Public fears over the alleged widespread circulation of counterfeit cash in the money system have sent detection equipment sales skyward.
"Three weeks ago, after realizing I received seven bogus NT$1,000 notes in one day, I bought a counterfeit detector right away, because I can't stand losing any more money," said Chen Ming-fang (陳明芳), owner of a street-side restaurant in Taipei yesterday.
Those fears, according to a retailer of the counterfeit detection equipment, have triggered a 30 percent jump in sales over the past two weeks or approximately 200 units per week.
"Most of our customers are small business retailers selling clothing, accessories and food, and the NT$2,000 hand-held model is the most popular choice," said Cheng Ming-yi (
With the local media in a frenzy over the bogus bills, businessmen are capitalizing on the hype.
"We have been visited by detector salesmen three times this week," said Chen Tsan-yin (陳彩銀), owner of a jewelry store.
In addition to hand-held models, cheaper, pen-type detectors have flooded neighborhood markets.
"On average, we have sold eight counterfeit pens to the public every day this week, however, two months earlier that number was less than three a day," said a clerk surnamed Chung (莊) at a Hess Bookstore (何嘉仁書店). The NT$100 pens apparently work by turning yellow ink brown when a mark is made on a fake note.
However, some people prefer to check for funny money the old fashioned way -- by hand.
"I've tried the pens but they didn't work, therefore, I prefer to check money by hand not with machines," said Chen Tien-wang (
Police arrested five people yesterday for allegedly circulating fake bank notes.
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