Seven citizens from Uzbekistan have been arrested in Russia's second-largest city, St. Petersburg, on charges of counterfeiting 5,000 ruble ($155) banknotes.
Russian Interior Ministry officials said on October 14 that the suspects were detained at Pulkovo airport.
According to the officials, the group managed to exchange up to 11 million rubles ($340,000) in counterfeit 5,000 ruble banknotes via ATM machines in Russia's Moscow and Leningrad oblasts.
Officials say the counterfeiting led to a decision by Russia's leading banks -- including Sberbank, VTB 24, Bank of Moscow, and Alfa-Bank -- not to accept 5,000-ruble banknotes until more sophisticated software is added to their ATM machines.
Russian Interior Ministry officials said on October 14 that the suspects were detained at Pulkovo airport.
According to the officials, the group managed to exchange up to 11 million rubles ($340,000) in counterfeit 5,000 ruble banknotes via ATM machines in Russia's Moscow and Leningrad oblasts.
Officials say the counterfeiting led to a decision by Russia's leading banks -- including Sberbank, VTB 24, Bank of Moscow, and Alfa-Bank -- not to accept 5,000-ruble banknotes until more sophisticated software is added to their ATM machines.