Duo Used Fake Cash to Buy Money Orders in Westbury, Carle Place: Police

Photo: (l-r) Kristina Fontanez and Simone Brown

Two Queens women were arrested Wednesday for using counterfeit cash to purchase money orders in Westbury and cashed them in Carle Place earlier this month, police say.

According to authorities, Simone Brown, 21, of Jamaica, and Kristina Fontanez, 27, of St. Albans, purchased four United States Postal money orders totaling $2,700 with 27 counterfeit $100 bills from a Westbury post office on March 3.

The women then went to a Carle Place post office where Fontanez cashed two money orders totaling $1,595, police say. Brown allegedly attempted to cash two additional money orders a few minutes later, but an employee became suspicious of the transaction and refused.

The US Postal Inspector notified police and authorities conducted an investigation. Authorities placed Fontanez under arrest Tuesday in front of her home and Brown surrendered to the Nassau County Police Department on Wednesday.

The women were charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument. They will be arraigned Wednesday at First District Court in Hempstead.

Images via NCPD