_a.jpg "Photo: Yaron Brener")
Illustration
Photo: Yaron Brener
Hamas breaks up counterfeiting ring
Hamas authorities find some NIS 20 million in fake bills in gang's hideout, after tracing man trying to distribute counterfeit NIS 100 note
Gaza's Hamas
authorities say they have broken up a counterfeiting ring that had printed millions of dollars worth of fake money.
Police spokesman Ayyoub Abu Shaar said Sunday that authorities uncovered the ring last week when they traced a man trying to distribute a counterfeit 100 shekel bill last week. The Palestinian territories
use Israeli currency for many transactions.
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The man led authorities to a gang and some NIS 20 million, or roughly $5.5 million, in fake bills. Abu Shaar says the money was confiscated before it was put into circulation.
Abu Shaar says police have arrested four people so far, and confiscated equipment including printers, laptops, ink and paper.
It is the largest counterfeiting ring discovered in Gaza since Hamas took control in 2007.
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