Nigerian national jailed for fake U.S. dollar sale

JAKARTA (JP): A 28-year-old Nigerian was sentenced to two years in prison on Friday for possessing and selling fake U.S. dollars with a face value of US$300.

Presiding judge Zulkifli Lubis told the Central Jakarta District Court that defendant E. Chukwu had been found guilty of violating Article 245 of the Criminal Code.

The article carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

"The panel of judges considers that the defendant knew the notes were fake before he tried to sell them to a money changer," Zulkifli said.

Chukwu earlier said he had no idea that the money was counterfeit. He claimed he bought it from a local currency trader in Pasar Baru, Central Jakarta, early in March at the rate of Rp 9,000 per dollar and planned to sell them on again at a rate of Rp 14,000.

At the time of purchase, the rupiah was trading at around Rp 10,500 to the dollar.

Judge Zulkifli said the defendant should have been suspicious when someone offered him dollars at a rate below that prevailing on currency markets at the time.

"It's a bit illogical that he did not know that," he told the court.

Chukwu was arrested on March 11 when he tried to sell the counterfeit dollars to a money changer on Jl. M.H. Thamrin in Central Jakarta. (jun)