Police arrest three men for counterfeit dollar fraud in Portuguesa

Police in Portuguesa state, Venezuela, have arrested three men accused of using counterfeit U.S. dollars to defraud local merchants. The arrests took place in the El Araguney sector of Biscucuy, following alerts and security camera footage shared by affected business owners on social media.

The suspects, aged 25, 30, and 31, allegedly employed a tactic of purchasing low-cost items with fake foreign currency to obtain legitimate local currency as change. During the operation, authorities seized a blue Bera SBR motorcycle, two mobile phones, various items of clothing, and cash.

The individuals have been placed at the disposal of the First Auxiliary Prosecutor's Office of the Public Ministry to begin legal proceedings. Local police have urged any other merchants who fell victim to this scheme to file formal complaints at their nearest station.