Pacific News Briefs

NIGHTCLUBS, GAS STATIONS TARGETED WITH COUNTERFEIT MONEY

Counterfeit money is a growing problem in Samoa and the people behind it are targeting nightclubs and gas stations.

Governor of the Central Bank of Samoa, Maiava Atalina Ainu’u-Enari confirmed this during an interview with the Samoa Observer.

According to the Governor, they recently collected $380 worth of counterfeit money, which was mainly in five to twenty tala bills.

“The culprits are smart,” she said. “They don’t use it to purchase goods at the supermarket, they are giving it to the night clubs and the gas stations. So it’s difficult to detect it at the night clubs because it’s dark.”

But the Central Bank warns that this should be a wake up call for the public to double-check if the money handed to you is fake or not.

She made it clear this latest case is not the work of a professional — but rather, it's just a copy on two pieces of paper glued together.

“There is a big difference between the fake money and the actual note as the ones circulating the country are made from A4 paper which is pretty rough and rugged."

“The culprits actually crumble the counterfeit $5 to make it look like it's been used for a long time when it’s just paper,” said Maiava.

She noted that in the past these culprits used $100, $50 but nowadays they are using smaller notes.

According to the Governor, the matter was brought to their attention during business banking. It was then they noted it was counterfeit money.

The Police were immediately notified and they are investigating.

She also spoke about a task force to address the problem.

“The task force set up involves government ministries and the Police. We have managed to bring some counterfeiters to justice in the past."

“It will be difficult to identify where this money is coming from but it’s only a matter of time before the Police catch and apprehend the perpetrators,” she said, and noted, “If convicted a person could be jailed up to 14 years or a fine of up to 1,000 penalty units.”

HOW CAN THE PUBLIC SPOT A FAKE NOTE FROM THE ORIGINAL ONE?

Samoa counterfeit bills are making their way through gas stations and nightclubs. Governor of the Central Bank of Samoa says they’re not very good fakes, and gave out tips to the public on how to spot the counterfeits. [SO graphic]

Here’s what the Central Bank of Samoa says:

1. Texture – the feel of a real note is very different from a counterfeit one because of the paper that’s used. Counterfeiters use A4 paper, which is pretty rough and rugged. Just by touching and feeling it, you can give a counterfeit away;
2. Plastic Window in $100 and $50 tala notes – there is a plastic window on the side of these notes, it is a see-through. Counterfeiters can’t duplicate this because they use only A4 paper, they can’t inject the plastic part in it. So make sure to look out for this plastic window.
3. Vertical thread on the side of $20, $10 and $5 notes – there is a special thread that looks like ‘foil’ that runs vertically on the side of these denominations. In this thread are the initials ‘C.B.S.’. You can easily tell it’s a counterfeit if this is not a foil.

There are a lot of ways and characteristics to look out for, but these are the basic ones that you can apply every now and then in checking your money.

Once a counterfeit is identified, please report it to C.B.S.

(Source: Samoa Observer)

ONE PACIFIC TURNS TO MĀORI PARTY, AWAY FROM LABOR

Aiiloilo Dr. Elise Puni, Co-Leader of One Pacific, in his speech at the Māori Party campaign launch on Saturday, Aug. 12th said, “Our Pacific dream is to progress, live in dignity, and prosper in Aotearoa, to be united, and speak with one voice. That dream is on its way to achieving, starting today.”

In addressing the Māori Party President, Tukoroirangi Morgan, Aiiloilo said, “One Pacific is delighted to present the Māori Party with nine (9) of our One Pacific candidates to stand in the general seats under the Māori Party ticket. This is our One Pacific contribution to our political journey together with the Māori Party.

“Thank you Māori Party for providing us the opportunity to select our own Pacific Candidates to be the voice of our aspiration and our Pacific dream. Thank you for allowing us to have our own voice under the Māori Party banner.”

According to Esther Tofilau-Tevaga (Mangere Candidate for the Māori Party), ”Education is a priority for our Pacific families. Thank you Māori Party for championing the current 30 hours of Free Early Childhood Education for all pre-schoolers.

“Furthermore, our 2017 Policy Manifesto will introduce completely FREE Early Childhood Education for all pre-school children. This will be a real financial help for families including Māori and Pacific families of young pre-school children.

“We have a dream to eliminate homelessness,” Tuilagi Saipele Esera (Manukau East candidate for the Māori Party) said. “Thank you Māori, and all Marae that are taking in homeless people. In addition, thank you Māori Party for including in your 2017 Policy Manifesto the goal of eliminating homelessness and poverty.”

According to Manase Nehemaia Lua (Maungakiekie Candidate for the Māori Party), “When life gets tough, thank you Māori Party and Dame Tariana Turia for establishing Whanau Ora to help our vulnerable Maori and Pacific families re-group and after rebuilding their confidence, they can thrive again.”

Maryanne Marsters (Napier Candidate for the Māori Party) said, “Hon. Te Ururoa Flavell and Marama Fox, we look forward to your Iwi Rail project to create jobs for us all and to stimulate economic developments for the regions, including tourism. Thank you Māori Party for presenting real answers for employment creation and reducing high unemployment amongst Māori and Pacific.”

In addition, John Kiria added in his thoughts on the Pacific dream by saying that…“we thank you Māori Party for supporting our vision to create tourism related employment opportunities and economic developments for Pacific people through the proposed establishment of a Pacific Cultural Centre in Auckland”.

Finally, Ikamafana Tameifuna, One Pacific co-leader, said, “One Pacific has turned its back on the Labor Party and turns its face to the Māori Party.

“We Pacific people are better off with the Māori Party. We can create a better future together with the Māori Party. We can grow and progress together with Māori and the Māori Party. We share a common vision and our Pacific dream… to progress, live in dignity, and prosper in Aotearoa with Māori. Thank you Māori Party!”

For more information email: One Pacific Secretaries [email protected]

(Source: One Pacific Secretaries)