U-turn on North Korean Counterfeiting Could Be Fatal", The Chosun Ilbo, December 25, 2005. Events 274 - Roman Emperor Aurelian Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
• "U.S. accuses North Korea of conspiracy to counterfeit ", San Francisco Chronicle, December 18, 2005. Events 218 BC - Second Punic War: Battle of the Trebia - Hannibal 's Carthaginian forces defeat those of the Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
• "What Are Supernotes?", Slate. com, August 23, 2005. Events 79 - Mount Vesuvius begins stirring on the feast day of Vulcan the Roman god of fire Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
• "What is a superdollar?", BBC News, June 19, 2004. Events 1179 - The Norwegian Battle of Kalvskinnet outside Nidaros. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again "
• Transcript of BBC TV Show Panorama
• "Supernote: Not so Super?"PDF (219 KiB), Currency News, February 4, 2003. A kibibyte (a contraction of ki lo bi nary byte) is a unit of Information or Computer storage, established by the International Events 211 - Roman Emperor Septimius Severus dies leaving the Roman Empire in the hands of his two quarrelsome sons Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar.
• Counterfeit U.S. Currency Abroad: Issues and U.S. Deterrence Efforts, General Accounting Office publication, February 26, 1996. The Government Accountability Office ( GAO) is the Audit, Evaluation, and investigative arm of the United States Congress. Events 747 BC - Epoch (origin of Ptolemy 's Nabonassar Era 364 - Valentinian I is proclaimed Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar)
• "Mysterious $100 supernote counterfeit bills appear across world", Kansas City Star January 11, 2008. Events 1055 - Theodora is crowned Empress of the Byzantine Empire. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common

---

© 2009 citizendia.org; parts available under the terms of GNU Free Documentation License, from http://en.wikipedia.org
Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic