Part of me is hoping that this was done as some kind of joke, one of those things where you do something ridiculous and catch someone who should be paying attention 100 percent not doing that. Otherwise, holy Jesus.
Counterfeiters often make large-denomination bills, but these guys set their sights much lower — $2 coins.
And what a terrible job they did.
On Jan. 11, police were called to a store in Hawkesbury, east of Ottawa, after counterfeit toonies were used to buy items.
Photos of the fake coins show a walrus (not the standard polar bear) on one side and a man (not the standard Queen Elizabeth effigy) on the other side. The value: “Z Dollard.” The fake coins are dated 1990; the first real toonie was minted in 1996.
“The OPP would like everyone to be aware of this and to be vigilant in assuring they do not fall victim to this fraud,” police said.
Now seems like a good time to remember this George W. Bush number from 21 years ago. It might never be topped.
The cartoonish bill was accepted Sunday evening by the Dairy Queen cashier despite having Bush on one side and an oil well on the other. The phony bill also depicted the White House lawn with yard signs reading “U.S. deserves a tax cut,” “No more scandals” and “We like broccoli,” the last apparently referring to Bush’s father’s admitted dislike for the vegetable.
No U.S. currency has a picture of Bush, let alone a reference to liking broccoli.
Because there is no actual $200 currency, the culprit could face a charge of theft by deception but not counterfeiting, Williamson said.
In that case, someone made a $2 order, paid with that thing and left with $198 in presumably real change. Oof.