Funny Money Shows Up Along The Shore - WMDT 47 News - Delmarva's Choice

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. - Counterfeit money has been making its presence known on the Shore this summer. Two recent arrests are now making local police officials offer some tips on how to identify this funny money. Take a good look at these the bills (pictured to the right). It's not easy to tell which one is fake, that's why Police across the Shore want businesses and residents to learn how to spot what's real and what's not. The warning comes after Quincy Williams and Deontrae Bailey were arrested for allegedly trying to use phony bills at the two local fast food joints including this Popeye's in Princess Anne.

"The officer went up and identified the two suspects, was able to do a photographic line up with the clerks from the stores, and they positively identified them," says Lt. Tim Bozman of the Princess Anne Police Department.

During the investigation, area police have so far recovered several thousands of dollars in counterfeit money. All of which, they say, has been linked to Williams and Bailey.

Police officials say there are three main things business owners should look out for when sniffing out funny money: feel the texture, check for the security strip, or swipe it with a specialized pen.

"You can see this brown mark here. That means that it failed the test, because if it passes it changes to a different color like a lime or yellow," says Lt. Bozman.

Williams and Bailey are being held in the Wicomico County Detention Center. They're facing eight charges in Princess Anne, and at least 12 in Ocean City and they could face even more.

"We usually encourage the stores, if they have any questions or whenever they feel something is suspicious just to call us, and we'll come and look at the bills ourselves," continues Lt. Bozman.