A surge in counterfeit $2 coins, known as toonies, has been uncovered in Quebec and Ontario. A Quebec man, Jean-François Généreux, faces criminal charges for attempting to import over 26,000 fake toonies from China. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) seized 12,000 at the Montreal-Mirabel International Airport and another 14,000 during a raid on the Généreux’s home.
In Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, police arrested an individual in possession of a smaller quantity of the same counterfeit coins. These incidents suggest a widespread circulation of this new variety of fake coins in Canada.
How to identify the fake toonies:
- The Queen’s nose on the fake coin is too sharp and long.
- A maple leaf-shaped security feature above the Queen’s head is present on the fake coin but not on genuine 2012 toonies.
- On the polar bear side, a “$” symbol appears between two maple leaf-shaped security features on the fake coin, whereas the genuine coin has the numeral “2” in that spot.
- The word “CANADA” appears on the fake coin, replacing the authentic “DOLLAR” near the bear’s head.
- The “2012” year on the counterfeit toonie appears in a curve, unlike the straight line on genuine coins.
These differences make it possible for ordinary consumers to spot the counterfeit coins. Despite appearing real at first glance, the fake toonies exhibit these telltale signs.
This new counterfeit toonie differs from the “camel-toe toonie” traced back to the Greater Toronto Area in 2022. In that case, a man was arrested for circulating 10,000 fake toonies. The distinct features of the new counterfeit suggest a deliberate attempt to make them identifiable, possibly for trial runs before larger orders.
While no fake toonies have appeared in Brampton, vigilance in scrutinizing your $2 coins is crucial to prevent the circulation of these counterfeits.
If you have any information in relation to counterfeit currency, you can contact your local police, the Ontario RCMP at 1-800-387-0020, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS)