Spanish Tourist Detained in Andorra for Passing Fake €50 Notes in Nightclubs

Police in Andorra have placed a 35-year-old Spanish tourist in provisional custody after he attempted to use counterfeit €50 notes at two Pas de la Casa nightclubs. The man, who owns a cash-intensive business in Spain, was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday and appeared in court the following day. Authorities cited flight risk concerns for a tourist in such cases, where rapid trials or fines do not apply, while economic crimes and money laundering investigators continue their work.

Staff at a venue on Carrer del Maià spotted the fake bill during his first attempt and alerted police, who verified its falsity. He then paid with a legitimate note but soon tried again at a second nearby club after warnings spread among staff. Officers searched him and recovered 12 counterfeit €50 notes. Sources indicate he was aware the bills were fake—likely obtained through his business—and planned to pass them during his holiday with his partner and friends. The incident counts as an attempted currency security violation, as the deception was interrupted. No evidence points to him being a professional counterfeiter, and he carried only a limited number of fakes.

In separate incidents this week at Pas de la Casa, border police arrested a 28-year-old Chinese national in the afternoon of the same Tuesday for trying to enter with false identity documents, also charged under currency security laws. Investigators found no link between the cases.

Pas de la Casa officials have increased checks during the busy season. For context, a similar case involving a man from Marseille with six fake €50 notes resulted in three weeks' provisional custody, matching his eventual sentence.