Fake The arrested two Liberians with their ‘Black Dollar’ scheme paraphernalia after they were caught duping their latest victim in Barangay Kamuning, Quezon City on Jan. 31. (Photo courtesy of CIDG)

2 Liberians jailed over ‘Black Dollar’ fraud

February 5, 2025 Alfred P. Dalizon 356 views

TWO Liberians who were involved in the so-called ‘Black Dollar’ scheme in which they trick their victims into paying huge amounts of money for chemicals they claim can turn fake bills into real American dollars were arrested as they tried to dupe their latest victim in Quezon City.

Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group director Brigadier General Nicolas D. Torre III said the two West African nationals identified only through their aliases ‘Gorge’ and ‘Johnson,’ were arrested in an entrapment operation inside the Red Doors Hotel in Kamuning, Quezon City on Friday last week.

The suspects were caught in the act of duping their latest victim, a businesswoman named ‘Susana’ inside the Kamuning motel.

An investigation showed that the victim bought a total of P1,861,500 worth of ‘Black Dollar’ from the glib-tongued duo who were described as members of a gang operating in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Brig. Gen. Torre said recovered during the operation were one genuine P1,000 bill, 20 fake US dollars, a luggage, a vault containing cotton and powdered chemicals, a pile of green banknote-size papers, multiple identification cards, and three mobile phones.

Under the ‘Black Dollar’ scheme, the suspects first invite their prospective victims to join their trick of ‘turning white paper into U.S. dollars.’

During their demonstration, the suspects will show their target white paper which they usually call ‘negative bank notes’ or those which are yet to be released in the market, and dip the papers in their chemicals.

Using the sleight of hand, they will make it appear that the negative bank notes have turned into genuine U.S. dollars.

Unknown to the victims, the supposed ‘negative bank notes’ are only covered with white paint that can easily disappear when soaked in water.

Brig. Gen. Torre said the arrest of the suspects was part of their continuing effort to send behind bars people involved in crimes against public interest and crimes against property such as fraud, scams, and estafa.

The sting was conducted by the PNP-CIDG National Capital Region Field Unit with the support of the Payments and Currency Investigation Group of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the local police.

“We are reminding the public to be aware of the schemes of individuals offering large sums of money for upfront payments. If it’s too good to be true, it is probably not. We urged everyone to immediately report suspicious activities as such to the authorities,” the PNP-CIDG director said.

The official said he has ordered all his units nationwide to keep an eye on all scammers, and local and foreign nationals to protect the citizenry.

The suspects were charged with violation of Article 315 (Swindling/Estafa) and Art. 168 (Illegal Possession and Use of False Treasury or Bank Notes and Other Instruments of Credit) in relation to Art. 166 (Forging Treasury or Bank Notes) of the Revised Penal Code.

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