(THAMES CENTRE, ON) – On January 21, 2017, the Middlesex County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) received a report of suspected counterfeit money being offered in a transaction.
At approximately 9:29 p.m. on January 21, 2017, a culprit attended a commercial business in the 4000 block of Hamilton Road, and used two $20 American bills for a purchase of merchandise. The banknotes were subsequently suspected to be counterfeit and turned over to police.
The Middlesex County OPP continues to investigate this incident.
The Bank of Canada website states the following:
If you have been offered a counterfeit note during a transaction, access the situation to ensure you are not at risk. Then:
Politely refuse the note and explain that you suspect that it may be counterfeit
Ask for another note (and check it too)
Advise the person to check the note with local police
Inform your local police of a possible attempt to pass suspected counterfeit money
If you suspect a note is counterfeit after a transaction:
Give it to the local police – if it’s real, you’ll get it back
For more information on bank note security features, see the link to U.S. Bank Notes (how to verify them) at http://www.bankofcanada.ca/banknotes/counterfeit-prevention
The police should be informed of possible counterfeiting activity in your community. Timely reporting helps police and prosecutors bring counterfeiters to justice.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact their local police. The OPP can be reached anytime, anywhere in the Province of Ontario, at 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or submit a tip online at www.londoncrimestoppers.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2000.