$100,000 in Counterfeit Canadian Currency Shipped From China Seized: RCMP

Canadian $100 bills are counted in Toronto, on Feb. 2, 2016. The Canadian Press/Graeme Roy

RCMP in Nova Scotia have seized more than $100,000 in counterfeit Canadian bills after border agents intercepted two packages from China.

The packages were heading to the same address in Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, according to a March 12 news release.

The first package was seized by Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers at Mirabel International Airport in Quebec on Jan. 9. It had counterfeit holographic stickers similar to security strips on Canadian bills, according to police.

About three weeks later, CBSA officers at the international cargo processing facility in Mississauga intercepted about $30,000 in fake Canadian bank notes. The notes were in $10, $20, $50, and $100 bills, the release said.

CBSA reported the packages to the RCMP who say they started an investigation.

On Feb. 11, Nova Scotia RCMP Commercial Crime Section executed a search warrant at a Glace Bay home, assisted by the Provincial Proceeds of Crime Section and Cape Breton Regional Police Service’s Community Safety Enforcement Unit.

At the home, officers seized holographic stickers, about $70,000 in counterfeit currency, electronic devices, and a rifle, among other items, the news release said.

The investigation is ongoing, led by Nova Scotia RCMP’s Commercial Crime section, and assisted by the National Anti-Counterfeiting Bureau, according to police.

Warning

RCMP are now advising Canadians to be cautious when accepting cash.

“Unfortunately, counterfeit money is in circulation across the country,” said Cpl. Mitch Thompson of the Commercial Crime Section. “When printed on polymer, some fake bills may look real if you don’t pay attention to the security features embedded in legitimate currency.”

Residents have been advised to check cash carefully and be aware of the security features of authentic Canadian currency.

“If you unknowingly accept counterfeit cash as legal tender, you can’t be reimbursed; you’re on the hook for the loss. Being familiar with the security features of genuine bank notes will help you spot counterfeits at a glance, protecting yourself from fraud,” Thompson said.

Border agents have intercepted tens of thousands in counterfeit currency from China, according to Jonathan McGrath, CBSA intelligence manager for Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

“Our Halifax intelligence team is working closely with the Nova Scotia RCMP on this investigation. Smuggling counterfeit currency into Canada is a serious offence that can lead to arrest, charges and prosecution under the Criminal Code and Customs Act,” McGrath said.

Officials have previously discovered counterfeit Canadian currency in the country with links to China.

In December 2023, RCMP seized hundreds of notes in PEI that included $100, $50 and $20 notes. The currency had Chinese symbols on it.

In 2022, RCMP charged one individual after police seized more than 10,000 counterfeit toonies in the Toronto area.

It is suspected that additional counterfeit coins made their way into the currency system.

The counterfeit coins have a “split-toe” on the right front paw of the polar bear, resembling a claw, RCMP said.

RCMP said they believe the coins originated in China.

Security Features of Bank Notes

Police advise Canadians to be aware of the security feature of Canadian currency so they can avoid counterfeits.

The Canadian Independent Federation of Business (CFIB) website indicates how to tell the difference between a fake Canadian bill and a real one.

Authentic Canadian bills have the following security features: the words “Bank of Canada”/“Banque du Canada” are raised and can be felt, the colour in the metallic portrait in the transparent window changes if the bill is tilted, the image in the metallic portrait in the transparent window will match the portrait on the front of the bill, and the numbers in and around the large window will match the value of the note.

CFIB also said authentic Canadian bank notes will have maple leaves around the border of the large window, and the frosted maple leaf window will have a transparent outline. The word “Canada” will also feel a little raised, according to CFIB.