A man from Ontario was accused after nearly 10,000 counterfeit Tunisian coins were discovered circulating in Canada.

According to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), an investigation was opened in the summer of 2021 after the Royal Canadian Mint discovered "an ongoing problem with counterfeit currency through a random sampling process."

The police said that through the investigation, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police seized nearly 10,000 counterfeit pieces that were placed into the Canadian banking system.

According to the police, there may be additional counterfeit coins in the currency system.

On the other hand, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) warned about the counterfeit "Z dollar" currency surfacing in eastern Ontario.

The police said that the counterfeit two-dollar coins can be distinguished by a fundamental flaw that characterizes them: the presence of a "split finger" at the front of the right hand of the polar bear, which resembles a "claw."

For his part, James Malaysia, Vice President of Corporate Security at the Royal Canadian Mint, said in a statement on Monday, "The Royal Canadian Mint will continue to work closely with financial institutions and the RCMP to ensure the integrity of the Canadian currency supply."

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said they arrested a 68-year-old Richmond Hill man, Daixion He, accused of manipulating counterfeit money and possessing counterfeit money.

According to the police, he was arrested and released on a promise to appear, and will face Newmarket Court on June 2, where the charges have not yet been proven in court.

The question is what should you do if you receive counterfeit money?

Bank of Canada offers advice on what to do if you suspect you have counterfeit currency.

During a transaction, if you suspect you are being offered a counterfeit note, assess the situation to ensure you are not in danger, then do the following:

Politely refuse the currency and explain that you suspect it may be counterfeit, ask for another note (and check it as well).

Also, ask the person to verify the currency with the local police and report the suspected attempt to pass counterfeit money to the local police, and be polite.

Also, remember that the person holding the bill may be an innocent victim unaware that the note is suspicious. After the transaction, if you suspect you have received a counterfeit note, give it to the local police; if it is genuine, you will get it back.