‘Significant increase in fake bills poses a concern’

A visiting U.S. Secret Service special agent has noted a significant increase in the amount of counterfeit U.S. currency being circulated on Saipan in the last three months.

In an interview with Saipan Tribune, special agent Virgil D. “Gus” Reichle corroborated Crime Stoppers Program coordinator Jason Tarkong’s statement that these fake dollar bills are now being made locally.

“We believe these fake bills are made here on Saipan. But as far as hard proof, we don’t have it right now,” Reichle said.

Reichle and fellow special agent Mac Bostic recently conducted a free workshop for businesses and law enforcement representatives at the Saipan Chamber of Commerce due to a recent rash of counterfeit complaints on the island.

He said that, based on his 10-year experience as a special agent, these types of digitally produced counterfeit are more likely than not being made right here on the island.

Reichle also confirmed that the U.S. Secret Service is jointly conducting with the Department of Public Safety an investigation on the bogus bills.

The special agent said they are now pursuing leads and that it is just a matter of putting the pieces together. He refused to divulge specific details, saying the investigation is ongoing.

Reichle said the problem certainly poses a concern but that he doesn’t want to cause panic in the community.

He cited that in 2008, they did not have nearly the same number of counterfeit cases as in the last 60 to 90 days on the island.

The U.S. Secret Service is planning to conduct more trainings in the CNMI, especially with the newly recruited police officers.

He said counterfeiters have gotten brazen as they started with $10 bills, graduated to the $20s, and have now started doing $50s and $100s. Reichle advised businesses to scrutinize 20’s, 50’s and 100’s bills.

“My message to the business community is, I don’t want to be paranoid, but certainly scrutinize their money when they have financial transactions. If they actually come across a counterfeit, they should try to be a good witness,” the special agent said.

In February 2008, Reichle conducted the same counterfeit detection training at the Saipan Grand Hotel. That time, he said the counterfeit problem was not a big problem yet in the CNMI.

Police Officer 2 Tarkong on Wednesday disclosed that people involved in illegal drugs are believed to be behind the circulation of these fake bills.