Fake $100 and $20 bills Intercepted in an Express Shipment
and 3,049 pieces of $20 counterfeit notes with a combined
face value of $110,180.
LOS ANGELES—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers assigned to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) express consignment operations seized $110,180 in counterfeit United States currency Friday that was discovered in an express parcel shipment originating from Hong Kong and with a destination in Northern California.
CBP officers discovered the counterfeit notes while conducting an enforcement examination of a shipment declared as “BAR PROP 35PCS”. Inside the package officers found 492 pieces of counterfeit $100 notes and 3,049 pieces of $20 counterfeit notes with a combined face value of $110,180.
All the notes were determined to be counterfeit based on the quality, shipping method, and the “Prop Copy” printing on the back of the bills. The shipment was seized under 19 USC 1595a(c) for violation of 18 USC 513.
into the American economy, CBP disrupts criminal groups
that target our citizens, businesses and the security
of the United States financial system,” said Carlos
C. Martel, CBP Director of Field Operations
in Los Angeles.
“By preventing the introduction of counterfeit currency into the American economy, CBP disrupts criminal groups that target our citizens, businesses and the security of the United States financial system,” said Carlos C. Martel, CBP Director of Field Operations in Los Angeles.
Counterfeiting Federal Reserve notes is a federal crime. Visit the United States Secret Service’s website for detailed information. Both consumers and retailers can protect themselves from inadvertently receiving counterfeit currency by quickly glancing at the note.
“This significant interception exemplifies the vigilance, dedication and keen focus of CBP officers in detecting and intercepting contraband arriving in express consignment facilities,” said LaFonda Sutton Burke, CBP Port Director of Los Angeles International Airport.
If you have any suspicion of or information regarding suspected fraud or illegal trade activity, please report the trade violation to e-Allegations Online Trade Violation Reporting System or by calling 1-800-BE-ALERT.
The enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights is a CBP Priority Trade Issue. Priority Trade Issues represent high-risk areas that can cause significant revenue loss, harm the U.S. economy, or threaten the health and safety of the American people. They drive the risk-informed investment of CBP resources as well as enforcement and facilitation efforts, including special enforcement operations, outreach, and regulatory initiatives.