Secret Service Warns Of 'Black Money' Scam In Mass., RI
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — The Secret Service has issued a warning about an international "black money" scam in New England.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Mark Katic reports
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Providence Secret Service Resident Agent in Charge Thomas Powers said Thursday three people have lost $170,000, so far.
Last week, authorities arrested 31-year-old Anthony Chadheen and 33-year-old Alvin Pennue in Providence on charges they were carrying out the scam.
They have not entered pleas.
Investigators say con artists convince victims to pay for chemicals to wash bank note-sized paper they claim to be real currency dyed black to avoid detection by customs officials.
In reality, except for a few genuine currency bills used to trap victims, the black money is usually construction paper.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.
