An 18-year-old Gobles man has been arrested after Michigan State Police say he used counterfeit money during a Facebook Marketplace transaction in Van Buren County.
Troopers from the Paw Paw Post responded to a forgery and counterfeiting complaint after two suspects allegedly used fake currency to buy a designer belt during a meet-up in the 19000 block of 32nd Street in Pine Grove Township.
Police say the investigation led troopers to a nearby residence, where the suspects were located and taken into custody. Authorities said they seized approximately $36,400 in counterfeit $100 bills.
The 18-year-old was lodged in the Van Buren County Jail on charges of possession of counterfeit bills and uttering and publishing. A 20-year-old Plainwell man was also arrested and lodged in the Kalamazoo County Jail on an unrelated outstanding warrant.
State police say the threat of counterfeit currency continues to evolve as technology advances. They remind the public not to attempt to pass suspected counterfeit bills and to report them immediately to local law enforcement or the U.S. Secret Service.
Image credit: Michigan State Police.
