Two people have been arrested following an investigation by the Economic Crime Section into uttering and producing counterfeit currency.
In late 2025, police began receiving several reports of counterfeit currency being used to purchase merchandise in both the peer-to-peer buy and sell market and retail environment. Through continued investigation by members of the Economic Crime Section, a 33-year-old man and 36-year-old woman were identified as suspects in the investigation and, on January 13, 2026, both were arrested at a business in the 2800 block of Idylwyld Drive North while attempting to purchase tools valued at approximately $1200 with counterfeit currency. Following their arrests, with the assistance of the RCMP, a search warrant was executed at a residence in Rosthern, SK leading to the recovery and seizure of several thousand dollars worth of tools believed to be purchased with counterfeit currency as well as materials and equipment used to produce counterfeit currency.
As a result, both of the accused have been charged with uttering counterfeit currency, possession of property obtained by crime, and possession of materials for counterfeiting currency. The man was further charged with possession of counterfeit currency and failure to comply with court-imposed conditions (x2).
(Court Information Numbers: 991327056, 991327236, 991327278, 991327284)
Businesses and individuals are encouraged to inspect bills thoroughly when accepting cash to complete a transaction. Modern Canadian bills, known as the Frontiers series, are made from a single piece of polymer material; additional security features to watch for include:
- A colourized holographic portrait and building in the large transparent window that changes colour when tilted. Flip it over to see the same from the back.
- A transparent outline on the frosted maple leaf window
- Maple leaves that border and cross into the large transparent window
- Raised ink on the large number and the words “Banque du Canada” and “Bank of Canada”
- Compare serial numbers; each bill should have its own unique serial number
Community members are reminded of the Buy and Sell Exchange Zone parking stalls located in the west visitor parking lot of the SPS HQ where safe property transactions can be conducted; these stalls are marked with green paint and signage.
If you believe you’ve been the victim of a counterfeit currency transaction, contact your local police. To report such incidents to the Saskatoon Police Service, call 306-975-8300. To learn more about the security features of modern Canadian bills, visit the Bank of Canada website.
