Türkiye Works to Halt Circulation of Fake US Dollars

FILE PHOTO: A money changer counts US dollar bills, with Turkish lira banknotes in the background, at an currency exchange office in central Istanbul, Türkiye, August 21, 2015. REUTERS/Murad Sezer/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A money changer counts US dollar bills, with Turkish lira banknotes in the background, at an currency exchange office in central Istanbul, Türkiye, August 21, 2015. REUTERS/Murad Sezer/File Photo
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Türkiye Works to Halt Circulation of Fake US Dollars

FILE PHOTO: A money changer counts US dollar bills, with Turkish lira banknotes in the background, at an currency exchange office in central Istanbul, Türkiye, August 21, 2015. REUTERS/Murad Sezer/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A money changer counts US dollar bills, with Turkish lira banknotes in the background, at an currency exchange office in central Istanbul, Türkiye, August 21, 2015. REUTERS/Murad Sezer/File Photo

Turkish authorities were checking currency exchanges and cash dispenser machines on Thursday to help avert any damage from the circulation of counterfeit US dollars, which has prompted a number of banks to stop accepting some of the bills.
The central bank said it was working with judicial authorities to address the counterfeiting issue and had shared a report and guidance with lenders after having examined the fake US banknotes, Reuters reported.
Though it was unclear how much counterfeit currency was in circulation across the country, several banking sources said that several foreign exchange offices and banks were no longer accepting some US dollars.
A source with knowledge of the matter said there were no related problems with the financial system.
Several banking sources have said some $50 bills and $100 bills are suspected of being counterfeit and are not currently detected by money-counting machines.
The Turkish Banking Association said these machines as well as cash dispenser machines, or ATMs, were being checked and updated to halt any further circulation of counterfeit bills.
The source said a planned rapid system-wide update to money-counting machines would make detection possible.
Separately, a prosecutor's office in Istanbul launched an investigation into the issue, broadcaster NTV reported.



Oil Slips on Buildup in US Gasoline Stocks; Eyes on Weekend OPEC+ Meeting

FILE PHOTO: An oil and gas industry worker walks during operations of a drilling rig at Zhetybay field in the Mangystau region, Kazakhstan, November 13, 2023. REUTERS/Turar Kazangapov/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An oil and gas industry worker walks during operations of a drilling rig at Zhetybay field in the Mangystau region, Kazakhstan, November 13, 2023. REUTERS/Turar Kazangapov/File Photo
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Oil Slips on Buildup in US Gasoline Stocks; Eyes on Weekend OPEC+ Meeting

FILE PHOTO: An oil and gas industry worker walks during operations of a drilling rig at Zhetybay field in the Mangystau region, Kazakhstan, November 13, 2023. REUTERS/Turar Kazangapov/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An oil and gas industry worker walks during operations of a drilling rig at Zhetybay field in the Mangystau region, Kazakhstan, November 13, 2023. REUTERS/Turar Kazangapov/File Photo

Oil prices drifted lower on Thursday after a surprise jump in US gasoline inventories, with investors focusing on the OPEC+ meeting this weekend to discuss oil output policy.
Brent crude futures fell by 14 cents, or 0.2%, to $72.69 per barrel by 0401 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were also down 14 cents, or 0.2%, at $68.58 a barrel.
Trading is expected to be light due to US Thanksgiving holiday kicking off from Thursday.
Oil is likely to hold to its near-term bearish momentum as the risks of supply disruption fade in the Middle East and stemming from the higher-than-expected US gasoline inventories, said Yeap Jun Rong, a market strategist at IG.
US gasoline stocks rose 3.3 million barrels in the week ended on Nov. 22, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) said on Wednesday, countering expectations for a small draw in fuel stocks ahead of record holiday travel.
Slowing fuel demand growth in top consumers the United States and China has weighed heavily on oil prices this year, although supply curtailments from OPEC+, which groups the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries with Russia and other allies, have limited the losses.
OPEC+ will meet on Sunday. Two sources from the producer group told Reuters on Tuesday that members have been discussing a further delay to a planned oil output hike that was due to start in January.
A further deferment, as expected by many in the market, has mostly been factored into oil prices already, said Suvro Sarkar, energy sector team lead at DBS Bank.
"The only question is whether it's a one-month pushback, or three-month, or even longer. That would give the oil market some direction. On the other hand, we would be worried about a dip in oil prices if the deferments don’t come," he said.
The group, which pumps about half the world's oil, had previously said it would gradually roll back oil production cuts with small increases over many months in 2024 and 2025.
Brent and WTI have lost more than 3% each so far this week, under pressure from Israel's agreement to a ceasefire deal with Lebanon's Hezbollah group. The ceasefire started on Wednesday and helped ease concerns that the conflict could disrupt oil supplies from the top producing Middle East region.
Market participants are uncertain how long the break in the fighting will hold, with the broader geopolitical backdrop for oil remaining murky, analysts at ANZ Bank said.
Oil prices are undervalued due to a market deficit, heads of commodities research at Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley warned in recent days, also pointing to a potential risk to Iranian supply from sanctions that might be implemented under US President-elect Donald Trump.