<<Print>>

INVESTIGATIONS CONDUCTED by the Daily Heritage have revealed that fake currency racketeers have shifted their activities to the Eastern region and flooding the markets with counterfeit money. The racketeers are now targeting villages with their criminal activities to swindle unsuspecting farmers and traders. Some of the areas that have recorded incidents of fake currency recently are Koforidua, Tinkon, Akyem Asafo and Akyem Anyinasin. Just recently two students of Koforidua Polytechnic were arrested for buying items with fake Ghanaian currencies. A 32-year-old woman was nearly lynched by Some Market women on Friday for possessing fake currencies which she used to buy items worth GH�300.00. Two other persons were also arrested by the Eastern Regional Police Command for possessing counterfeit currency in large quantity. About two weeks ago, a report reached the paper from Akyem Asafo that the racketeers have again bought items with fake currencies and are now heading towards villages and markets. Similar reports have reached the paper from Akyem Anyinasin in which the informant wants the police to investigate the issuance of fake currencies in the community. Many shops, stores, financial institutions among others have pasted some of the fake currencies for public notice. The Public Relations Officer of the Eastern Regional Police Command, Nketia Yeboah in an interview with Emak fm, a Koforidua based radio station said the police are gathering intelligence report on the activities of the fake currency racketeers. He said those who have been arrested are helping the police with investigations. Mr. Yeboah said samples of the suspected fake currencies have been sent to the Bank of Ghana for its authenticity. He called on the public to be vigilant and assist the police in arresting the perpetrators.