Police nab 22 over fake money

DENPASAR, Bali: During a series of raids over the past few weeks, local police have arrested 22 suspects for allegedly distributing some Rp 149 million of fake bank notes.

Bali Police Chief Brig. Gen. I Wayan Ardjana told a media briefing on Wednesday that among the suspects was a police sergeant major from Badung Police precinct identified only as Mul.

"We seized around Rp 25 million of bogus money from Sgt. Maj. Mul, most of it was Rp 50,000 notes," Ardjana said.

The suspects admitted to the police they had bought most of the fake money from distributors in several East Java towns, such as Jember, Bondowoso and Banyuwangi.

Each note was worth half of the original bill, police said. (zen/edt)