More than 30 cases of counterfeit notes reported, say police
By
Esther Tan
-- ST FILE PHOTO
MORE than 30 cases of counterfeit notes have been reported in the last few months, said police.
This is a huge jump from the 11 cases reported in the first nine months of last year, and the largest number of reported counterfeit note cases in the last three years.
In a press statement handed out earlier this week, police said that pubs, restaurants, petrol kiosks and betting outlets had fallen victim to the scam, which usually involves using a counterfeit $50 note, with the serial number 2EY322725, to pay for purchases, said police.
Sometimes, the person with a fake note may also ask to change it into smaller denominations, saying they need small change urgently.
Retailers who spoke to The Straits Times said that they were aware of the recent increase in the number of counterfeit notes being used.
Miss Lovie Wong, 27, said she received a text message from a friend yesterday warning her about fake $50 notes being circulated.
It said: 'Counterfeit $50 on the loose. Serial number 2EY322725.'
'I'm slightly worried and I will take extra precautions from now on as I deal with a lot of cash daily,' said the owner of Dulcetfig boutique in Haji Lane.
Miss Wong added that she had not yet received a counterfeit note in her shop.
Jeep Electromart employee Ng Sim Bee said that he is always careful when handling cash after receiving a fake $10 Brunei note about five years ago.
'I feel for the raised printing on them,' said the 60-year-old.
Both retailers said they had no plans to buy a fake-note detector as counterfeit notes were not common here.
Mr Ng pointed out that inspecting cash too closely could upset customers. 'Some customers will get angry if you scrutinise the notes for too long,' he said.
The police have urged the public to be vigilant as the festive sales season approaches.
'Public and sole proprietors should remain alert and pay extra attention when customers pay for purchases using higher denominations of cash,' said the police news release.
A 17-year-old was charged in court on Thursday for using a counterfeit $50 note to pay for purchases at a food stall in Yishun Avenue 5 last Saturday.
Anyone convicted of using fake notes can be jailed for up to 20 years and fined.
