Alpharetta cops smash alleged counterfeiting scam

Alpharetta police announced Nov. 12 they had arrested two men accused of scamming potential counterfeiters with the help of the Secret Service.

According to police, James Martin, 39, and Nelson Achonduh, 35, allegedly ran a scam wherein they would promise to counterfeit money for others, show them a fake process and then rob the duped "victims" when the money materialized for copying. They were arrested at the Citgo gas station on North Main Street in Alpharetta Nov. 6 after a sting operation involving undercover Alpharetta police.

George Gordon, a spokesman for the Alpharetta Department of Public Safety, said the city was contacted by the Secret Service about the scheme and worked together to catch the pair. They had an undercover Alpharetta Crime Suppression Unit officer meet with the pair, who allegedly showed him their process, said Gordon.

"[Martin and Achonduh] would meet with a source to show how they 'washed' currency," he said.

Gordon said the suspects would take a real bill and dip it into chemicals. They would then place the bill against a piece of paper, telling the source the image would transfer.

"In reality they would distract the source, place another real bill in place of the paper and tell the source it's a perfect imprint," said Gordon.

The co-conspirator was then asked to bring a large amount of money to a new location. When the money arrived, the two would rob the co-conspirator.

In this case, "our operative was promised $300,000 fake currency for $100,000 legitimate currencies," said Gordon.

A search of Martin and Achonduh's vehicle revealed a loaded handgun, said Gordon. Both suspects are facing two felony charges of criminal solicitation, and Martin is also charged with theft by taking.

They were released from Fulton County Jail Nov. 7 - Martin on a $75,000 bail, and Achonduh on a $25,000 bail.
- www.northfulton.com

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