The Crucian Christmas Festival Village on Jan. 3, 2023. Photo Credit: V.I. CONSORTIUM
ST. CROIX — The V.I. Police Department is alerting the St. Croix community and businesses of the importance of checking all currency being presented to them following several reports the department received of counterfeit money circulating at the Crucian Christmas Festival Village.
The V.I.P.D. said the fake bills are being provided to Festival Village booth owners as real money, and the department has provided certain markers to help identify the sham cash.
According to the police department, a common "red flag" to look out for is the actual "feel" of the bill. "It can be easily identifiable depending on the quality of the counterfeit," the V.I.P.D. said. "This alone often alerts employees to the fake currency. Some counterfeit bills have passed the commonly used marker test. Oftentimes the counterfeit bills being passed are done so at busy times of the business where an employee may be distracted."
The V.I.P.D.'s Economic Crime Unit has launched an investigation into the matter, and is advising booth owners and businesses, as well as the public to be vigilant and examine the money being presented to them.
If you have any suspicions or concerns, call the ECU on St. Croix at 340-778-2211, on St. Thomas at (340) 774-2211 or call 911.
