noun
counterfeit paper money; forged banknotes
Refers specifically to fake paper currency, as opposed to coins or digital money. Often used in legal or news contexts.
警察は贋造紙幣の製造グループを摘発した。
The police cracked down on a group producing counterfeit paper money.
贋造紙幣を使うと重い罪に問われる。
Using forged banknotes can lead to serious charges.
Compound of 贋造 (がんぞう, 'counterfeiting') and 紙幣 (しへい, 'paper money'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the kanji 贋 (fake) and 造 (make) clearly indicate the meaning.