Be wary of fake dollar bills, NBI tells traders

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) warned traders yesterday to be wary of fake $100 bills being circulated during Yuletide shopping rush.

Head agent Rosauro Bautista, executive officer of the NBI-National Capital Region, said they are currently conducting operations to bust two syndicates engaged in transactions involving bogus foreign currency, often preying on unsuspecting merchants.

Bautista said one group takes its time in disposing of fake dollars, often selling one $100 bill at a time, while a four-man syndicate disposes of them in bundles.

Several members of the second group were recently arrested in an entrapment operation.

The NBI, however, refused to disclose the identity of the suspects so as not to jeopardize follow-up operations.

"We are asking the public to be on alert because that there is now a rampant selling of fake dollars this holiday season. Traders, especially should be cautious when accepting dollar payments. Sasabay din sila sa madaming mamimili at hindi maiwasan na makalusot ang ilang pekeng dolyar," Bautista said.

During a recent buy-bust operation, an NBI agent posed as a buyer, carrying P500,000 in show money consisting of marked bills and cut-out newspapers. He intended to purchase 10 bundles of phony $100 bills. Each bundle had 100 bills and was being sold for P50,000.

The transaction took place at a restaurant near the Ever Gotesco Mall in Caloocan City.

Once the deal was consummated, NBI operatives apprehended the suspects and seized seven bundles of fake dollars amounting to P3.5 million.

The Banko Sentral ng Pilipinas had certified the bills as bogus.

"They had been distributing ‘Class B’ counterfeits. It would be very difficult to distinguish the fake from the original, however, the public must take note that in the real dollar bill the number 100 located at the lower portion should have variable ink, meaning that if you view it from different angles, the color should change from black to green. If it is bogus, it remains green at any angle," Bautista said.

Charges of violation of Article 168 of the Revised Penal Code, covering the illegal possession of counterfeit foreign currencies, were filed against the suspects before the Caloocan Prosecutor’s Office.

They are currently detained at an NBI facility.

In another incident, a 37-year-old vendor, who owns a stall at the corner of C-5 Road corner Kalayaan Avenue in Makati City, was duped of some P5,400 worth of Christmas lanterns when a buyer paid him with a fake $100 bill.

After realizing the money could be counterfeit, the vendor tried to chase the buyer to ask that he pay in pesos, but the suspect had already sped off on a red Honda Civic.

"It was a good thing the vendor got the license plate number. We are now trying to trace the owner," he said.