$6.5M In Fake Cash From Russia Seized In Philadelphia: Customs

PHILADELPHIA — Fake United States cash worth several million dollars was seized in Philadelphia by customs officers recently.

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, customs officers in Philadelphia seized more than $6.5 million in counterfeit currency on Tuesday in an international air cargo going from Russia to an address near Chicago.

Officers seized a combined $6,511,294 in counterfeit United States currency that arrived in five parcels.

The latest parcel, which officers inspected on Tuesday, contained 3,011,000 euros in denominations of 10, 50, 100 and 500 euro notes. The euros converted to approximately $3,485,794 in U.S. dollars.

Officers also discovered $20,500 in fake $1 bills in one parcel on Sept. 14, then $2,000,000 in fake $100 bills and $15,000 in fake $1 bills in separate parcels on Sept. 16, and then $990,000 in fake $100 bills on Sept. 17.

CBP contacted the U.S. Secret Service who confirmed the currency as counterfeit. The currency will be turned over to Secret Service agents.

As in the Sept. 7 seizure, these latest parcels were manifested as “Play Money for Monopoly.” The notes were marked as prop money — which federal law considers as counterfeit currency — but the notes too closely resembled authentic U.S. currency.

The United States places legal restrictions on the reproduction of banknote images and those who attempt to pass these fictitious notes as legal tender face severe consequences under U.S. law.

"This is an outstanding interception by Customs and Border Protection officers of an alarming amount of restricted currency that may be altered to look authentic and potentially used to hurt our nation’s most vulnerable citizens," said Edward Moriarty, CBP’s Acting Area Port Director in Philadelphia. "CBP remains committed to working with our law enforcement partners in our collective efforts to interrupt financial scams and to protect our nation’s economic security."