Three people in two different reports were arrested by 100 Mile House RCMP for using counterfeit currency last week.
A woman was arrested for being in possession of counterfeit money on January 29. Police say the woman was attempting to use counterfeit $100 bills to purchase items at a store on Horse Lake Road.
Then, a day later, on January 30, police arrested two persons in the 90 block of Highway 97. Police had been advised that a suspicious vehicle was in the parking lot in the area, and the vehicle had been associated with persons who had attempted to use a counterfeit $50 bill at a business in the same area in the past.
“Police subsequently located the vehicle and arrested two occupants inside,” says Sergeant Brian Lamb. “A search of the vehicle and the persons’ contents led to the seizure of several counterfeit $50 bills.”
Lamb says cases of counterfeit money being used in 100 Mile House and across the province have increased again since the start of the new year.
He adds that spotting counterfeit $50 bills is easier. The numbers, faces, and colour of the paper, as well as paper quality is often more identifiable as fakes. $100 bills, according to Lamb, can be harder to identify as they look more realistic.
“We have seen some repeat persons that may have been involved in this, and we are aware that there have been other people who have used these bills more than once,” says Lamb.
“That is part of the ongoing investigation, and so is trying to find the source of this, which, at this time, is still undetermined. These incidents are occurring in other communities as well.”
The three persons arrested have since been released from cells, with future court dates scheduled. The female has been issued a no-go condition at the store where she had been arrested.
“They are on several conditions as part of the investigation,” Lamb says. “With knowing who these people are, we’ve identified them. If we encounter this again at another business, we’d be fairly confident in being able to deal with that situation, and if these persons were to try to use counterfeit currency again, it could lead to further consequences for them.”
Police advise anyone in the community to check for the signs of counterfeit currency. Serial numbers may be incorrect, and discolouration of the paper. They also advise that if anyone is unsure, to get the currency checked at a bank.
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