Tirana Authorities Dismantle Criminal Network Sending Fake Euros Across Albania

 In a major step against financial crime in Albania, Tirana Police have successfully taken down a structured group suspected of distributing counterfeit euro banknotes across the local market. The large-scale operation, officially codenamed “Wrong Delivery”, was carried out by the Section for the Investigation of Economic and Financial Crime at DVP Tirana, under the direct supervision of the Prosecutor’s Office. This coordinated effort led to the arrest of four individuals and the search for a fifth suspect who remains at large.

Counterfeit euros placed in boxes and ready to be sent by mail

This case has quickly become one of the most talked-about developments in Albania’s fight against economic offenses, especially due to the methodical structure of the criminal network and the use of postal services to circulate fake money. For Albanians, at home or abroad, this incident highlights an ongoing challenge: combating financial fraud and stabilizing trust in day-to-day transactions.

A Network Targeting the Albanian Market

The arrested individuals include:

• A. B., 19 years old, resident of Shkodër

• A 17-year-old minor, resident of Tirana

• S. L., 26 years old, resident of Tirana

• E. A., 19 years old, resident of Tirana

Meanwhile, A. P., a 19-year-old from Kruja, has been declared wanted and remains under active pursuit by the authorities.

According to investigators, this group formed a coordinated network that used postal service channels to send and distribute packages containing counterfeit euro banknotes. Evidence suggests that these individuals were not acting alone but were part of a wider operation that aimed to introduce fake currency into everyday commercial circulation. Such schemes can severely harm local businesses, undermine consumer trust, and weaken financial institutions—making this operation particularly significant for the Albanian public.

Caught in the Act: 11 Suspicious Packages Seized

During the decisive phase of the operation, police officers caught S. L., E. A., and the minor in the act, right as they attempted to retrieve 11 packages from a postal office in Tirana. Investigators revealed that these packages contained suspicious euro banknotes believed to be counterfeit. The intended distribution of these notes could have resulted in substantial financial damage to both private citizens and businesses throughout Albania.

All evidence points to A. B. as the main sender of the packages. He allegedly used a fraudulent commercial identity to disguise the illegal operation and avoid raising suspicion. This method illustrates how the network sought to blend into legitimate supply chains to facilitate the widespread distribution of counterfeit money.