Police have arrested two men suspected of bringing 6.7 million in counterfeit riel (about $1,750) to Siem Reap province, a provincial police official said Sunday.
Police in Siem Reap’s Puok district arrested the suspects after responding to a report Friday from the owner of a gold and money exchange shop at the Puok Market, said Ton Chhay, penalty department chief of the provincial police. Officers confiscated 134 counterfeit 50,000 riel notes from the two, he added.
Police identified the suspects as Chea Ponlok, 27, and Lon Voeung, 27. They are believed to have obtained the counterfeit notes in Thailand, police said.
The two allegedly used the notes to buy cows, water buffalo and gold from villagers in Banteay Meanchey and Siem Reap provinces and bought gold at another market, Ton Chhay said.
Police said the confiscated notes were new versions made in Thailand last year that looked real because of improved counterfeit techniques, Ton Chhay said.
