Mounties seize $1 million in counterfeit $100 bills in Gatineau, Que.
Mounties have made one of the largest seizures of counterfeit currency in more than 20 years.
In a news release, the RCMP say $1 million in "novelty" $100 bank notes was seized after the Canada Border Services Agency intercepted a package.
This led police to search a home in Gatineau, Que. A man and a woman were arrested and are expected to face charges. In addition to the stacks of phony cash, police also seized some electronic devices.
"The investigation revealed that the fake bank notes had been imported from abroad through an Internet website," the RCMP said. "According to the National Anti-Counterfeiting Bureau database, this was the largest seizure of counterfeit 'novelty' bank notes with anticipated charges since 2001."
The bills resemble Canadian $100 bills, but have features that are not found on genuine notes. The Mounties say it is illegal to possess bank notes that resemble genuine bank notes, even if they are of poor quality, and even if they come from legitimate websites.
The charges against the couple have yet to be announced.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU'RE GIVEN COUNTERFEIT CASH
The Bank of Canada has tips on what to do if you suspect you've been given a counterfeit.
During a transaction
If you suspect that you’re being offered a counterfeit note, assess the situation to ensure that you are not at risk. Then, do the following:
- 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 the local police.
- Inform your local police of a possible attempt to pass suspected counterfeit money.
- Be courteous. Remember that the person in possession of the bill could be an innocent victim who does not realize that the note is suspicious.
After a transaction
If you suspect that you’ve received a counterfeit note, give it to the local police.
- If it’s real, you’ll get it back.
- Either way, the police should be informed of possible counterfeiting activity in your community. Timely reporting helps police and prosecutors bring counterfeiters to justice.
- The Royal Canadian Mint says any investigation into counterfeit currency must be initiated by the police.
You can see details about the security features of Canadian bank notes here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
U.S. paused bomb shipment to Israel to signal concerns over Rafah invasion, official says
The U.S. paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over concerns that Israel was approaching a decision on launching a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah against the wishes of the U.S.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.