Limerick woman receives payment for dog in counterfeit notes
Gardaí have warned the public over the fake notes
GARDAÍ in Limerick have issued a warning regarding counterfeit money after a woman was paid for a dog in fake notes.
The woman in Newcastle West sold a Pomeranian pup to a male who paid her in cash. When she examined the notes later she discovered that they were all fake €20 notes.
She does not have any details about this male that can assist gardaí in an investigation and he chose an exchange spot that was not covered by CCTV.
Sergeant Ber Leetch, crime prevention officer at Henry Street garda station said she has received warnings from other crime prevention officers across Ireland that fake €50 notes are currently in circulation.
"They were of a very good quality and they had tricked a number of retail outlets nationwide. I noticed that a number of retailers now have the automatic change registers that calculate the amount of change to be given.
"These registers also check the notes and can detect fake notes. If your business deals in cash, you should at least have the pen for marking notes that could show up a fake note."
Sergeant Leetch also gave advice to people who meet others to buy items from online.
"If you are buying or selling something online, ensure you have some identifying details about the person you are dealing with.
"A phone number is not sufficient, get a registration number of a car and try to conduct the exchange in an area that is covered by CCTV. If the other person refuses to meet in your designated spot be very suspicious".