Counterfeits (Bureau for Counterfeit
and Document Examinations)
The Counterfeits Discipline is one component of the Bureau for Counterfeit
and Document Examinations. In this Section suspect travel documents (passports,
visas, etc.), currency and payment cards are examined to determine if
they are genuine, whether they have been altered or are counterfeit.
Assistance is provided to investigators in searching printing plants
suspected of being connected with counterfeiting activities. Services
include:
- conducting forensic examination of Canadian and foreign banknotes
and coins and of negotiable instruments (traveller’s cheques,
bonds) to establish their authenticity;
- conducting classification and database recording of information
pertaining to counterfeit banknotes and dissemination of information
to the Canadian law enforcement community and to foreign agencies;
- providing forensic examination of travel documents and payment cards
suspected of being counterfeit or fraudulently altered; and
- conducting classification and database recording of information
pertaining to counterfeit travel documents and payment cards and
dissemination of the information to Canadian and foreign law enforcement agencies
and to Interpol.
The Counterfeits bureau had received
and examined over 38,000 deceptive counterfeit Bank of Canada $100
notes that had originated from the same source and contained the
same printing defects. A counterfeit Bank of Canada $20 note was
examined and determined to contain similarities to the counterfeit
$100 notes. The $20 note had been produced by a person in southern
Ontario. The RCMP then began surveillance on the suspect.
Through the efforts of the RCMP Commercial Crime Unit, the OPP and the
municipal police, a search was conducted at the suspect’s residence.
Computers, printers, dry embossers, foils, paints, inks and paper were
seized, in addition to 2,300 Bank of Canada $100 notes in various stages
of production. These notes were all classified the same as the 38,000 notes
previously examined.
The accused pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 5 years. His co-accused
were sentenced to 2 years each. |
If you are interested in a career as a Counterfeits examiner, you must
have a Bachelor of Science degree or equivalent degree in
science or a science-based professional degree (e.g. engineering).
Consult the Careers
page for additional employment information.
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