Counterfeit Dirham Notes: How to Spot Them (Guide)
Counterfeit notes exist everywhere, and Morocco is no exception. Here's how to verify your Dirham banknotes in 3 seconds using the TRI method.
The TRI Method: Touch, Look, Tilt
Bank Al-Maghrib has integrated multiple security features into Moroccan banknotes. Here's how to check them:
1. Touch
- Paper texture: Genuine notes have a distinctive crisp feel — not soft like photocopy paper.
- Raised print: Run your finger over the main portrait and denomination — you should feel the raised ink.
2. Look
- Watermark: Hold the note up to light — you should see the King's portrait and the denomination.
- Security thread: A dark strip is embedded in the paper, visible when held to light.
- Micro-printing: Look closely near the borders — tiny text should be readable with a magnifying glass.
3. Tilt
- Holographic strip (200 MAD): The metallic strip changes colour when tilted.
- Colour-shifting ink: On newer notes, the denomination number changes colour when viewed at an angle.
⚠️ What to Do If You Receive a Suspect Note
Never try to spend a suspected counterfeit. Report it to the nearest bank or police station. If received at an exchange bureau, ask for a replacement immediately.
💡 Pro Tip
Exchange at licensed bureaus listed on Deviz.ma to avoid counterfeit risks entirely. Licensed bureaus use professional verification machines.