The National Police of Timor-Leste (PNTL) have arrested three suspects for allegedly producing counterfeit banknotes in the Luro administrative post in Lautem Municipality.
PNTL General Commander Julio da Costa Hornai said the suspects had produced the fake money using a photocopy machine.
“We seized five $20 notes, including the copy machine, and the three suspects are allegedly the perpetrators,” said Hornai at the PNTL headquarters in Kaikoli, Dili.
He said the alleged perpetrators were now in preventive detention while further investigations were carried out.
He said evidence in the case had also been submitted to the Baucau Public Ministry.
Meanwhile, national MP Paulino Monteiro called on police to conduct an in-depth investigation, as the offence was a serious crime.
“Police should have in-depth investigation so [the perpetrators] are accountable for what they have done,” he said.
Deputy President of National Parliament MP Duarte Nunes said Police should also take serious action to prevent the circulation of counterfeit notes.
“We still use a foreign currency and they fake it – it is not good, police should take action,” he said.
He also called for the National Commerce Bank of Timor-Leste (BNCTL) to raise awareness among the wider community about how to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit notes.
He said it was important that the community be able to recognize fake notes, otherwise the problem would increase across the country.
“They (the community) need to know, so that if they find [a counterfeit note] they can report it to the police immediately,” he said.
