Legendary FBI Detective-Chapter 825 - 827: Beginning the Investigation

"Nobody knows?"

Wednesday, 2:30 PM, Insomnia Building, Special Investigation Unit Office Area.

Looking at the interrogation records presented by Chenier, Winslow and Michelle were very surprised. Reesi asked incredulously:

"Do the gang members in that underground casino not know about the counterfeit money either?"

"They know, but they don't know."

Chenier spread his hands helplessly and said:

"Simply put, the casino manager knows about that secret room, which is used for storing and counting money.

But Jenduo's gang is strictly managed. The casino manager is only responsible for maintaining order, while money matters are always handled by Jenduo's trusted confidants.

The manager only knows about the money but has never touched it and doesn't even know that it's counterfeit."

Mona immediately asked:

"What about Jenduo's confidants? Do they know about the counterfeit money?"

"Unfortunately, I didn't get the chance to ask them."

Chenier took out a photo from the operation scene and showed it to everyone, explaining:

"These on the ground are the confidants responsible for money matters."

"..." x4

Looking at the confidants who died beside Jenduo, also blown to pieces by grenades, everyone in the office area was at a loss for words.

"No problem, this information still provides us with some clues."

When the agents didn't know what to say, Luo An pushed open the office area door, holding some documents, and walked in with a smile:

"Since neither the bookies nor the gang members know about the counterfeit money, and only Jenduo's confidants have access to it,

that means the person selling this counterfeit money only has contact with Jenduo or his confidants."

Winslow and Reesi nodded slightly, Chenier thought for a moment, and asked:

"Luo An, you just mentioned 'the person selling counterfeit money.'

Are you suspecting that the person selling the counterfeit money isn't the one making it?"

"Exactly."

Luo An nodded with a smile:

"When it comes to counterfeit bills, the person making them only needs to focus on production, while the seller has to consider many other factors."

"..." x5

Luo An's words left everyone speechless, unsure of how to respond.

After a few seconds of silence, Reesi remarked:

"Why does it sound like making counterfeit money is a very easy job in your mouth, Luo An?"

"Paper, watermark, ink, security thread, printing, portrait, serial numbers..."

Luo An smiled, distributing the documents in his hand to everyone, and said:

"To most people, making counterfeit bills is as difficult as climbing to the sky, but to others, it might be... not that simple."

The agents were too tired to argue with Luo An. They looked at the content in the folders, and their expressions suddenly turned very surprised:

"The paper of the counterfeit money isn't much different from that of real money?"

"That's right."

Luo An picked up the twenty-dollar counterfeit bill on the table and commented with interest:

"With the help of Trick Kennedy, several currency experts have closely examined it. They are certain that this batch of counterfeit bills, with a total value of Five hundred thousand dollars, showcases excellent technology in terms of watermark, ink, security thread, printing, and portraits.

Three years ago, when a few counterfeit bills were discovered in California, experts suspected that the same group made this batch of counterfeit money.

The techniques are very similar, but the technology has improved significantly."

"Wow."

After reading the summary report in the folder, surprise flashed in Mona's eyes. She looked up and said:

"So these people have completely mastered the process and craftsmanship of making US Dollars, and they are replicating counterfeit money?"

"You could say that."

Luo An shook the twenty-dollar bill in his hand and said:

"Aside from the serial numbers not being issued by the Federation Government, these counterfeit bills are basically private reproductions of real money."

"What a talented group."

Looking at that twenty-dollar bill, Winslow, Michelle, and Chenier were full of admiration, while Reesi thought for a moment and said:

"I have a feeling that if we catch these forgery experts this time, they might not even go to jail.

Or they might just serve a very short time before getting recruited by our FBI or other departments."

"Let's worry about the future when it comes, we haven't even caught them yet."

Mona rolled her eyes at Reesi, put down the folder, and looked at Luo An, asking:

"Luo An, where should we start the investigation next?"

"For this case, we need to investigate separately."

Luo An paused for a moment, rubbed his temples, and said:

"From the information we have, Jenduo and his confidants definitely had contact with the person selling the counterfeit money.

Mona, Reesi, you two team up and carefully investigate these two people's social connections and call records before their deaths. We need to find a way to locate that person.

Additionally, the group making counterfeit bills wouldn't only stop at this five hundred thousand dollars. They must have other counterfeit bills that are likely being sold to others.

Chenier, you investigate this aspect, carefully contacting other states within the Federation to see if similar counterfeit money is circulating. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

If so, get in touch with local law enforcement to recover it, and then we'll decide if we need to go there to investigate further and see if we can find the original distributors."

"OK."

"No problem."

Mona, Reesi, and Chenier all nodded in agreement, taking their orders. Winslow raised his hand:

"What about Michelle and me?"

"You two will probably have a lot of work coming up."

Luo An walked into his team leader's office, took out another folder, and handed it over to Winslow and Michelle, introducing:

"The process of making counterfeit money is long, with many details, among which paper is the most important."

Michelle took the folder and looked at it carefully, immediately widening her eyes in shock:

"These are the paper mills capable of making paper from cotton and linen across the Federation?"

"Exactly."

Luo An explained:

"The paper for twenty-dollar bills is made from cotton and linen.

Your task is to contact them and investigate whether anyone tried to purchase paper suitable for making US Dollars in the past three years."

Looking at the more than ten pages of factory lists, Winslow's mouth twitched, and he asked:

"Why can't the counterfeiters make the paper themselves?"

"The cost of paper production is too high."

Luo An patted Winslow's shoulder and explained:

"The fundamental purpose of making counterfeit money is to make a profit, so costs must be low.

Ideally, you would use $1 worth of raw materials to produce a $100 bill, not $50 or even higher raw material costs to make a $100 bill.

Among these, paper production is the most expensive and economically unfeasible."

The counterfeiting market in the Federation estimates that a $100 counterfeit can sell for $30 real US Dollars.

If the total cost of materials for one counterfeit bill exceeds $30, it's basically a loss.

"OK."

Winslow nodded, took a few deep breaths, and turned to begin working with Michelle.

Mona, Reesi, and Chenier also began to handle their assigned work. Luo An pondered for a few seconds before taking out his phone to call Trick Kennedy:

"Good afternoon, Officer. There's another matter regarding the counterfeit money case that I need your help with..."

Busy and bustling, time quickly reached the end of the workday. After a bit of packing, everyone chatted and joked before each driving off in different directions.

Luo An and Mona didn't rush home. Instead, they drove to a chain supermarket to pick up some ingredients for dinner. In the process of selecting the food, a gunshot suddenly exploded not far from them!

Bang!

"Don't eat the pickled radish! Give me the money!"