During the past two weeks, the Fort St John RCMP have investigated seven reports of counterfeit currency. 

Reports indicate that there have been numerous counterfeit $50 and $100 bills that have been circulated.

Through investigation, front line officers were able to identify, arrest and charge 41 year old, Wynter Scott with four criminal charges including three counts of Uttering Counterfeit Currency and one count of Breach of Release Order. Scott is currently facing additional counterfeit charges from January of this year. Scott was released on a Release Order and will appear in court again on July 13.

"Typically, large denomination counterfeit currency is used to purchase smaller priced items and the offender receives a significant amount of cash back as change," said Constable Chad Neustaeter, Media Relations Officer for the Fort St John RCMP.  "Occasionally, the offender will return to the business and return the item, receiving the remainder of the cash value back."

The Fort St John RCMP wish to remind local businesses to ensure staff, at all levels, have adequate training in counterfeit bill detection in order to deter the offender from passing bills to them and the financial loss that can follow.  In the event that a business receives a suspected counterfeit bill, retain the bill and call police. 

The Fort St John RCMP continue to investigate and are asking anyone who has information about any counterfeit currency activity to contact police by calling the Fort St John RCMP at 250-787-8100. Should you wish to remain anonymous, please call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online at www.crimestoppersnebc.ca.