LRPD Investigates Funny Money at State Fair
By: Josh Berry
Updated: October 14, 2012
LRPD Detectives confirmed Sunday (10/14) that they investigated a couple of vendors for having counterfeit money. That doesn't however, mean they can arrest or press charges because it's so hard to track where it may have came from.
Over 88,000 people entered through the gates of the fair in just one day this weekend, setting a record.
With that many folks coming in and out, it means that much more money moved around as well.
The increased number of bills exchanging hands, encourages vendors to take a second look.
"A lot of people aren't trained to see the counterfeit," explains vendor, Stephen Gordon.
Being able to spot funny money becomes crucial, especially once word got out fakes may have started making their rounds.
Gordon helps operate a vendor stand and says it's not that hard to spot one.
"You can really tell by how it feels."
Thousands of individual transactions take place at each vendor every day. Whether it's a 20 your paying for a turkey leg, or a bill your taking in change for a bag of chips, vendors and consumers agree that you just have to keep your eyes open.
"Banks will tell ya we can't do anything with it," said fair visitor and business owner Jeff Herald. "You might as well pass it on because it got passed on to you."
Even authorities may not be able to do much about it unless there's a specific, incriminating paper trail.
In most cases, the fair will try to confiscate fake money that people try to use and turn them into security. Vendors say however, a lot of the times they'll just tell folks they can't take the money.
Fair General Manager, Ralph Shoptaw insists the fair is not a dangerous spot for you and your money.
"This is a safe place," he said.
5 different agencies patrol the grounds of the fair ensuring your safety.
While there are ways to detect a fake, the next time you pull out your wallet to pay for a corn dog or funnel cake, or see a vendor pulling out a wad of cash, you might want to take just a second look.
"Cause they're getting good," Gordon added. "They are getting good."
Over 88,000 people entered through the gates of the fair in just one day this weekend, setting a record.
With that many folks coming in and out, it means that much more money moved around as well.
The increased number of bills exchanging hands, encourages vendors to take a second look.
"A lot of people aren't trained to see the counterfeit," explains vendor, Stephen Gordon.
Being able to spot funny money becomes crucial, especially once word got out fakes may have started making their rounds.
Gordon helps operate a vendor stand and says it's not that hard to spot one.
"You can really tell by how it feels."
Thousands of individual transactions take place at each vendor every day. Whether it's a 20 your paying for a turkey leg, or a bill your taking in change for a bag of chips, vendors and consumers agree that you just have to keep your eyes open.
"Banks will tell ya we can't do anything with it," said fair visitor and business owner Jeff Herald. "You might as well pass it on because it got passed on to you."
Even authorities may not be able to do much about it unless there's a specific, incriminating paper trail.
In most cases, the fair will try to confiscate fake money that people try to use and turn them into security. Vendors say however, a lot of the times they'll just tell folks they can't take the money.
Fair General Manager, Ralph Shoptaw insists the fair is not a dangerous spot for you and your money.
"This is a safe place," he said.
5 different agencies patrol the grounds of the fair ensuring your safety.
While there are ways to detect a fake, the next time you pull out your wallet to pay for a corn dog or funnel cake, or see a vendor pulling out a wad of cash, you might want to take just a second look.
"Cause they're getting good," Gordon added. "They are getting good."
