Authorities in Singapore are charging two Chinese nationals for “engaging in a conspiracy to counterfeit Singapore currency notes,” after they tried to deposit the notes at Marina Bay Sands’ casino.
According to a Singapore Police Force release, authorities received a report on 24 August at 3:50am involving a man attempting to change a counterfeit SG$100 (US$78) note at the casino. Preliminary investigations found that the man, a 33-year-old Chinese national, had handed over SG$150,000 (US$118,000) at the cage cashier, requesting to deposit it into his casino account.
One note was flagged by the cage cashier after discovering that it had the word “COPY” printed on it.
The man was escorted by police officers to his hotel room, where a 25-year-old woman was seen “leaving the room with a printer.” After conducting a search, authorities found 121 counterfeit SG$100 notes in her possession, while counterfeiting instruments including bottled ink, paper and a paper cutter were also seized.
The two were charged in court on Wednesday for “engaging in a conspiracy to counterfeit Singapore Currency notes,” which authorities indicates can carry a prison term of up to 20 years and a fine.
Authorities noted that forging bank notes can carry up to 20 years in prison, while using counterfeit currency is also punishable with up to 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine.
Possession of forged or counterfeit currency carries a prison term of up to 15 years and a fine, while making or possessing instruments or materials for forging counterfeit currency carries a prison term of up to 20 years and a fine.
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