PHILADELPHIA: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers intercepted an international parcel that contained more than $33,000 in counterfeit travelers checks May 25 near Philadelphia International Airport.
CBP officers inspected the parcel, which arrived from Nigeria and was manifested as documents, and discovered 67 separate $500 MasterCard travelers checks. Upon closer inspection, CBP officers discovered that none of the alleged security features were visible on the checks.
CBP officers seized the parcel, which was destined to an address in Chicago.
Authorities made no arrests.
Philadelphia CBP officers seized $33,500 in counterfeit travelers checks while inspecting international parcels May 25, 2016. The checks arrived from Nigeria and were destined to an address in Chicago. (CBP Photo/Handout)“Transnational criminal organizations are engaged in many illegal enterprises, including financial crimes that victimize the elderly and the unwitting,” said Susan Stranieri, CBP Port Director for the Area Port of Philadelphia. “Protecting American citizens by intercepting fraudulent monetary documents remains an enforcement priority for Customs and Border Protection officers.”
CBP routinely conducts random inspection operations on arriving and departing international passengers and searches for narcotics, currency, weapons, agriculture, and other prohibited or illicit products. On a typical day, CBP seizes more than $350,000 in undeclared or illicit currency at and between our nation’s 328 international ports of entry.
