Thousands of dollars in phony bills passed off as real, police say

HALL COUNTY, Ga. — Police are looking for a trio accused of passing thousands of dollars in phony bills at metro area stores.

Investigators told Channel 2's Tony Thomas, they looked good enough to fool checkout clerks at several major retail stores.

Authorities believe the three men they're looking for are part of a larger counterfeit ring.

"Their main objective was to cash those $100 bills and legitimize it into real money," said Detective Robin Kemp.

Counterfeits were being passed at a Kohl's and then other stores.

"There were 10 passed yesterday at the local Belk store in Gainesville," Kemp said.

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Kemp said more than $2,500 in counterfeit money was used before the store realized.

How were they able fool clerks at major retail chains with the phony money?

The detective said the clerks were either pressed for time or not properly trained to spot a counterfeit bill.

He say real bills have water marks and an embossed, fiber-like texture that's hard to duplicate.

While investigators have identified three suspects, they believe there are others working in a ring.

"I feel like it's a ring going around. A lot of people won't know they've been hit with those until they make deposits in the bank and are told, 'Your $100 bill is bad,'" Kemp said.

Cox Media Group