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Coin con man bilked banks out of $30K with fake toonies

Police say 17 banks in British Columbia were defrauded of more than $30,000 over a three-month period by a suspect who allegedly passed off washers as toonies hidden in coin rolls.

Police say 17 banks in British Columbia were defrauded of more than $30,000 over a three-month period by a suspect who allegedly passed off washers as toonies hidden in coin rolls.

 North Vancouver RCMP warned of this man, pictured above, back in April after he pulled off a scam using fake rolls of toonies. Photo supplied.North Vancouver RCMP warned of this man, pictured above, back in April after he pulled off a scam using fake rolls of toonies. Photo supplied.

North Vancouver RCMP say the alleged scam involved the exchange of bills for more than 600 rolls of what were presented to the banks as $2 coins.

Each roll of 25 coins was worth $50 and the Mounties say they were exchanged between March and May.

Although the rolls appeared legitimate, police allege only the toonies at the end of each roll were real and the remainder of the roll contained metal washers.

 RCMP in North Vancouver have issued an arrest warrant for a man accused of defrauding 17 banks over a three month period. Police say the 43-year-old former Nova Scotia resident exchanged more than 600 rolls of two-dollar coins for bills. Rolls of wrapped metal washers, with toonies at the ends, are shown in an undated police handout photo. Although the rolls appeared legitimate, police say only the toonies at the end of each roll were real, the remainer of the roll contained metal washers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-RCMP RCMP in North Vancouver have issued an arrest warrant for a man accused of defrauding 17 banks over a three month period. Police say the 43-year-old former Nova Scotia resident exchanged more than 600 rolls of two-dollar coins for bills. Rolls of wrapped metal washers, with toonies at the ends, are shown in an undated police handout photo. Although the rolls appeared legitimate, police say only the toonies at the end of each roll were real, the remainer of the roll contained metal washers. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-RCMP, *MANDATORY CREDIT

After an investigation that spanned several municipalities, the RCMP say a report was submitted and the B.C. Prosecution Service issued an arrest warrant on Sept. 19.

Police say 43-year-old Terrelle Talbot, who is of no fixed address but is originally from Nova Scotia, is wanted on 17 counts of criminal fraud over $5,000.