GAINESVILLE - Eileen Hayes an Alachua resident doesn't know how to recognize a fake bill from a real one, howver she says there's no excuse for producing fake bills. Something that has happened in Gainesville and Ocala recently.

Gainesville Police Officers say 29 year-old Kevin Bradley of Gainesville bought an item valued at 36 dollars with two fake 20 dollar bills at the new Walmart on NW 23rd street. He left the store, came back about an hour later and tried to return the merchandise to get a full refund for it. Essentially using walmart as a money launderer.

Gainesville Police Department spokesperson, Ben Tobias says it's easy to tell whether you're holding fake or real money. It depends mostly on the weight and texture of the bills. "Our officer responded also examined the currency, and found it to be counterfeit. He was ultimately arrested for uttering a forged bill and scheme to defraud," Tobias says.

Ocala police are investigating three cases where counterfeit 100 dollar bills were passed. One suspect committed the crime in Smoothie King and Novel Idea Bookstore. And the second suspect at towne center 6 movie theater. All bills had the same serial numbers. Hayes says, "People do anything now a days to get what they need. A lot of people say the economy but I am not blaming the economy, it's the individual."

However, there's a way to watch out. On a counterfeit, the serial numbers may differ in color or shade of ink from the treasury seal. The fine lines in the border of a genuine bill are clear and unbroken. The treasury seal on a real bill should be clear, distinct, and sharp.

Tobias says these are the kind of crimes it's hard to tell how much time will be served. "Well, it's tough to tell on time... Because each case is handled differently and sometimes counterfeit cases are picked up federally because it is a federal crime to counterfeit money."

While Bradley in Gainesville is being charged with a felony. The Ocala Police Department is still trying to identify two subjects in the three counterfeiting cases. Please call 352-369-7105 with any information.