ALEXANDRIA, La. — The pen commonly used to identify counterfeit money isn't enough to tell that $100 bills being passed in Central Louisiana are phony. Bank tellers and store clerks need to look at other security features built into every bill, police say.
Counterfeiters have been removing the ink from $5 bills and printing them as $100s, said Alexandria Police Sgt. Lee Leach, who is a financial crimes detective. Because they use the paper from real money, they will pass the pen test, he said.
"Last week, 24 counterfeit $100 bills from businesses in the area were collected," Leach said. "The counterfeiters of this caliber typically move on as the money is passed."
The pen's ink checks for chemicals embedded in currency. "The pen can only tell if the paper is authentic or not ... If the money has been washed and you have a fake $100, it's no good and you're out of money," Leach said. Full Story - MagazineLane.com - ESPN Shop
Counterfeiters have been removing the ink from $5 bills and printing them as $100s, said Alexandria Police Sgt. Lee Leach, who is a financial crimes detective. Because they use the paper from real money, they will pass the pen test, he said.
"Last week, 24 counterfeit $100 bills from businesses in the area were collected," Leach said. "The counterfeiters of this caliber typically move on as the money is passed."
The pen's ink checks for chemicals embedded in currency. "The pen can only tell if the paper is authentic or not ... If the money has been washed and you have a fake $100, it's no good and you're out of money," Leach said. Full Story - MagazineLane.com - ESPN Shop
