Celery, Cigarettes, and a Counterfeit: Mini Mart Scuffle Over Fake $100 with Chinese Markings
September 10, 2025 | Local News | By Staff Reporter
A quiet afternoon at the First Mini Mart took a dramatic turn when a woman allegedly attempted to make a purchase using a counterfeit $100 bill—marked with Chinese characters on the back.
According to a store employee, the woman entered the store accompanied by a man wearing a backpack and paid for her items using the suspicious bill. “She bought a 30-pack, a pack of cigarettes, and two bags of celery,” the employee reported. The counterfeit note was discovered shortly after the transaction.
Authorities were called to the scene, where they confronted the woman, identified as Virginia. When questioned, she claimed the bill had been given to her by a friend known only as “Tyger.”
“I looked at it. Didn’t see it was counterfeit,” Virginia told officers. “I don’t have the money now. My friend Tyger gave it to me.”
When pressed further, she admitted she didn’t know Tyger’s real name.
The responding officer noted a glaring issue with the bill: it featured Chinese writing on the back, a clear indicator that it was not legal U.S. tender.
“I don’t think anywhere in the United States we print with Chinese characters on the back of our bills,” the officer stated bluntly.
The store is reportedly seeking reimbursement for the lost funds. No formal charges have been announced yet, pending further investigation into the source of the counterfeit bill.
As authorities look into the identity of the elusive “Tyger,” the case serves as another reminder for both consumers and businesses to closely inspect high-denomination bills—especially when celery and smokes are on the line.
