OCEAN CITY — The Ocean City Police have received 10 complaints of counterfeit money being used at local merchants since June 18. The money is being discovered by the bank industry after the merchants have made a deposit and the bank employee and/or equipment identify the money as counterfeit.

The denominations range from $20 bills up to $100 bills.

It appears that the process involves taking a smaller denomination such as a $5 bill and washing the printing out and then the money is recopied using the information from a larger denomination such as a $100 bill. This allows the bill to be printed on the proper paper used in producing original bills.

This produces a very good replica and is difficult for the average person or store employee to identify. On most occasions the customer is unaware that they are in possession of a counterfeit bill and probably received the money from another location.

On May 31, two per-sons were arrested by the Ocean City Police for passing counterfeit $100 bills at the Ocean City Exxon. These suspects were a black male, age 30 and a white female, age 25.

The reported cases since June 18, have involved four on Asbury Avenue, five on the Boardwalk and one on Atlantic Avenue.
Merchants are again advised to take extra precautions when processing cash payments especially when they involve large bill denominations.