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4 Charged In NJ With Smuggled Money Scam

DEPTFORD, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Four Liberian men have been arrested in New Jersey in what authorities say is a case involving fake money that was literally dirty.

Police say the men put out the word that they had $17 million in smuggled money to sell. They said the cash was dyed black to slip it past customs officials, but could be cleaned with a special detergent, which they were also seeking to sell.

Authorities say they were offering $250,000 of the smuggled money for $125,000, and that it was an in-person version of a widespread online scam.

The cash was actually construction paper.

The men were arrested Friday at a Deptford hotel and are being held in Gloucester County Jail on charges of criminal conspiracy and theft by deception.

(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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