Two men are set to be charged in court for their alleged involvement in using and possessing counterfeit currency. The suspects, both Bangladeshi nationals aged 33 and 35, were arrested following police investigations into reports of fake Singapore $50 notes being circulated in the Geylang area.
The Singapore Police Force received several reports between September 22 and September 25 regarding the use of counterfeit notes at two separate locations in Geylang. According to the police, the first incident involved the 35-year-old man, who allegedly used a single counterfeit $50 note to purchase food at a restaurant located on Lorong 22 Geylang.
The second reported case involved both men. They allegedly used two counterfeit $50 notes to pay for services along Lorong 16 Geylang. Police officers conducted extensive ground enquiries and reviewed closed-circuit television footage from the affected areas, which allowed them to establish the identity of the 35-year-old suspect.
He was subsequently arrested on September 28. Preliminary investigations following his arrest revealed the involvement of the 33-year-old man in the second case. The 33-year-old was then arrested, and during the arrest, authorities found him in possession of an additional 12 counterfeit $50 notes. All these notes were seized as case exhibits.
The two men will be charged in court on Tuesday, September 30. They face charges for using as genuine counterfeit banknotes and for possessing counterfeit banknotes. The penalties for such offences are severe. Individuals convicted of using counterfeit currency face a potential imprisonment term of up to 20 years and a fine. The penalty for possessing counterfeit banknotes is a jail term of up to 15 years and a fine.
The police have reminded the public to remain vigilant when handling cash. They advised checking for distinctive security features on genuine Singapore currency, such as watermarks, security threads, and the specific texture of the paper. The public is urged to contact the police immediately if they suspect they have received a counterfeit note, to note the passer's description, to handle the note as little as possible, and to place it in a protective covering before handing it over to the authorities.
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