Four Individuals Acquired and Circulated Counterfeit Bills Valued at $50 and $100

Four individuals are accused of possessing, acquiring, and circulating counterfeit currency. The preliminary investigation has concluded, as reported by the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia.

An 28-year-old resident of Yerevan, in coordination with his wife and her friend, acquired 20 counterfeit bills valued at $50 and $100 with the intent to circulate them between October and December 2022. These counterfeit bills were transferred and stored in the apartment they rented.

Subsequently, the 28-year-old man reached an agreement with his wife's friend to keep the counterfeit currency with the purpose of gaining material benefit from its circulation. In December 2022, he circulated the counterfeit bills through this person, intending for her to exchange them with another individual for profit. The friend attempted to exchange the counterfeit bills using a currency exchange machine but failed, subsequently circulating the bills to a close acquaintance, a 31-year-old resident of Yerevan.

Based on the gathered evidence, charges have been filed against the four individuals under part 2, clause 1 of Article 267 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia. A travel restriction has been imposed on three of the individuals, while one has been placed in custody.

The investigation is ongoing, and the identity of another person suspected of committing the alleged crime has been established. Necessary measures are being taken to locate and present this individual to the prosecuting authority, as well as to clarify the involvement of other persons in the criminal chain.