Russian woman arrested over fake US$50 banknotes

Arrest and Initial Findings

Kamala Police are currently investigating the case of a Russian woman, identified only as Ms. Evgenia, 22, who was arrested at a pool villa in Moo 5, Kamala on Saturday evening, July 27. Ms. Evgenia was taken into custody following a complaint from a currency exchange booth located in front of the Big C store in Kamala. The booth reported that three out of four US$50 bills she had exchanged were counterfeit.

Seizure and Questioning

Upon searching the villa, police discovered 32 more counterfeit US$50 banknotes. Ms. Evgenia, along with three other Russians staying with her, was taken to Kamala Police Station for questioning.

Ms. Evgenia's Explanation

During questioning, Ms. Evgenia explained that her father had given her 60 US$50 banknotes for her trip to Phuket with friends. The group traveled via Shanghai, where they changed planes and arrived in Phuket on Monday, July 22. On Tuesday, July 23, Ms. Evgenia exchanged four of the banknotes at the currency exchange counter in front of the Big C store in Kamala. The staff at the exchange counter realized that three of the bills were fake and notified the police. Ms. Evgenia was tracked down through the photocopy of her passport provided during the exchange.

Charges and Ongoing Investigation

Ms. Evgenia claimed she was unaware that three of the four banknotes were counterfeit. Despite her claims, she currently faces preliminary charges of importing counterfeit or altered banknotes into the Kingdom and distributing counterfeit banknotes within the country. Kamala Police are continuing their investigation to determine if Ms. Evgenia and her father were unwitting victims of a larger criminal operation.

Broader Implications

This incident highlights the challenges faced by authorities in tracking and combating the circulation of counterfeit currency. It also underscores the importance of vigilance by both the public and businesses in identifying and reporting counterfeit money. The ongoing investigation aims to uncover whether a larger criminal organization is involved, potentially leading to more arrests and a broader understanding of the counterfeit currency network.