Being jobless is never an easy situation to navigate through as it deprives one of the means to survive. However, it’s not an excuse to participate in illegal activities either.
Two unemployed individuals found themselves on the wrong side of the law after they were found to have printed fake bank notes, where they now face a hefty fine and jail time.
2 M’sians resort to printing fake bank notes after losing their kobs
According to Harian Metro, the two suspects were caught during a raid conducted by a team of police officers at a rented apartment in Kuala Terengganu yesterday (Oct 30).
Terengganu police chief Datuk Mazli Mazlan said police discovered and seized 27 counterfeit RM100 banknotes of various series.
Two mobile phones, a laptop, a printing machine, a Proton Saga, and equipment used in the production of counterfeit money were also seized as well.
We found that the suspects learned how to make counterfeit money through YouTube and their modus operandi involved printing and using the fake RM100 notes for their daily expenses.
“Furthermore, the suspects were believed to have actively used the counterfeit money at shops in the Dungun area in exchange for real cash. They also used the fake notes to purchase cigarettes and drugs from the black market to deceive traders,” he said.
Urine tests also showed that the suspects, who hailed from Terengganu and Selangor, tested positive for methamphetamine.
Suspects remanded for 4 days
Mazli said both suspects were remanded for four days starting from from Sunday (Oct 29) to Wednesday (Nov 1).
The case is being investigated under Section 489B of the Penal Code for passing off counterfeit money as genuine cash and Section 489D for possessing equipment to make counterfeit money, an offense which carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a fine.
The suspects are also being probed under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, where it carries a fine not exceeding RM5,000 and imprisonment not exceeding two years.
Mazli said police had received 38 reports of counterfeit money throughout 2022 and 31 reports this year, adding that the arrests has aided Terengganu police in solving previous cases involving fake money.
He also urged the public to be vigilant when handling banknotes and encouraged them to contact the police if they suspect they had come in contact with counterfeit money.
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