Woman Makes Fake Banknotes

Fake banknotes created of computer paper and sticky tape were employed in a Wellington bar by a Palmerston North adult female who has been imprisoned for making the counterfeit $50 and $100 notes.

Tamara Karepa, 32, was accused of six counts of using counterfeited papers, two of breach of bail and breach of community work.

In Wellington District Court, Justice Peter Butler imprisoned Karepa yesterday for 11 months.

The justice said Karepa tried to use a bogus $100 note to purchase shoes in Palmerston North and said to police she had been given the money at the bank.

In Wellington, she passed on over $250 to pay for drinks before bar staff detected the fake bills.

Justice Butler said Karepa had previous sentences, and had been jailed before for like crimes.

Karepa's lawyer, Mark Lillico, stated she had scanned banknotes and then added sticky tape to imitate transparent films on each note.