The number of fake euros in circulation in the Netherlands went up by 24% in the first half of this year, compared with the last six months of 2013.

In total, 23,900 fake notes were identified, the Dutch central bank said on Friday.

The bank says the increase is notable because the European central bank reports a 6% drop in identified forgeries.

Twenty and 50 euro notes are particularly popular with forgers. Most of the fake notes in circulation in the Netherlands are thought to come from Italy and Bulgaria.

Despite the increase, there is only a very small chance that consumers will be passed a fake note, the central bank said.