00:00Counterfeit $100 Blitz Nails 12 In-N-Outs in Biggest Fake Cash Bust of the Year
00:05Authorities say Oriana Lewis, 24, and Tatiana Foster, 26, passed counterfeit $100 bills
00:12at about 12 In-N-Out locations across Los Angeles and Orange counties from October to December 2025,
00:19triggering a multi-agency investigation.
00:22Investigators say the suspects used counterfeit $100 bills for small purchases to receive legitimate change.
00:30In-N-Outs, high-volume, cash-heavy service, and fast transactions allegedly reduced scrutiny,
00:36especially during busy periods.
00:38Authorities found no evidence of insider involvement or unique negligence.
00:42The alleged counterfeit passes were not confined to a single city.
00:47Investigators linked incidents across multiple communities in Southern California,
00:50including Glendale, Palmdale, and parts of Orange County.
00:54Investigators used surveillance, transaction records, and matching counterfeit bill features
00:59to link incidents.
01:01When arrested in Palmdale on October 30, 2025,
01:05Oriana Lewis allegedly possessed similar fake bills, receipts, and gift cards.
01:10Glendale Police, K-9 units, and the U.S. Marshals Task Force carried out the arrest
01:15due to the case's multi-jurisdictional scope.
01:18Tatiana Foster surrendered on December 15, 2025, ending the search.
01:24Oriana Lewis was charged with felony counterfeiting and grand theft in November 2025,
01:29pleaded not guilty, and faces ongoing court proceedings.
01:33As of the latest updates, Foster had not yet faced formal counterfeiting charges in this case
01:38and was awaiting her first related court appearance.
01:41In-N-Out's customers suffered no verified harm as losses were absorbed by the company.
01:47In-N-Out cooperated with police by sharing surveillance and transaction data,
01:51aiding the investigation, with no confirmed changes to payment practices or internal policies.
01:58Employees unknowingly accepted counterfeit bills but reported concerns,
02:01triggering a multi-agency investigation.
02:04Glendale Police, regional partners, and the U.S. Marshals Task Force collaborated
02:08due to the cross-county scope, helping resolve the case efficiently.
02:13Officials called the case notable for its coordination and scope, not total losses.
02:18Police urged retailers to inspect large bills carefully
02:21and promptly report suspected counterfeits to prevent wider circulation.
02:25Police urged prompt reporting of suspected counterfeit bills to aid investigations.
02:31Authorities have not revealed the source of the fake currency
02:33or confirmed whether additional suspects or a larger operation may be involved.
02:38Small fast food purchases allegedly led to felony charges
02:41showing counterfeit currency use can trigger serious legal consequences
02:45once repeated patterns are identified.
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