Police are looking for a suspect and have issued a warning after counterfeit bills cost retailers more than $1,000 in Windsor.
Earlier this week fake Canadian $20-bills made the rounds in the Leamington and now U.S. $100 and $50 bills were passed at multiple locations in the city's east-end.
Surveillance video shows a man purchasing items at the Bulk Barn on Tecumseh Rd. E. — similar purchases were made at the nearby Walmart and the Bentley store inside Tecumseh Mall.
Constable Kristina Gilboe tells CTV Windsor the bills aren't something most Canadians see on a regular basis and it has Windsor Police Services asking cashiers to double check money if looks suspicious.
"This particular bill is poorly printed; it doesn't feel the same way a regular bill would. The numerals in the right hand corner are gold and it should be charging green along with the security strip in the centre of the bill is not flush," she says.
Counterfeit U.S. money seized by Windsor Police Service that was used at several stores in east-Windsor. February 15, 2019 (Photo courtesy of CTV Windsor News)
Gilboe encourages the public to take a closer look when handling money; it was only after store officials deposited the cash at the bank that the bills were identified as counterfeit.
"Often time’s counterfeit bills are printed in batches with the same serial number," she added.
The suspect is described as an Arabic man, in his late twenties to early thirties, between 5'-7" and 5'-10" with a medium build and beard. He was last seen wearing all black clothing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Windsor police or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
— with files from CTV Windsor's Stefanie Masotti.