The Police have arrested a 52-year-old man who is believed to be involved in the production of S$50/- counterfeit notes.
On 26 May 2016 at about 10.00 am, the Police received a report that S$50/- counterfeit notes were presented for payments at a convenience store located in the vicinity of Hougang Street 91.
Officers from Hougang Neighbourhood Police Centre conducted extensive ground enquiries to establish the suspect’s identity and subsequently arrested him along Hougang Avenue 8 on 26 May 2016 at about 3.15 pm. A printer, a bag and several pieces of S$50/-, which are believed to be counterfeits, were seized as case exhibits.
Police investigations are ongoing. Anyone who is convicted of Using As Genuine Counterfeit Currency Notes shall be punished with imprisonment term which may extend to 20 years, and shall also be liable to fine.
The counterfeit notes, which are believed to be photocopied reproductions, lack security features such as watermark (an image that can be seen when held up to the light), and security-thread (thread that is interwoven in the paper running vertically down) found on genuine notes. They contain simulated kinegram (octagonal reflective foil) which is distinctively different from those on genuine notes. The image on the simulated kinegram does not shift when the note is tilted. The surface of the counterfeit notes also lacks the embossed feel on genuine notes. An image of the counterfeit note is appended below:
COUNTERFEIT
To date, the counterfeit notes in the cases reported bear the following four serial numbers:
· 5DC995967;
· 4KT595133;
· 4AX921719 and
· 4LB831932
Members of the public are advised to be alert of counterfeit notes of other different serial numbers. If it is suspected that they have received a counterfeit currency note, members of the public are advised to adopt the following measures:-
- Delay the presenter, if possible, and call the Police at '999' immediately;
- Observe the presenter's description, such as gender, race, age, height, built, attire, tattoo marks, ear-studs, language/dialect spoken as well as that of any companions;
- Note the vehicle registration number (if any); and
- Limit the handling of the suspected note and place it in a protective covering, such as an envelope, to prevent any tampering and hand it over to the Police immediately.
Information on the security features of genuine Singapore currency is available on the MAS website at
https://www.mas.gov.sg/currency/circulation-currency/identifying-genuine-currency
If you have any information pertaining to the above case, please call the Police hotline at 1800 – 255 0000 or dial 999 if urgent Police assistance is required. Information can also be submitted online http://www.police.gov.sg/iwitness. All information will be kept strictly confidential.
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
31 May 2016 @ 8:10 PM