SIBU: The Commercial Crime Investigation Division (CCID) here received 14 reports from wet market hawkers in Sibu Jaya claiming they were scammed with fake RM20 notes yesterday (Jan 30).
Yesterday, a 30-second video went viral on social media that some hawkers were cheated by a customer with counterfeit RM20 notes.
Sibu police chief ACP Zulkipli Suhaili said the suspect, a woman in her 40s, who was accompanied by her five-year-old daughter, had bought various necessities at the market..
“Fourteen hawkers aged between 40 and 50 claimed they dealt with the woman and received a RM20 note each with the serial number CD: 2748412 from her.
“However, none realised the notes were fake until one of the hawkers found the notes to be of poor quality and the ink on the surface of the note spreading.
“One of the hawkers later posted a video on social media to alert the public,” he said.
Zulkipli said the notes were sent to Bank Negara Malaysia to determine their authenticity.
The case is being investigated under Section 489B of the Penal Code which provides for a maximum 20-year jail term and a fine, upon conviction.
“As a preventive measure, the public should check the bank notes received and examine them before handing over goods or doing any business to avoid being cheated,” he added.
