The Civil Guard of Yaiza has arrested two tourists as alleged perpetrators of a currency counterfeiting crime, for possessing several fake bills and using them to make payments at a hotel.
The investigated individuals, a 27-year-old woman and a 30-year-old man of English nationality, were arrested on May 26 for counterfeiting up to 51 bills of 10 euros, with a total nominal value of 510 euros.
Both perpetrators introduced the fake money from their country of origin and spent it knowing it was fake, so they could now face prison sentences of between eight to twelve years and a fine of ten times the nominal value of the fake money seized.
The Benemérita agents began their investigation after being alerted by area agents, upon learning that two British tourists had made cash payments at a hotel in Playa Blanca with four fake 10 euro bills. Therefore, they initiated the first inquiries based on the witnesses' statements.
Through a series of frames, the agents were able to verify that the bills were being "smuggled" by two tourists of British origin who were staying at the same hotel complex.
For its part, the Arrecife Duty Court granted them, immediately, authorization to enter and search the occupied room, thus intercepting more counterfeit 10 euro bills, amounting to a total of 51.
Once the search was completed, the Civil Guard proceeded to arrest both people, who will be placed at the disposal of the Arrecife Duty Court together with the seized bills.
To avoid this type of situation, the Civil Guard recommends prioritizing the use of electronic means of payment and emphasizes the importance of establishments having fake bill detectors to verify that the currencies are legal tender.