The Secret Service has been called in to investigate the discovery and seizure of $304,500 in fake U.S. currency at JFK International Airport in New York.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection says a man on a flight from Ecuador tried to bring the trove of fake cash into the country, reports NBC New York.
The CBP says the phony money “very closely” resembles American bills, and Director of New York Field Operations Francis Russo says the seizure highlights a broader pattern at play.
“Criminal groups are targeting the people, businesses, and the security of the United States’ financial well-being by trying to make a quick buck, while negatively impacting our economic vitality.”
The man who was arrested has not been identified, and investigators have not disclosed what charges he man face.
Patrick J. Freaney, the Special Agent in charge of the US Secret Service’s New York field office, says the discovery underscores the importance of the agency’s efforts to protect paper money.
“This counterfeit seizure exemplifies the importance of this work and affirms the need for strong partnerships with agencies like Customs and Border Protection.
Together, we will continue to disrupt the kind of criminality that dupes unwitting victims and serves to undermine the nation’s financial well-being.”
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