Posted on July 2, 2013, Tuesday
ILL LUCK: Vong (right) and Ho showing the counterfeit RM50 they have received from customers. — Photo by Chin Tze Pin
KUCHING: Beware of counterfeit RM50 notes in circulation here.
Several hawkers, including Kuching City South Hawkers and Petty Traders Association secretary Vong Wei Liang and Youth chief Ho Kui Ping, have fallen victims.
They believe the perpetrators had used it during busy hours to avoid detection.
The association’s chairman Tan Choon Yong told reporters yesterday the victims were not aware the notes were fake because they looked genuine with a quick glance.
Tan said there were no ‘50’ and images of hibiscus imprinted on the reflective stripe on the right side, and the ‘RM50’ was of a smaller font.
Vong has a food stall at Stutong Community Market and Ho is a fish monger at Kenyalang Hawker Centre. Both claimed they received the counterfeit notes the last two Sundays.
Voon only realised it was counterfeit money after accidentally wetting and tearing the note.
Tan said hawkers were usually very busy on Sundays, and unlike the cashiers at supermarkets, they did not have a device to scan notes they received.
In addition, hawker centres and wet markets are not equipped with CCTVs.
“We normally take a casual glance at the money we receive before slipping them into pouches.”
He said the association wanted to highlight this matter publicly to alert others from falling victim.
“The Kuching Festival will be starting soon, and it pays for stall operators at this annual fair to be extra cautious.”
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