(Le Mars) — Le Mars Police Department is investigating two cases of counterfeit money being passed to local businesses. Le Mars Police Chief Kevin Vande Vegte says earlier in the month a fake $50 was detected, and this week a separate incident involving a fake $100 bill was given as payment.
Vande Vegte believes the two incidents are not connected. He says the $100 bill was false currency that is used for movie productions.
Aside from Le Mars, the “hollywood” money has turned up in Spencer, Storm Lake, and Graettinger. Vande Vegte says he isn’t certain if it is one indivual behind the counterfeit, or several people. The Le Mars Police Chief says unfortunately, the movie currency looks realistic and is readily available through the internet.
Vande Vegte believes the incident may be isolated, and he does not believe it will become a wide-spread problem.
The Le Mars Police Chief offers suggestions as to what people can look for to make certain they have real money.
