Counterfeit money ring busted in Bali
Most of us who have tried to cash US currency in a money changer in Bali are used to dealing with the nonsense about 1996 bills. In that year there was a lot of counterfeiting and locals fear if they accept a 1996 bill they might get stuck with a fake. This has extended to bills issued before 1996. What makes this whole reaction nonsense is that many money changers will take the bills, but for a lower rate (jacked again!).
The Bali Sun reports that police in Denpasar and Kuta have caught a ring of 4 counterfeiters based on Jl. Imam Bonjol. When arrested they had $162,000 worth of bills and told police their boss operated from Central Java and bought the cash from him at a rate of 200rp to the dollar (normal rate around 9,000rp).
If you come to Bali from the US make sure you don't have bills from 1996 and that your bills are relatively new, clean, with no tears, or marks.
By Nick | Permalink
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Comments
What’s funny about all this is the filthy, stinking, disgusting condition of the local cuurency.
Hi Chan,
Yeah, I agree!. The notes pass through that many hands it becomes alomst diseased - a carrier of anything!.
My wife Candika always washes her hands after handling money.
the other crazy thing about the Indo currency is, have you ever tried to give a note ( to buy something) that is dirty?. The Indonesian’s practically refuse to acept it!. Now THAT is crazy.
Same goes for ALL currencies. Also, make sure there is no writing on the bills (biro scribbles etc).