A 23-year-old Sarnia man is facing charges after counterfeit American money was used at a number of Sarnia establishments.
On May 7, Sarnia police say fake US $20 bills were allegedly passed at a local gas bar, fast food restaurant, taxi company, and grocery store.
The man received change at the grocery store after buying a single bottle of pop.
Constable John Sottosanti says a suspect was arrested on May 22 with help from security camera photos and witnesses.
He says while Canadian money is hard to forge, the paper American bills can often be replicated.
"Pay attention to the quality of the paper, if it's very smooth or very poor texture and quality then it's more than likely counterfeit," says Sottosanti. "Also, look at the lines. The lines should be crisp in regards to the drawings. Sometimes you'll notice that the letters might be mistaken or there are incomplete serial numbers."
Sottosanti says if you're unsure about the status of a bill, you can bring it to the police station and they can run the serial number.
Nicholas Matthew Brown of Sarnia is charged with uttering counterfeit money, fraud under $5,000, and breach of probation.