The Judiciary Police (PJ) said in a statement yesterday that the number of practice banknote scams has increased significantly this month, with a total of 19 cases being reported between November 1 and 22, resulting in a total loss of about 3.6 million patacas and leading to the arrest of 21 suspects.
The statement said that the Judiciary Police will step up their efforts to prevent and combat fraud in response to multiple cases of “fake banknote” scams at local casinos that have caused huge financial losses.
According to the statement, police continue to deploy police officers to step up checks on casinos and surrounding areas, and ban people suspected of engaging in illegal money exchange activities from entering casinos and even entering the city.
At the same time, in view of the recent Macau Grand Prix and the significant increase in the number of visitors to Macau, the police also have launched an anti-crime information campaign on the prevention of money exchange and practice banknote scams to remind the public and tourists to be vigilant against illegal money exchange activities.
Locals and tourists should also be vigilant to avoid falling into the trap of counterfeit banknote fraud, the statement said.
A practice banknote is generally similar in size, shape and colour to circulating banknotes. It is used for training bank tellers, cashiers and staff at currency exchanges, according to Wikipedia.
Usually, fraudsters bundle the practice banknotes into a stack, with adhesive tape used to cover the Chinese characters for “practice banknotes” printed on the notes, in order to deceive their victims.
This undated handout photo provided by the Judiciary Police (PJ) shows two PJ officers displaying practice banknotes during a press conference.
