NEWS RELEASE
YORK REGIONAL POLICE
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Investigators with the York Regional Police #2 District Criminal Investigations Bureau are warning the community about the use of counterfeit currency in exchange for items through buy-and-sell sites.
Since October 2024, there have been 14 incidents of counterfeit currency used in exchange for high-value items from sellers on buy-and-sell sites. When the suspects met with the victims to provide payment in person, $100 Canadian bills were used and later determined to be counterfeit.
In a majority of the incidents, the bills were found to have serial numbers GJR6710018 and GJR710022 printed on them. The words ‘PROP MONEY’ were also located in the window of the bills, (as seen above).
Crime prevention tips:
- Each bill will have its own serial number. Be sure to check the serial numbers if given multiple bills.
- Inspect the window on the bill and ensure the tiny numbers in it match the denomination.
- Ensure the portrait in the window matches the main portrait.
- Ensure the image in the window changes colour.
- When running your finger over the main portrait, the ink should feel raised.
- The maple leaf window should house tiny numbers when looked through a small, bright light source.
Anyone with information is asked to call the York Regional Police #2 District Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7241, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. To leave an anonymous tip online, visit www.1800222tips.com.
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