Cuban authorities reported the seizure of 82 counterfeit 100-dollar bills during a home search conducted a few days ago in Cárdenas, Matanzas, according to information from the Facebook profile "Con Todos La Victoria", linked to the Ministry of the Interior (MININT) in that province.
The publication identified the resident of the registered residence by the alias “El Oso” and stated that the agents found counterfeit bills with a nominal value of 8,200 dollars.
It was not specified whether the money had been used in transactions or if it was intended for circulation.
During the operation, dice, cards, domino pieces, and tables were also seized, objects that the authorities linked to the practice of illegal gambling.
The publication did not specify whether the agents found individuals participating in gambling nor did it provide information on the amounts of money that were allegedly involved in those activities.
Likewise, the pro-government profile stated that there were appliances in the house used as a form of collateral.
However, it did not specify which devices were seized, to whom they belonged, or the conditions under which these operations allegedly took place.
The report presented the findings as part of police actions against illegal activities in the municipality of Matanzas, although it did not clarify whether there was any connection between the counterfeit bills, the illegal gambling, and the alleged pledges.
According to the publication, authorities are keeping the investigation open.
It was not specified whether charges have been brought against the resident, if they have been detained, or what their legal status is. There was also no information provided about other individuals being investigated in relation to the seized items.
Background of counterfeit dollar circulation in Cuba
The presence of counterfeit dollars has been reported previously in various Cuban provinces, both in private business transactions and in incidents related to the use of cash.
In January 2026, an incident was reported in Unión de Reyes, Matanzas, where a young woman was caught with 17 counterfeit 100-dollar bills while trying to pay at a private café. That amount represented a nominal value of 1,700 dollars.
In August, there were also reports of scams involving counterfeit dollars in several provinces.
Among the cases reported was that of a café worker in Ciego de Ávila who had to reimburse from her own pocket the money received as fraudulent payment.
These records refer to different incidents, and no connection has been established between them and the home visit conducted in Cárdenas.
What does Cuban legislation establish?
The Cuban Penal Code, approved under Law No. 151 of 2022, includes offenses related to the forgery and circulation of currency, as well as the organization of illegal gambling.
The application of those provisions depends on the behaviors that are substantiated during an investigation.
In particular, the possession of counterfeit bills does not alone allow for the determination of whether a person was involved in their production, distribution, or circulation.
In the case of Cárdenas, the official publication did not identify the specific crimes that the authorities are investigating nor did it provide information about a potential formal accusation.
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