More than $1 million in counterfeit cash has been seized by police after a raid last week on a Richmond apartment.
The seizure, believed to be one of the biggest in B.C.s history, was made Dec. 11 by a specialized the Integrated Counterfeit Enforcement Team with help from the Richmond RCMP and the RCMP Emergency Response Team.
Four men have been arrested after police dismantled what they describe as a large counterfeit currency factory inside the apartment.
The fake $1.15 million came in sheets of uncut fake Canadian $100 Canadian Journey Series Bank notes, along with blank credit cards, computers and equipment used in the production of counterfeit banknotes and credit cards.
The economic integrity of Canada is a national strategic priority for the RCMP, said Inspector Ian Lawson, operations officer, Federal Commercial Crime Section.
This seizure is a particular success because the RCMP took enforcement action prior to any of the counterfeit currency reaching circulation preventing the proceeds from being used to fund other criminal activity.
Counterfeit cash directly impacts Canadians. By passing this fake money to retailers and consumers, the criminals are stealing from businesses and individuals and leaving all legitimate consumers responsible for the cost.
Four males in their early twenties have been arrested. Recommended charges will include making and possessing counterfeit banknotes and possessing instruments for making counterfeit banknotes.
The Bank of Canada encourages retailers and the general public to check their bank notes. It only takes a few seconds to verify if a note is real or fake. Training materials on counterfeit detection can be obtained by calling the Bank of Canada's toll-free number at 1-888-513-8212. They can also be downloaded from the Bank's website at www.bankofcanada.ca/en/banknotes.
