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
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING 'Just wait': Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city amid multiple reports
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.