Penza, 28 February 2014. PenzaNews. The members of the organized group involved in spreading of counterfeit five-thousand-ruble banknotes in the Penza region, detained in Samara.

“In the spring of 2013, several cases of counterfeit banknote usage were registered in the region, the bills differed in one figure in their series and numbers. The quality of counterfeit money was so high that simple detectors installed in retail stores were not able to determine the authenticity of those banknotes. As a rule, the counterfeiters used fake bills in small stores and gas stations. The criminals used to choose items of small value, usually the cost did not exceed a few hundred rubles, and paid for it with a five-thousand bill. At the same time they tried to divert the attention of a salesman by a small talk or some other actions,” the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the Penza region told news agency PenzaNews on Friday, February 28.

The ministry clarified that there is information about activity of the detainees on the territory of Penza, Kolyshleysky, Penzensky and Serdobsky areas.

“Measures are being taken to identify other possible episodes of criminal activity of the group in our region. Efforts are being made to identify those who supplied the counterfeit banknotes to the members of the group,” the press service said.