Scammer wanted for 'washing' money after fake $100 bills given to 2 Quakertown shops

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Friday, February 23, 2024
2 Quakertown businesses given counterfeit money
Criminals get away with it by washing currency, or changing the amounts on the bill to a higher denomination

QUAKERTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) -- A scammer or scammers are wanted for giving counterfeit $100 bills to two businesses in Bucks County.

The unidentified merchants in Quakertown went to the bank and were told the bills were not real $100 bills.

Criminals get away with it by "washing" currency, or changing the amounts on the bill to a higher denomination, like making $100 from a $10.

Because it is still a real bill, counterfeit detection pens are useless.

"Basically, change the amounts and the image on it to a higher denomination. These pens are marking on the washed bills, because they are, in fact, real bills," said Ryan Hawke, an officer with Quakertown Borough Police.

Legit $100 bills have five security features:

  • A 3D security ribbon
  • A bell in the inkwell
  • A color-shifting numeral
  • A watermark
  • A security thread
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