$4,650,000 in Hell money printed to resemble U.S. and Vietnamese currency seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport own by a couple who were arriving from Seoul, Korea.
According to the press released by CBP, the seizure occurred on Feb. 12 after CBP officers encountered the couple who made conflicting statements about the amount of currency they were carrying. CBP officers referred the couple for a baggage examination.
A search of their luggage resulted in the discovery of 93 bundles of counterfeit U.S. $100 bills and 32 bundles of counterfeit Vietnamese Dong, the national currency of Vietnam. The couple said the counterfeit currency was to be used as burnt offerings to the deceased.
“Attempting to import any amount of counterfeit currency, regardless of the intended purpose, can have serious implications for arriving travelers,” said CBP Port Director Devin Chamberlain.
“Quality law enforcement work and solid attention to detail resulted in this seizure, and I am proud of the officers involved.”
CBP reminds international travelers that the manufacturing of, or importation of counterfeit Federal Reserve notes could result in federal charges.
Agents from Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Secret Service took custody of the fake currency.
Hell money is printed on joss paper and resembles legal tender bank notes but is not legal tender or recognized currency; instead, Hell money is presented as burnt offerings to the deceased. This custom is often practiced in certain Asian cultures.
