JFK CBP Finds more than $7 Million in Fake Financial Instruments

(Monday, April 16, 2012)

Jamaica, N.Y. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the John F. Kennedy Airport International Mail Facility recently seized more than seven million dollars in counterfeit money orders and checks.

On March 23, CBP officers examined mail parcels arriving from Ghana. The parcels were found to contain 6,575 counterfeit financial instruments totaling more than $6.7 million.

On the same day, a parcel of mail shipped from Nigeria was examined by CBP and it contained 281 counterfeit financial instruments totaling more than $300,000. The money orders were turned over to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for further investigation.

“The responsibilities of a CBP officer are diverse and numerous,” said Robert E. Perez, Director of CBP New York Field Operations. “However, our officers are steadfast in their responsibility in protecting the United States. This seizure illustrates the diversity of the CBP mission.”

"The Postal Inspection Service is committed to a partnership with Customs and Border Protection and will tirelessly work to protect, prevent and enforce the laws that keep the American consumers from these schemes,” said Gregory S. Crabb, Inspector in Charge of Revenue, Product and Global Security, U. S. Postal Service.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Department of Homeland Security

JFK CBP Finds more than $7 Million in Fake Financial Instruments - CBP.gov