2 men arrested in Las Piñas for selling fake money online

Two suspects were arrested in Las Piñas City for selling fake money online, the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) of the Philippine National Police said Friday. 

In a statement, the ACG said the suspects, identified as 18-year-old “Usa” and 30-year-old “Agila,” were arrested in an entrapment operation on Wednesday.

This was in response to the report from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) regarding the online sale of counterfeit banknotes.

The Northern District Anti-Cybercrime Team conducted cyber patrolling and caught a social media post by one of the suspects offering a counterfeit P1,000 bill for only P150.

Seized from the suspects were 150 fake P1,000 bills sold for P22,500 during the operation.

The suspects are facing charges for illegal possession and use of false treasury or banknotes and other instruments of credit under Article 168 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Section 6 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

“The sale of counterfeit currency online undermines our financial system and exploits the trust of unsuspecting citizens. Let this serve as a warning to those attempting to use the internet to circulate fake money,” ACG chief Police Brigadier General Bernard Yang said.

“The PNP ACG is actively monitoring these platforms and will act decisively to bring offenders to justice as we remain committed to protecting the public and preserving the integrity of our currency,” he added. —Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA Integrated News