Counterfeit Scam Suspects Bidas Tsombeng, Dany Thelineau Nabbed in Cherokee County

CHEROKEE COUNTY, Ga. - An alert business owner helped police thwart a counterfeit cash scheme in Cherokee County. Sheriff's investigators working with the U.S. Secret Service arrested two suspects in Acworth Tuesday.

A joint investigation between the Cherokee Sheriffs Office and U.S. Secret Service resulted in the arrest of two individuals Tuesday afteoon near Bells Ferry Road and Highway 92.

A local business owner contacted the Cherokee Sheriffs Office two weeks ago and reported that two suspects had approached him about laundering large quantities of counterfeit money. The suspects claimed they could provide up to $2 million in counterfeit money in exchange for real currency at a rate of 50 cents on the dollar.

Investigators arranged an undercover meeting Tuesday afteoon between the business owner and the suspects to further discuss the transaction. While monitoring the conversation investigators determined that the suspects were proposing a scam in which the scammers trade white paper for real cash. The scammers explain that when treated with certain chemicals the paper transforms into high quality counterfeit cash.

The scammers often demonstrate how it works and give the would-be victim real cash and explain that it is counterfeit money.

The two suspects, Bidas Tsombeng (a.k.a. Simon Makoko), 36-years-old of Woodstock, and Dany Thelineau, 31-years-old of France, were both arrested and charged with Conspiracy to Commit Theft and Violation of the Georgia RICO Act. A subsequent search of the suspects' vehicle resulted in the seizure of $20,000 of real US currency hidden in the back seat.

The exact incident location and business owners name are being withheld for his protection. Both suspects remain in custody at the Cherokee Adult Detention Center. The suspects' bonds have been set at $66,400. ICE placed a hold on Thelineau.