Counterfeit currency alert

Photo: RCMP

RCMP are on the hunt for fraudsters passing counterfeit U.S. money across the Okanagan.

Investigators have seized several confirmed counterfeit U.S. $20 and $50 bills from local financial institutions after they were allegedly used to purchase goods and services from numerous unsuspecting businesses throughout the Central Okanagan.
 
RCMP have generated 10 police files related to counterfeited U.S. currency being passed at various local businesses such as casinos, thrift stores, financial institutions, sports complexes, drug stores, restaurants in the Okanagan cities of Kelowna and West Kelowna in the first few weeks of April.
 
“In most cases, these bogus bills are making it past the initial point of sale and being discovered by financial institution employees in the businesses nightly bank deposits,” says RCMP Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey.
 
Police are continuing their investigations but are now asking for the public's help to catch the swindlers.
 
In the meantime, “our hope is to prevent further incidents where these fake bills are accepted by unsuspecting retailers in our community,” states Cst. Jacqueline Montpetit of the Kelowna RCMP GIS Economic Crime Unit. “We recommend that business owners and operators review their policies and ensure that their employees familiarize themselves with the detection of counterfeit currency.”