Laval police arrest 19-year-old in Facebook Marketplace iPhone scam using counterfeit currency

Laval police arrested 19-year-old Will Alexandre Vixamar earlier this year in connection with a counterfeit currency scam on Facebook Marketplace. Vixamar is accused of using nine counterfeit $100 bills to purchase an iPhone from a victim in Laval.

The victim discovered the fake bills when attempting to deposit them at a bank; a teller machine rejected them. Vixamar faces charges of fraud, manufacturing and circulating counterfeit currency, violating a release order, and violating probation conditions. Following his court appearance, he remained in custody with his next court date set for September 25. The case is numbered LVL260601-065.

Laval police report a rise in complaints related to fake currency in the Laval area. Two fake serial numbers have been identified by residents: GJR6710019 and GJR6710018.

Police advise residents to watch for these security features on genuine Canadian bills: each bill carries a unique serial number, a transparent security strip with tiny numbers matching the denomination, a portrait on the transparent strip that matches the main portrait, small numbers hidden in a transparent maple leaf (visible with bright light), a metallic portrait that changes colour depending on the light angle, and raised texture on the ink of the main portrait (detectable by touch). If in doubt about a bill's authenticity, residents should refuse it or ask for a different payment method.

For information on the investigation, Laval police can be reached at 450-662-INFO (4636) or 911.