Fake money for movies being used to commit crimes

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. - It looks like real money, but when you take a closer look you can see the print that identifies it as motion picture money.

Gwinnett County Police said the fake money used for movies was used twice on Sunday, August 14th to purchase two cars from private sellers.

“Under the cover of darkness he got me,” said David Tolbert, who was selling a 2006 Volvo. 

Tolbert and his fiancée Jennifer Stiles became victims when police said 39-year-old Joseph DeAngelo Lamb used the fake money to purchase their car.

“He told us that he had a dealership, that he sold cars, that he could bring temporary plates and put them on there,” said Jennifer Stiles.  “He actually left and came back that evening to do so.”

Detectives said when Lamb came back later that night he brought 21-year-old Dominic Mayberry and $2,000 in motion picture money.

“The bills were face up, he counted everything out and unfortunately for me I didn’t pay attention to the money, until I got inside with her,” said Tolbert.

“As soon as my fiancé came in the house and put it in my hands and I just knew from the touch that it was counterfeit,” said Stiles.

Stiles used to work in banking and said when she looked at the money it said motion picture on the back.

“He counted it face up and on the backside is where it says motion picture, so when you are looking at it and he is counting it out to you, until you have it all in your hand you don’t realize,” said Stiles.

Investigators said the same duo struck earlier that day when they paid $1,300 in motion picture money for a Volkswagen Beetle.

Investigators ask anyone who knows where Lamb and Mayberry are to contact the Gwinnett County Police Department or Crime Stoppers.  There is a reward of up to $2,000 for information that leads to an arrest.