Italian arrested

JAKARTA (JP): Central Jakarta Police have arrested a 35-year- old Italian national for allegedly passing off counterfeit American dollars to a local trader.

Central Jakarta Police chief Lt. Col. Iman Haryatna said over the weekend that the foreigner, identified only as Rio, was caught in a taxi with his victim on Wednesday evening by a police patrol.

According to Iman, the suspect persuaded Liem, 30, by saying that he was willing to change Liem's US$1,000 with his $5,000 without any troublesome procedures.

The two men went to Hotel Central, Matraman, to make a deal, the officer said.

After a few minutes, Iman said, Liem agreed to exchange his $1,000 with Rio's $5,000 and they then left the hotel together by taxicab.

"During the trip, Liem suddenly realized that his money had been changed with bogus notes.

"He yelled and screamed, asking for his dollars back," Iman said.

The situation forced the taxi driver to put the alert signal on, which finally attracted the attention of a patrolling police car, he said.

"Eventually, both men were brought in for questioning and Rio is being detained for further investigation," Iman said. (edt)