The U.S.-based Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation (ACEF) recently hosted an eight-hour class with 35 Kansas and Missouri local, state and federal law enforcement investigators.
Led by ACEF Director Doug Davis, a former police chief in Pantego, Texas, the training session highlighted examples of counterfeit coins and precious metals, with physical fakes shown, while offering guidance for investigations.
“This educational program is one of the many strategic initiatives of ACEF to address the mass proliferation of counterfeit coins and precious metals within the U.S. marketplace,” said Davis, who was joined by Chris Hersey, a senior agent in the U.S. Treasury Department Office of Inspector General.
The seminar taught “the skill set to thoroughly investigate counterfeit coin and precious metals cases and identify the tools and investigative resources provided by ACEF,” Davis added.
“The class provided the law enforcement professionals with the fundamental investigative techniques and resources, knowledge and understanding to respond effectively to the complex challenges encountered during the investigation of crimes related to counterfeit coinage and precious metals.”
Davis began by providing an overview of the numismatic and precious metals industries and the complexities in numismatic and counterfeit crime investigations. Topics included identifying major sources of counterfeits, distribution methods, counterfeit diagnostics, identification of targeted victims, jurisdictional issues and case development.