Three face charges of counterfeiting

FARGO — Three men are in custody facing possible forgery charges after police said they connected them with a counterfeiting operation that passed thousands of dollars in fake bills.

Fargo police Lt. Joel Vettel said Thomas Porkpah Paye, 24, Marcus Yeah, 22, and Nyantey Gaylah, 24, all of Fargo, were arrested Friday on suspicion of facilitating forgery after businesses reported receiving suspicious-looking bills in higher denominations.

Vettel said police investigators, with the help of the Secret Service, identified the three suspects who he said had “washed” genuine $5 bills at various locations in the city, then altered them to look like higher-denomination ones.

“It’s a significant case, not one or two, but multiple bills,” said Vettel, adding up to at least $2,000 in losses to various businesses around the region, over the last several months or so.

Vettel said the “washing” technique isn’t unusual for counterfeiters, although it may be locally.

Police are continuing to investigate whether other individuals were involved.

Vettel encouraged local businesses and their employees to take a more careful look at the $20, $50 and $100 bills they receive.

Tags: news, crime