Counterfeit $100 notes in Tobago

TOBAGO police are working feverishly to contain a flood of counterfeit TT $100 bills originating from the western end of the island. The bad money first surfaced on Monday when 14 bogus $100 bills were identified among monies deposited by the proprietor of a popular restaurant at a bank in Scarborough.

Police are appealing to businessmen, especially over the long weekend, to be on the look-out for these counterfeit bills. The serial numbers on the counterfeit $100 bills are DE107025; DF090831; DH886805. Police authorities have also outlined several distinguishing features by which the counterfeit bills can be identified, with the main feature being the letters CBTT (which stands for Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago) are not visible on the outside of a genuine $100 bill, but is quite visible on the counterfeit bill.

Also, in the counterfeit bill, the paper is lighter and is of a rougher material than a genuine note.  Another identifiable feature of the counterfeit bill is that the ‘bird’ is clearly seen on the outside of the bill, while on a genuine $100 bill the ‘bird’ can only be seen on the inside of the bill when it is held up to light. The business community has been urged to exercise extreme caution and rigid scrutiny. Detective Sgt Garfield Moore of Scarborough CID, is continuing investigations.