Legendary Polish banknote forger dies at 71 amid investigation

Wojciech P., a figure described as a "legendary" banknote forger, has died at the age of 71. He was arrested in late April by Poland's Internal Security Agency (ABW) along with three other individuals. The arrest was part of an investigation into what prosecutors described as the country's largest counterfeit euro operation. Wojciech P. had been held in pre-trial detention, initially in a hospital ward within a detention center in Krakow. He was later transferred to a military hospital in Krakow, where he died. The exact cause of his death and the reasons for his urgent transfer are currently unknown and will likely be the subject of a new investigation. The operation, based in containers near Wołomin, was reportedly on the verge of mass production. Investigators seized a complete production line, specialized paper, holographic foil, and other components imported from Asia. Authorities estimate that the seized materials could have been used to produce 360 million counterfeit euros, intended for circulation primarily in Poland and Ukraine. Wojciech P. was reportedly responsible for establishing contacts with Ukrainian partners. His criminal career reportedly began in the 1990s, with alleged ties to the Wołomin criminal group.