GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – Green Bay police are asking people to check their wallets after officers confiscated more than $1,000 of counterfeit cash across several cases.
Within the last six weeks, fraudulent money has surfaced in seven cases with denominations ranging from $1 to $100 in the city of Green Bay.
The department confiscated a total of $1,022 worth of fake money as evidence after suspects allegedly tried to exchange the forged bills for goods at places like convenience stores. Suspects have also been found carrying “REPLICA” or “MOTION PICTURE” money when arrested on other matters.
“We suggest that if something appears to be off about the currency that you’re being handed, such as the texture or print, do not accept it, request another form of payment, and contact us or your local law enforcement agency immediately, so we can catch whoever is trying to knowingly defraud you,” said Commander Kevin Warych, Green Bay Police Department.
“While counterfeit cash and ‘REPLICA’ or ‘MOTION PICTURE’ money are not anything new, we recently confiscated some ‘REPLICA’ money that had appeared to have ‘REPLICA’ scratched off with possible intent to make the money appear real. It’s also uncommon to see lower counterfeit denominations like $1 or $5, so beware.”
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In Wisconsin, the intentional use of counterfeit money has the potential to be a Class H felony with fines reaching $10,000 and/or up to six years in prison.
Anyone with information related to the circulation or printing of counterfeit money can call Green Bay Police at (920) 448-3200. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime stoppers at (920) 432-STOP (7867). You may also submit a tip online at 432stop.com, or utilize the “P3 Tips” app for crime tips.
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