Investigators said a former U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration engineer and a graphic designer created fake 20 and 100 euro notes that were ''virtually indistinguishable" from real money, ANSA reported Wednesday.

However, police said the bills were spotted as fakes and brought to the attention of authorities by lap dancers and prostitutes frequented by the counterfeiters.

Police said the case marked the first major counterfeiting operation discovered in the country outside of the Naples area.