Victoria police seize $10K in counterfeit cash in Facebook Marketplace scam

The Victoria Police Department says it first received a complaint about the man after a woman sold him $1,500 worth of Pokémon cards before realizing the currency he gave her was fake. (Handout)

Police in Victoria say a man has been arrested with thousands of dollars in counterfeit cash after trying to buy Pokémon collector cards from residents using Facebook Marketplace.

The Victoria Police Department says it first received a complaint about the man on March 19, one day after a woman sold him $1,500 worth of Pokémon cards before realizing the currency he gave her was fake.

“The bills had an odd texture, duplicate serial numbers, and removable holographic security features,” the department said in a statement Thursday.

Investigators say the man later tried to buy $2,700 worth of cards from the same seller. But this time the police were waiting for him, the statement said.

The suspect was arrested with $10,200 in counterfeit currency, police said.

Authorities suspect there are other victims linked to the man, who police say used the name “Lovedeep Dhillon” to buy Pokémon cards and electronics on Facebook Marketplace.

Police say the investigation is ongoing, and officers are urging anyone who believes they were the recipient of counterfeit cash to contact the E-Comm report desk at 250-995-7654.

“If you encounter counterfeit bills, report details about the transaction and the person who gave you the bills to the police,” the statement said.

“For transactions requiring a large amount of cash, suggest to the seller that you meet at a secure location, such as a bank to verify the bills.”