Sooke RCMP are asking for the public’s help identifying two men allegedly involved in a counterfeit currency transaction at a local gas station.
According to Sooke RCMP, the incident occurred on December 20th just after 6 p.m. at the Chevron station located at 6610 Sooke Road.
Investigators say two men attended the business and conducted a transaction using a counterfeit $100 bill. The incident was reported to police on December 22nd.
The first suspect is described as a Caucasian man between 20 and 30-years-old with brown hair and a beard. He was wearing a black North Face jacket at the time of the incident.
See also: Saanich Police warn of numerous counterfeit currency reports
The second suspect is described as a Caucasian man between 20 and 30-years-old who was wearing a blue and green shirt.
“We are asking business owners as well as individuals selling private goods to use vigilance when conducting monetary transactions,” said Cpl. Alex Bérubé, spokesperson for the BC RCMP.
“We encourage you to familiarize yourself with the security features of bank notes or to simply refuse it if it appears suspicious.”
The investigation comes one day after Saanich Police issued a public warning about an apparent increase in counterfeit $100 bills circulating in the region.
Saanich Police said several counterfeit bills have been used in recent days both in retail locations and in private transactions, many of which were arranged through Facebook Marketplace.
“If you are accepting cash during a transaction, please make sure to inspect it carefully,” Saanich Police said in a media release.
Police advise residents to inspect bills before accepting them, refuse any bill that appears suspicious, and become familiar with the security features found on genuine Canadian currency.
Anyone who discovers they have received a counterfeit bill is advised not to attempt to use it, and instead turn it over to police.
It is not yet known whether the Sooke incident is connected to the recent reports in Saanich.
Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact Sooke RCMP at (250) 642-5241.
