RCMP warn of counterfeit cash in Nanaimo
Nanaimo RCMP are warning workers about counterfeit bills that have begun appearing in the city.
Police say that four incidents of people trying to purchase items with counterfeit cash have been reported since Dec. 1.
Three of the incidents involved $100 bills, and one incident featured a $20 bill.
The first incident was reported on Wednesday after a man bought antiques from a store with three $100 bills, police say.
The man reportedly took out a wad of cash from his front pants pockets and pulled the counterfeit bills out of the clump.
"The suspect was extremely aggressive and managed to persuade the clerk into agreeing to the purchase," said Nanaimo RCMP in a release Monday.
Soon after the transaction was over, police say the worker realized the bills were fake.
"In each reported case, the counterfeit bills were of poor quality, ripped quite easily and the hologram sticker could be scratched off," said Const. Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.
"These are not characteristics of legitimate bills and they should not be accepted," he said.
Police say a white man, about six-feet tall with a muscular build, was involved in two of the incidents, both of which involved fake $100 bills. He has short hair and was wearing a baseball cap with a camo bandana underneath.
Mounties have not released a description of those who may have been involved in the remaining $100 bill scam, and $20 counterfeit bill incident.
Police say the one incident involving a counterfeit $20 bill is not believed to be related to the $100 bills, and may have been an isolated incident.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345, and quote file # 2021-44597.
"If you suspect that a customer has presented a counterfeit bill, politely refuse the transaction and ask for another bill or means of payment," said Nanaimo RCMP on Monday. "Do not get drawn into an exchange with the customer, and if possible, alert other staff to your situation."
Once the customer has left, contact Nanaimo RCMP, police say.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.