Pair in Lexus passing bogus bills ID’d

A spate of counterfeit bills has been passing through Delaware County recently.

Last week, a Chester man was stopped trying to pass a counterfeit $20 bill at Harrah’s Casino, and Springfield police are looking for a motorist who passed off a $100 stage bill at the Swiss Farms on Chester Pike in the Swarthmore section last week.

A duo then tried to pass more bogus bills on a separate visit to the same store.

The owner of the store posted a video still on social media showing two white men in a Lexus sedan. The passenger is wearing a dark colored sweatshirt with yellow lettering, possibly reading “West Virginia.”

“Delco we need your help let’s make these scumbags go viral,” said owner Bill

Bohne on Facebook.

Indeed it did go viral. By Tuesday afternoon, Springfield police confirmed the image was accurate and the two subjects have been identified and charges are going to be filed.

In the Harrah’s incident, state troopers determined there was no criminal intent by the man with the $20 and he wasn’t charged.

The United States Secret Service is responsible for investigating counterfeiting.

Michael Centrella, special agent in charge of the Philadelphia Field Office of the Secret Service, said while many criminals have moved to cybercrimes and scams, counterfeiting is still around.

Centrella said there may be a local uptick, but the incidents are part of a normal flow by small-time criminals. He said they are also seeing an increase of cases involving motion picture money.

He said most incidents of counterfeiting are handled on the local level by police. The Secret Service is brought in on larger incidents. He also said counterfeiting is a big part of the drug trade.

Centrella said there had been a recent arrest in Radnor Township in a postal financial crimes and identity-theft-type case. The Secret Service got involved because thousands of “dollars” in counterfeit bills were found.

The federal government offers information on security features to help identify authentic bills. Those features include security threads, watermarks, the location of the portrait and microprinting.

Officials said currency is made of linen and cotton with a special printing process to give bills a special feel that is rough to the touch, that can help the public know if the cash in hand is counterfeit.

Bills also have red and blue fibers embedded in them and bills over $5 have a a watermark.