Police Issue Warning About Counterfeit Currency

December 15, 2014

Counterfeit Bill Dec 15The Bermuda Police Service said they have “noticed an increase in the number of counterfeit Bermuda $50 notes being reported to police recently. The most recent is A1498951.”

“With the holiday season upon us, businesses are asked to remind their staff to be especially vigilant when accepting larger denominations, in particular the old style Bermuda notes,” a spokesperson said.

“Often these counterfeit Bermuda $50 notes are being tendered to pay for lower priced items and/or services. Usually the criminals look to target vendors who are busy and may be under pressure to serve quickly, reducing the chances that a fraudulent transaction will be detected.

“If counterfeit cash is detected during a transaction, staff receiving the fake money should hold on to it, note the description of the individual who tendered it and contact police immediately.

“The public is similarly encouraged to remain vigilant regarding counterfeit currency. To distinguish a genuine Bermuda note from a counterfeit one, look for the tuna fish watermark [to the left of the note], the metallic security thread [just right of the tuna fish watermark] and the silver ship [to the right of the note].

“Also, examine the paper quality and check to see if the serial numbers on two notes are the same, as all genuine currency has individual serial numbers.

“Any suspicious circumstances regarding counterfeit currency should be reported directly to the main police telephone number 295-0011 or via the independent and confidential Crime Stoppers hotline 800-8477.

“It is a criminal offence to pass to another, possess, make or reproduce any counterfeit currency; punishable by up to five years in prison.”

- The photo on top left was provided by the police, it will enlarge if clicked.

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Comments (4)

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  1. mj says:

    I wonder what type of machines are used for counterfeit purposes, shouldn’t they be confiscated, or next time the BMA issues notes they should make it virtually impossible to duplicate.. I personally can’t imagine who would have access to this kind of machinery and it should be able to be detected in twenty-two square miles, don’t see the purpose of it being done outside of the island..exactly what is different about the counterfeit ?has anyone been prosecuted to date fo this type of crime in Bermuda, if not why not, counterfeit has been going on a while now, there should be some vigilance to find the machinery and persons behind them..

    • in the news says:

      They/ he/she mastered this and quick!!! Damn this individual/s is artistic & creative. Put your energy into blueprints, planning, drawing art and sell your work, further your education in art etc. Don’t invest in being a con mon

  2. Terry says:

    Well it ain’t made on toilet paper.
    Take a $1 US bill and color it up.
    Same texture.
    Shalom.

  3. Rhonnie aka BlueFamiliar says:

    Just for the record. Our 50s don’t have a tuna on them, or a silver thread, or a silver ship.

    They used to, but those old-style notes are now out of circulation.