Passengers Detained After Millions in ‘Hell Money’ Discovered by Customs Agents
Jeff Edwards February 19, 2016
A couple traveling with millions of dollars worth of fake currency is in real trouble after U.S. Customs agents seized their stash of ceremonial “Hell Money.”
Ceremonial “Hell Money” is never meant to be spent. The novelty cash is instead intended to be burned as a symbolic offering to the dead. The counterfeit bills, popular in some Asian cultures, are even printed on a special joss paper reserved for items meant to be used for ceremonial fires. NBC News reports that for one couple who arrived in the U.S. from abroad, the difference between fake bills printed on thin paper intended for use in religious rites and counterfeit bills trafficked by criminals can be a subtle distinction.
The couple was linked to a large stash of the so-called “Hell Money” shortly after arriving at Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) on a flight from Incheon International Airport (ICN). U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents discovered 93 bundles of fake $100 bills and 32 wrapped bundles of Vietnamese dong in the couple’s luggage. All told, the newly arriving passengers were carrying nearly $4.65 million in bogus currency with them.
Though this type of easily identified fake cash is widely used and even legal in many countries in Southeast Asia, the U.S. takes a much harder line on reproducing legal tender for any reason. “Attempting to import any amount of counterfeit currency, regardless of the intended purpose, can have serious implications for arriving travelers,” CBP Port Director Devin Chamberlain told reporters.
Despite the fact that the couple, who had originally started their travels in Vietnam, had a perfectly innocent reason for the bricks of counterfeit cash in their luggage, the money was still seized by the U.S. Secret Service. The federal agency, perhaps best known for protecting U.S. presidents, is also charged with investigating any cases involving the counterfeiting of currency – even if the currency is ceremonial “Hell Money.”
[Photo: Customs and Border Protection]
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I'm not Chinese myself, but I've burned hell money and hell gold for my in-laws during annual traditional ceremonies. It's pretty standard practice in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore. We never burn anything resembling US dollars though... I don't get why US currency would be legal tender in the afterlife in any case!
We're not worried about people crossing the border illegally, just illegal currency crossing the border?
Yeah, they have some interesting traditions at their funerals. Sadly, I had to participate in one for my grandparents, and it was well, unique and interesting, nothing like you'd ever see at a funeral over here in the USA.
Why are the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents taking this seriously? Their action suggests that there are some amongst them that are too stupid to see 'hell money' as fakes.
Burning paper representing money is part of the Asian tradition. Please do not judge it, as every religion has its share of strange customs. This said, it is usually not looking like real money at all.