The three departments report multiple cases: counterfeit RMB-style hell bank notes seized, warning against selling and using them

Recently, relevant authorities jointly released several typical cases involving the illegal production and sale of hell money (spirit money) in the style of RMB, and issued a clear reminder to the public and business entities: they must not produce, sell, purchase, or use such hell money products.

According to a reporter, financial management authorities, together with departments handling social affairs and market regulation, investigated and handled multiple incidents across the country involving hell money in the style of RMB. The relevant authorities stated that the RMB is an important foundation for the country’s economic operations and an important component of the credit system. Any conduct that damages the image of the RMB or undermines its standardized use will have an adverse impact on market order and public perceptions.

The disclosed cases show that in April 2025, online patrols found that a funeral supplies shop in Jinhu County, Huai’an City, Jiangsu Province was selling hell money in the style of RMB. Subsequently, local authorities jointly carried out an investigation, investigated and dealt with a Wang-named wholesaler of hell money, and, based on the leads he provided, further traced down a Yan-named printing operator. Law enforcement officers seized a large quantity of finished and semi-finished hell money on-site, as well as related templates used for printing.

Given that the Wang-named wholesaler actively cooperated during the investigation and voluntarily provided key leads, the relevant authorities, according to law, issued him a warning and imposed a fine of 4,500 yuan. At the same time, they confiscated all illegal gains. For the printing operator involved, the authorities imposed a fine of 52,000 yuan according to law and confiscated all illegal gains. The hell money involved was uniformly destroyed.

In addition to the cases above, the bulletin also listed multiple similar situations, including a trading company in Weinan, Shaanxi that illegally produced and sold hell money in the style of RMB, a business unit of a paper company in Shangqiu, Henan that sold related products in violation of regulations, an illegal sale of hell money by a store in Liaoyuan, Jilin, and a funeral services department in Xining, Qinghai that operated in violation of regulations. All were handled in accordance with law.

The relevant authorities made it clear that, according to the current management regulations, no unit or individual may produce, counterfeit, trade RMB artwork, nor may they use RMB designs on sacrificial goods, daily necessities, or various types of tickets. The so-called hell money in the style of RMB refers to products that fully use or highly counterfeit the front and back designs of RMB that are currently in circulation or have exited circulation, or that use major visual elements such as people’s portraits.

As Qingming Festival approaches, the market for sacrificial goods enters a peak sales period. The relevant authorities once again called on businesses to strictly comply with the regulations: they should not produce or sell hell money in the style of RMB. Consumers should also consciously resist such products—do not buy or use them—so as to jointly maintain market order and the seriousness of legal tender.

At the same time, regulators reminded that if any illegal production or sale of hell money in the style of RMB is found, people can report it to the relevant local authorities, and the corresponding leads will be investigated and handled in accordance with law. Through ongoing remediation and joint public supervision, the market for sacrificial goods will be further regulated, and a good environment for consumption and use will be fostered.