Authorities are investigating reports that counterfeiters used fake cash to buy Girl Scout cookies from stands in southern Maryland. According to St. Mary’s County deputies, the counterfeit money was passed in at least two different booths in the area.
The scam
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What we know: The suspected fake bills were discovered when a parent was searching through the cash and noticed that one of the $20 bills didn’t feel right. They took the bill inside a GameStop near their cookie stand, where an employee confirmed it was counterfeit.
The alleged bogus $20 bills may be seen in images provided to the department’s Facebook page.
Police said the two reports from Girl Scout units reporting the thefts arrived around the same time on Sunday, but investigators couldn’t say for sure if it was one individual. The two troops were selling cookies approximately half a mile apart.
The plan: pay for cookies with fictitious money and request change from the scouts, who were plainly real. Based on the fact that they were false $20 bills and the cookies cost about $6 per box, the thief(s) might have gotten away with about $15—plus the cookies.
Scouts stay resilient
What they’re saying: Troop 10005 was among the groups targeted. They are raising money to travel to Europe. FOX 5 spoke with scouts Spencer Ewald and Molly Smith, who say they are frustrated but not discouraged.
“I don’t know why someone would do that. Like, why would you make someone feel that way? Like, just to get your money back. That’s not very fair,” Ewald said.
“I think it’s made me want to sell more. So that way, like, other girls are more motivated,” Smith told FOX 5. “To see, like, we had this happen to us, and if it happens to you, you’ll be ok too, and you can keep going.”
Gloria Dempsey, one of the scout leaders, told FOX 5 that she is saddened by what happened and wants whoever did it to come forward, but she is also inspired by the Girl Scouts’ fortitude.
“These are girls that are working hard to build courage, confidence and character, to set goals for themselves, to learn good business ethics skills,” Dempsey said. “To think somebody would take advantage of them like that is appalling.”
On Monday, a third unit called Dempsey to report that they, too, had counterfeit money. Police in St. Mary’s County are still investigating. Anyone with information is asked to reach out.
To help the Girl Scouts, you can buy cookies online from Troop 10005 or Troop 10093.
