The Ashanti Regional Police Command has reported a new trend of crime involving fake Ghanaian currency.

According to a statement released on Monday, the suspects are all females within the ages 17 and 40 and have been detained after they were identified at separate locations.

GH¢24,000 has been retrieved from them in 200 and 100 cedis denominations “and are kept in custody as exhibits.”

“The Ashanti Regional Police Command has between the periods of 24th & 29th May 2020 arrested sixteen (16) persons suspected to be dealing in fake Ghanaian currency in the Region.

“The suspects who are all females, between the ages of 17 and 40 years, were arrested at separate locations upon reported cases made against them and their activities. So far

GH¢24,000.00 in fake currencies of 100 and 200 cedis denominations were retrieved from the suspects and are kept in custody as exhibits. 

“The mode of operation of the suspects is to acquire the bigger denomination of fake Cedis notes such as GH¢100.00 and GH¢200.00 denomination to engage in various business transactions in the Region.

“They usually use the fake cedi note to purchase items from unsuspecting traders at shopping centers such as Supermarkets and other markets places which do not have currency detectors.

“They move from one Shop to the other and present the fake GH¢200.00 or GH¢100.00 note to purchase items whose values are negligible and take a change. 

“They also take this fake currencies to unsuspecting mobile money vendors and make deposit into their mobile money wallet,” he added.

The Police have therefore cautioned businessmen and women in their transaction dealings by employing the needed means not to fall in the hands of fraudsters.

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“The Police Command has since taken measures to investigate the source(s) of the fake currencies, as well create awareness among the general public.

1. The general public is therefore advised to be cautious about those who present high denominations to purchase items in small quantity. 

2. They should also be wary of those who intend to make payments in haste with such bigger denominations. 

3. They should get themselves abreast with how to recognize the genuine 200 and 100 Ghana Cedis notes from the counterfeit ones. 

4. Mobile money vendors are to ensure that they receive the currency and examine it before confirming the transfer. 

5. Operators of shopping marts and supermarkets are to acquire currency detector were necessary. 

 “To safeguard the security of businesses, victims of such crime are advised to report promptly to police to initiate investigations into any dubious transaction.

"The antics of the criminals are dynamic and it is when they are reported that the Police can strategize to nib the activities of this syndicate in the bud,” it added.