OC police warn to look out for fake money

OCEAN CITY, Md. (WMAR) -   Ocean City police are warning people to be on the lookout for counterfeit money after two men tried to pass off fake bills several times on Friday.

  The first incident, which occurred at approximately 7:40 p.m., took place in the 200 block of Atlantic Avenue when the men tried to make a small purchase with a counterfeit $20 bill. Employees at the store spotted the counterfeit money and denied the sale. The men fled the area.

  The men tried to pass off their bogus bills two more times, one at approximately 10:54 p.m. in the 100 block of South Atlantic Avenue and the other at 11:10 p.m. in the 400 block of South Atlantic Avenue. In both cases, vigilant employees detected the counterfeit bill by using a counterfeit pen.

  The Ocean City Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating the suspects who attempted to pass the counterfeit currency. The suspects are described as two African American males.

  •One suspect had short, black hair and was wearing a gray shirt and blue pants. He was believed to be approximately 17-years-old and approximately 5’7” tall.

   •The second suspect had long, black braided hair, pulled back into a ponytail, and was wearing a black shirt. He had a dark complexion and was believed to be approximately 17 years old and approximately 5’8” tall.

  Ocean City Police are asking anyone with information bout this incident, or the suspects involved, to please contact the Ocean City Police Department at 410.723.6600.

  In addition, Ocean City Police are encouraging citizens to closely examine currency by looking carefully at the money you receive. Citizens should be aware of the security features located on currency.

How to spot counterfeit money:

  •The genuine portrait appears lifelike and stands out distinctly from the background. The counterfeit portrait is usually lifeless and flat. Details merge into the background, which is often too dark or mottled.

   •On a genuine bill, the saw-tooth points of the Federal Reserve and Treasury seals are clear, distinct and sharp. The counterfeit seals may have uneven, blunt or broken saw-tooth points.

   •Genuine serial numbers have a distinctive style and are evenly spaced. The serial numbers are printed in the same ink color as the Treasury Seal. On a counterfeit, the serial numbers may differ in color or shade of ink from the Treasury seal. The numbers may not be uniformly spaced or aligned.