2 Cameroon nationals nabbed for fake bills

Authorities arrested two Cameroon nationals in Taguig City for allegedly counterfeiting millions worth of dollar and peso bills, John Consulta reported on “24 Oras” on Tuesday.

Based on the initial investigation, the suspects allegedly use real currency notes during the first two transactions before exchanging the counterfeit bills. They also sell fake bills at lower prices to lure their victims.

“Sa unang pagpapalit nyo ng pera sa kanila, so bibigyan nila kayo ng totoong pera. Sa pangalawa, ganoon pa rin. Sa susunod na pag-transact mo sa kanila, ang ibibigay nila sayo ay peke na,” Southern Police District director Brigadier General Kirby Kraft said.

Recovered from the foreign nationals were counterfeit bills worth $1.7 million, over P2 million worth of fake P1,000-peso bills, a caliber .33 revolver, and a fake identification card one of them uses to present himself as a doctor of the United Nations. Also seized in their hideout in Makati City were fake cash worth at least $1 million.

“Ito po mismong pinirmahan ng Bangko Sentral. 'Yung nakuha natin ay mga pekeng pera. Mensahe po sa mga nabiktima, pwede bang kayo ay lumutang kung kayo ay kilala ninyo lahat ng mga nahuli para dagdagan ang kaso para sa kanila,” NCRPO regional director Major General Jonnel Estomo said.

GMA News reached out to the suspects for their statement but they declined to comment.

Meanwhile, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) advised the public to remain vigilant amid the expected influx of counterfeit bills during the holiday season.

“Mahalaga lang tandaan itong tatlong bagay na ito. Ito 'yung feel, look, tilt method,” BSP Payment and Currency Investigation Group chief Mark Fajardo said.

“Kung ito ba rough to the touch. Hindi siya parang bond paper na 'pag sinalat mo, smooth na smooth. 'Yung watermark, i-review mo ito against the light. Pareho ba 'yung image nung nasa portrait against doon sa watermark? ‘Pag tinilt mo, nag-iiba 'yung kulay, lumalabas 'yung concealed value at a certain angle,” he said.—Sundy Locus/GMA Integrated News