The Investigative Committee has completed its investigation into a criminal case involving the illegal circulation and storage of counterfeit money. Charges have been brought against two Minsk residents aged 22 and 41 and a 31-year-old resident of Barysau. According to a statement by the Investigative Committee, their troubles stemmed from alcohol.
According to investigators, the group had been drinking alcohol in the autumn of last year. When both alcohol and money ran out, one of the women recalled that she had three banknotes in her handbag, each with a denomination of 100 rubles. They had been given to her earlier by an acquaintance, who warned her that he had printed them on a printer — they were not genuine and only resembled real banknotes.
Despite this, the intoxicated group decided to put the banknotes into circulation. They bought food and alcohol at a shop, and the cashier did not notice the deception. Encouraged by their success, they repeated the scheme twice more, receiving change in genuine money.
The counterfeit notes were discovered when the store’s proceeds were deposited at a bank. The banknotes lacked security features and had identical serial numbers.
Investigators identified all participants using CCTV footage.
Two of the suspects are in custody, while the third is under a travel restriction order.
They have been charged under Part 1 of Article 221 (possession with intent to distribute and distribution of counterfeit banknotes in the official currency of the Republic of Belarus) and Part 2 of Article 221 (the same offences committed repeatedly) of the Criminal Code.
