Man tried to smuggle in 8,040 fake $100 notes

Dubai Customs has foiled an attempt to smuggle Dh2.9 million in fake $100 notes through Dubai International Airport.

The counterfeit money was being carried by a passenger of a European nationality who arrived at Terminal 3 with a tourist visa. Officers from the passengers Operations Department of Dubai Customs became suspicious as the man looked tense and anxious.

Ali Al Mugahwi, Director of the Passengers Operations Department said that the suspect was monitored closely until he arrived at inspection area where he was told to put his two bags for inspection. The suspect tried to mislead the inspectors by putting only one of the bags, and when he was asked to open the other one he became even more tense and anxious. In the bag, the inspectors found bundles of banknotes that consisted of 8,040 of fake $100 notes as well as 2,300 notes ready for counterfeiting.

Al Mugahwi added that the passenger claimed during investigation that unidentified persons in a European country asked him to carry the bag to Dubai and to reside in one of the hotels where he had to wait for someone who would come later to take the bag.

"Dubai Customs makes great efforts to combat all kinds of smuggling, including the smuggling of fake currency which has a negative effect on the UAE economy," said Al Mugahwi "This is achieved by hiring highly qualified inspectors who go through a number of specialised courses in body language and customs monitoring. They also receive regular training in inspection methods, including searching luggage using X-ray machines to detect smugglers who try to bring prohibited and illegal products to the UAE."

The suspect, who is visiting Dubai for the first time, along with the seized money, was handed over to Dubai airport police for investigation and prosecution.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.