Three Arrested for Counterfeit Dollars

Written by DAP NEWS -- Monday, 12 October 2009

(POst by CAAI News Media)

At least three suspected counterfeiter were nabbed on Friday, the Police Implementation Verdict of Office (PIVO) of Ministry of Interior reported.

The three Cambodians Chamroeun Nun, 48, female, Phouk Map, 38, and Yean Chhunly, 30, were all arrested in Rik Reay guesthouse in Phnom Penh’s Russey Keo district with 20 sheets of counterfeit of US$10 notes, a police officer said.

‘Vanna’, the counterfeiting master criminal and buyer, was not caught, a source said.

Chamroeun Nun apparently claimed to have purchased the counterfeit currency from Vanna. “I did not suppose the police catch me with my two accomplices; I thought I would gain from the exchange.”

She admitted to having purchased illegal currency four times, “but the last time the police followed us and arrested us.” An anonymous source said that counterfeit US$100 bills can cost as little as only US$25 from Vanna. The counterfeit currency sheet was said to be “almost 98 percent” similar to the real thing.

Vice Chief of PIVO Ham Kunthy said that he reported information about the counterfeiting ring to Phnom Penh General Police and Director of Justice Central Department to take action.

“All three of the accused will be sent to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court for justice,” he said, adding that there would be further searches for ‘Vanna’. The last few days have seen the arrest of 7 people over counterfeit currency, narcotics and illegal weap- ons trafficking, the MoI’s Security Department Director Chai Sinarith said.

“We almost cannot tell if this currecy is genuine or not,” Narith added.