Banknotes, typically used in the cinema industry, circulate in Guadeloupe and are used by criminals to pay for cheap products and get real money. The victims are mainly small traders. The latter are urged to be vigilant and report users of fake tickets
Note especially for dealers: Counterfeit “film money” bills, namely film props, are currently circulating on our islands.
The gendarmerie of Guadeloupe and the northern islands explained how the perpetrators proceeded, that they make small purchases with dummy tickets worth 50 euros in order to pocket the change. The brands addressed are mainly small structures such as grocery stores, cafés, bakeries, snack bars, bars/tabac, petrol stations or cinemas. These establishments generally have numerous transactions going on at a constant pace, allowing criminals to blend in with the crowd.
Also, detailed elements are shared that allow the detection of this counterfeit money:
Detailed information on how to detect this type of fake currency “movie money” • ©Gendarmerie de Guadeloupe and the North Islands
If you find a counterfeit banknote, you need to apply for another or different type of payment. The police also ask the victims to remember the appearance of the user and, once this customer has left, to contact the gendarmerie and provide any useful information (advertisement, vehicle that may have been used, presence of accomplices …) that could enable its identification. Instructions to be followed as much as possible, being careful not to put yourself in danger.
It is forbidden to put a counterfeit banknote back into circulation. This must be submitted to the Banque de France (IEDOM in Les Abymes) against receipt.
Gendarmerie of Guadeloupe and the North Islands