Police are warning the public about the recent usage of counterfeit U.S. currency across the island.
Within the past three months, more than 14 separate investigations have been initiated islandwide involving the use of counterfeit bills ranging from $5 to $100 bills. The counterfeit bills were presented to both private individuals and to retail employees in exchange for monetary goods or services.
In many instances, the counterfeit bills have markings indicating that the bill is “prop” money with writing such as “for motion picture purposes,” “this note is for motion picture purposes it is not legal tender,” “motion picture purposes” and “in props we trust” on either the front or the back of the bill.
The printing of counterfeit bills and the usage of counterfeit bills to obtain goods or services is prohibited under both state and federal law and are felony offenses punishable by up to 10 years of incarceration and monetary fines.
Police encourage the public and retail employees to thoroughly inspect all money used in transactions and to notify police if they come across fraudulent bills in order to prevent the monetary loss of goods or services. Taking note of individual characteristics of the person presenting the counterfeit bill along with their behavior patterns may assist law enforcement in identifying, apprehending and prosecuting suspects.
Anyone who has fallen victim to counterfeit bills is asked to the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311 or Crime Stoppers at 961-8300.