KUALA LUMPUR: A self-proclaimed Lebanese millionaire has been detained for possessing counterfeit notes amounting US$66 million (RM220 million) in a hotel room.
FAKES: Izany showing the fake notes seized from a Lebanese. The man was detained for possessing counterfeit notes amounting to US$66 million. — Bernama photo
Kuala Lumpur Commercial CID chief ACP Izany Abdul Ghany said the 50 year-old suspect was detained at 12.05am at a hotel in Jalan Bukit Bintang on Sunday.
“Sixty notes amounting US$1 million, 60 notes amounting US$100,000 and 40 notes amounting US$500 were found in a black pouch bag,” he told a press conference here yesterday.
Izany said the suspect had earlier given a tip of US$500 to a male employee at the hotel.
“The employee reported to police after being told by a money changer that the notes were fake.
“The notes were old, probably used in 1934. Our investigation is ongoing,” he added.
The suspect who was remanded 14 days was attending a court hearing here and had been staying at the four-star hotel since Jan 8.
He was detained under Section 417 of Penal Code for cheating involving the purchase of office equipment in 2005. —Bernama