site.btaPolice Arrest Six in Plovdiv for Counterfeit Money Distribution

Six people were detained for circulating counterfeit dollar and euro banknotes and for holding counterfeit Bulgarian leva, said representatives of the Plovdiv District Prosecutor's Office and the Regional Directorate of the Interior Ministry in Plovdiv on Thursday.

The leader of the group is a 42-year-old Russian citizen, said District Prosecutor Vanya Hristeva. The group worked in money exchange offices, where they exchanged fake euro and dollar banknotes for real Bulgarian leva, as well as in gaming halls. The total amount of damage that has been established thus far is USD 16,900 and EUR 2,000.

Senior Commissioner Stanimir Kaloferov, Director of the Department of Internal Affairs of the Interior Ministry in Plovdiv, commented that there is evidence that the counterfeit money was not printed in Bulgaria and that the group leader brought into the country and distributed it to the other participants of the group.

The pre-trial proceedings in the case began after a tipoff from exchange offices and gambling halls, which reported 79 counterfeit banknotes worth USD 3,950.

Police has searched 18 addresses, automobiles and individuals. banknotes were seized and experts are expected to determine whether they are counterfeit.

The banknotes are of very high quality and can hardly be distinguished from real ones, Deputy District Prosecutor Chavdar Groshev pointed out.