CRIME ALERT: USE OF COUNTERFEIT MONEY AS MODE OF PAYMENT

Hi All SHCians,
Just rec’d this message from a fren of mine and feel that should share with all of you regarding this crime alert.

Quote"
Ref no: SSWG 01/2009
5 January 2009
Community Involvement Division
Operations Department
Police Headquarters
New Phoenix Park
28 Irrawaddy Road
Singapore 329560

Dear members of the Safety and Security Watch Group,
CRIME ALERT: USE OF COUNTERFEIT MONEY AS MODE OF PAYMENT (FOR YOUR INFORMATION)

Police has recently received reports of unknown person using counterfeit money as mode of payment. To date more than 30 cases were reported and as we approach the period of festive sales, we would like to reiterate the importance for being vigilant.

Modus Operandi – Please take note that the culprit will normally use a fake currency note of S$50/- note (commonly bearing the serial number: 2EY322725) at pubs, restaurants, petrol kiosks, convenient stores and 4D outlets for purchases.

The scam can also take in other forms ie culprit may also seek assistance in changing loose notes using counterfeit money, on the pretext of urgent need.

Crime Prevention Measures – Public and sole proprietors should remain alert and pay extra attention when customers pay for purchases using higher denominations of cash, e.g. S$50/-. Below are a few measures which can assist public to identify counterfeit notes and prevent you from falling victim to a similar ruse.

What to look out for?
1. Counterfeit Notes using serial number: 2EY322725;

2. Poor quality paper that has a waxy surface without the following intaglio: a. No raised printing; b. No shimmering effect on the kinegrams; c. No Security Thread; and

3. Although the counterfeit note simulated the outline of the watermark, but it does not have three-dimensional portrait of the late President Yusof Bin Ishak when examined under light.

What retailers and shop owners can do to prevent falling victim?
1. While such cases are not new, cashiers should be constantly reminded to be vigilant to prevent from falling victim;

2. During peak hours, cashier should decline requests for change of larger notes politely by citing the long queue as a reason;

3. If possible, additional staff should be deployed, especially during peak operating hours;

4. CCTVs should be strategically positioned to cover the cashier counter and allow the image of customers to be captured;

What you can do when you receive such notes?
1. When presented with the counterfeit note, do not return the suspected note to the suspect;

2. Delay and keep the suspect at sight and if possible contact the police immediately;

3. Take note of the description of the culprit, eg gender, age, height, built, attire, scars/tattoos, accent of language or any distinct features;

4. Note the suspect(s)’ mode of escape and take down the vehicle registration number if he/they had escaped in a vehicle;

5. Minimize the handling of the note and carefully place it in a envelope/polymer bag and hand it to the Police when they arrive.

We seek your assistance to disseminate the crime alert to all your members so that they can take the necessary precaution to protect themselves against such crime. If you have any information relating to the above cases, please do not hesitate to contact Police hotline at 1800 – 255 0000 or dial ‘999’ if urgent police assistance is required.

Yours faithfully,
SHERRIN CHUA
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT DIVISION
OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT
SINGAPORE POLICE FORCE
Crime Prevention – A Shared Responsibility" Unquote