US Secret Service Recognises Phuket Police for Counterfeit Currency Investigations

The US Secret Service has recognised Phuket police officers for their work investigating suspected counterfeit US dollars, including two cases involving suspicious banknotes presented at currency exchange shops.

An American delegation presented certificates of appreciation during a visit to Phuket Provincial Police Headquarters on September 22.

Senior Special Agent and Assistant Attaché Samuel Cloud led the delegation at a meeting with Phuket Provincial Police Commander Police Major General Sinlert Sukhum. The officers discussed cooperation in tackling international and cross-border crime.

The talks covered counterfeit currency, economic crime and cyber fraud. The US representatives also thanked Phuket investigators for sharing information and assisting US law-enforcement agencies with their investigations.

Certificates were presented to Sinlert and several officers involved in major criminal investigations over the past three years. Investigators from Wichit, Kamala, Patong and Choeng Thale police stations were also recognised.

Two investigations into suspected counterfeit US banknotes were highlighted as examples of cooperation between Phuket police and US authorities.

The first case involved a Russian woman who was arrested by Kamala police in July 2024 after allegedly attempting to exchange counterfeit US$50 notes.

The woman, who was 22 at the time, was arrested following a complaint from a currency exchange shop. Staff had become suspicious after she presented four US$50 notes, three of which were believed to be counterfeit.

Police later searched her accommodation and seized another 32 suspected counterfeit US$50 notes.

During questioning, the woman reportedly denied knowing that the banknotes were fake and said her father had given them to her.

Information gathered during the investigation was subsequently shared with US law-enforcement agencies.

A second case was investigated by Wichit police in March 2025 after suspected counterfeit US$50 notes were presented at a currency exchange shop.

According to the latest police account, investigators seized 38 banknotes and coordinated with officials from the US Embassy, including the Secret Service, to determine whether the currency was genuine.

Phuket police said the counterfeit currency investigations also contributed to broader inquiries into suspected currency-trafficking networks operating across Southeast Asia.

The September 22 meeting gave Thai and US law-enforcement officers an opportunity to exchange information and discuss further cooperation against cross-border financial crime.