Counterfeit money used in Bonnyville and Cold Lake

The counterfeit bills used in the Bonnyville purchases.

Bonnyville and Cold Lake RCMP are warning business owners to double check the money they receive as the RCMP have received multiple reports this month of fraudulent $20 bills being used for purchases.

The counterfeit bills have foreign lettering on them and a different texture than Canadian tender.

The two instances in Bonnyville were purchases at gas stations.

In the afternoon on March 5 at Fas Gas, a suspect paid for $40.00 in cash for fuel with the bills.

The suspect is described as a caucasian male between 35-45 years old.

In the afternoon on March 17 at 7-eleven, fraudulent bills were exchanged for gas and iTunes gift cards.

The suspect is a caucasian female who left in a dark-coloured pickup truck.

“How they managed it was they took the 20 dollar bill and folded the side with the Chinese or Japanese writing, so you just saw the face of the Queen.  As soon as you opened the bill, you could easily tell it wasn’t a true $20,” said Sgt. Hillier, Bonnyville RCMP detachment.

“Just make sure that people, stores, or anyone who exchanges the money to double check it.”

 

Cold Lake

There is less known about the instance in Cold Lake.

An unidentified female entered a restaurant at an unknown date and tried to make a purchase using the counterfeit currency.

The female was described as thin, aboriginal in appearance, approximately 20 years of age with short dark hair and dark-rimmed glasses.

She was observed carrying an envelope with the fake bills that were described as heavier than normal and the bills had a pinkish hue, said the Cold Lake RCMP.

It is unknown at this time if these counterfeit bills had the same foreign lettering on them.

The female left the restaurant after the employee advised that he would not take the money as payment.

She left in a newer model dark truck which was driven by an older unidentified male.

Police are asking the public to be vigilant when accepting paper currency and to report any suspicious
activity.