Poverty forces housewives to pass counterfeit money

PURBALINGGA: Two housewives in Purbalingga regency, Central Java, were arrested for passing counterfeit bank notes, claiming that poverty incited the crime.

The suspects, Sugiarti, 31, and Misni, 41, were arrested while shopping at a traditional market in the regency Friday.

"I didn't know what else to do. My children needed food," Sugiarti told reporters at the Purbalingga Police Precinct on Friday.

Sugiarti claimed to have bought 20 conterfeit Rp 50,000 notes for Rp 250,000 (US$25) from Misni.

Misni, in turn, claimed to have bought the counterfeit notes in Magelang regency, Central Java.

"I thought it was like a regular transaction. But we were arrested," she said.

Purbalingga Police deputy chief Comr. Suharto said the police were cooperating with Magelang Police to identify other suspects. - JP