The Police have arrested a 30-year-old woman for her suspected involvement in at least 10 cases of using counterfeit S$50 notes.
Between 16 and 20 June 2019, the Police received multiple reports that counterfeit S$50 notes were presented for payments at retail outlets and convenience stores located in Hougang and Tampines housing estates.
Officers from the Commercial Affairs Department conducted extensive ground enquiries and established the identity of the woman. She was subsequently arrested along Hougang Avenue 2 on 23 June 2019 at about 9.00am. Two pieces of S$50 notes, which are believed to be counterfeits, a printer, printing paper, stationery, apparels, an EZ-link card, cash amounting to more than S$1,200/- and two handbags were seized as case exhibits. Preliminary investigations revealed that the woman is believed to have printed several pieces of S$50 notes with her own printer and used the counterfeit S$50 notes on at least 10 occasions to purchase items of low value. She is also believed to be involved in a case of theft in dwelling reported in February 2019.
The woman will be charged in court on 24 June 2019 with the offences of counterfeiting currency notes and using as genuine counterfeit currency notes under Section 489A and 489B of the Penal Code, Chapter 224, respectively. Anyone convicted for the offence of counterfeiting currency notes shall be punished with an imprisonment term which may extend to 20 years, and shall also be liable to fine. Anyone convicted for the offence of using as genuine counterfeit currency notes shall be punished with an imprisonment term which may extend to 20 years, and shall also be liable to fine.
The Police would like to remind members of the public to be wary of receiving possible counterfeit notes. If you have received any suspected counterfeit currency note, you should:
• Report it to the nearest Neighbourhood Police Centre;
• Delay the person(s) who presented the suspected counterfeit note, if possible, and call the Police at ‘999’ immediately;
• Note the description of the person(s) who presented the counterfeit note, including gender, race, age, height, built, clothing, tattoo and language/dialect spoken;
• Note the description of the vehicle used, if any, including its registration number; and
• Limit the handling of the suspected counterfeit note and place it in a protective covering, such as an envelope, to prevent further tampering. Hand it over to the Police immediately.
Information on the security features of genuine Singapore currency is available on the MAS’ website at: http://www.mas.gov.sg/Currency/Security-Features/How-to-identify-genuine-notes.aspx
Case Exhibit
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
23 June 2019 @ 8:40 PM