Man uses fake money to buy cigarettes

TANGERANG: The police detained on Wednesday a man who tried to buy a pack of cigarette with a counterfeit Rp 100,000 banknote.

The suspect, identified as Mochtar of Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, gave the crisp, maroon paper to Inan, who sells cigarettes in a pushcart on Jl. Sudirman, Cikokol, Tangerang municipality.

"Luckily, Inan checked the money. Not waiting for the change, the suspect tried to run away but Inan shouted prompting passersby to help chase the suspect," Tangerang Subprecinct Police chief Adj. Comr. Haru Abimayu said.

The suspect was later brought to the police after being badly beaten by locals. In their search, the police found a total of 26 counterfeit Rp 100,000 banknotes.

Mochtar said he got the money from FZ, a resident of Tebet, South Jakarta, who promised him a 20 percent commission if he could change the money with genuine notes. -- JP