Police Detain Three Sierra Leone Nationals for Selling Counterfeit US Dollar Notes

October 17, 2024

Three men from Sierra Leone were arrested after attempting to sell counterfeit US dollar notes to local buyers, following a raid by the police in the capital. The suspects, aged between 20 and 30, entered Malaysia as students at a private university college in Selangor between 2022 and 2024.

The men reportedly began their operation earlier this year, purchasing fake US dollar notes through social media platforms for as little as RM6.97 for 10,000 USD. They then attempted to resell the counterfeit money to unsuspecting buyers in Malaysia for RM1,000 per 10,000 notes.

During the raid, authorities seized four USD100 notes, blank paper resembling USD100 notes, passports, and two cars—a Naza Forte and a Proton Iriz. The police suspect that the counterfeit money was sourced from China.

The suspects are currently in custody under the Immigration Act and are being investigated under Section 489B of the Penal Code, with their remand extended until October 21.