Hard economic times are no excuse for this, police say.
‘Money doesn’t grow on trees and it shouldn’t come off your home printer either,? said Lake Orion Police Chief Jerry Narsh.
Not only is it illegal to create counterfeit money, but it’s also illegal to knowingly pass it, and this is a lesson 28-year-old Lake Orion resident Deondre Saurus Abrams is learning.
According to Narsh, Abrams has been identified as the person that passed at least two counterfeit $20 bills in the Village in April. It was a story that was first reported in the April 23 Review.
Narsh said it’s rare that the police are able to make an arrest on the possession and passing of counterfeit US currency, and he’s happy to have been able to make headway in a crime that hurts local residents and businesses.
‘This is a society crime that damages an already weakened economy,? he said. ‘We were very fortunate to have connected the dots and prevented further victimization of our local businesses.?
The Lake Orion Police Department worked closely with an agent from the United States Secret Service’s Detroit office, who positively identified both notes as counterfeit.
At this time, the investigation is still ongoing and law enforcement has not yet located the source of the printing of these counterfeit bills.
Narsh reminds local business owners and individuals to be aware of the money that is passed to and from them, and notes there are some things they can do to protect themselves from unwillingly receiving counterfeit bills.
‘Flip a bill over and look at both sides,? Narsh said, noting that with counterfeit bills you may see a color differentiation from the front to the back. ‘The larger the bill, the more scrutiny you need to give it.?
Narsh also said to look for the scan bar and the watermark, and, in terms of businesses, to use a counterfeit detection pen. Since several styles of bills are in circulation at any given time, he added it’s important to be alert and aware of the different styles.
‘It behooves you to be aware of this and to pass this information along to your clerks,? Narsh said.
He recommends developing a policy to have in place, and said he is ‘more than happy to talk to them about establishing a safe policy.? He can be reached at (248)693-8321.
Abrams was arraigned on June 4 and released on $10,000 personal bond. His charges carry the possibility of a five-year felony and/or a $2,500 fine.
Narsh said the Secret Service gets involved in all counterfeit cases.
‘It’s a very serious charge and you will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,? he said.
‘Think twice. Get a job,? Narsh added. ‘I know they’re hard to find, but make honest money not fake money.?