BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - If you use a fake stamp, your mail could be in trouble. Counterfeit stamps can pose a major threat to the postal system.
Federal investigators say thousands of Lady Liberty and U.S. Flag stamps were forged and counterfeited, finding their way to convenience stores in Buffalo and Lackawanna. The investigation dates back three years.
Prosecutor Trini Ross of the U.S. Attorney's Fraud and Corruption Team said, "The postal distribution station on William Street noticed thousands of counterfeits going through. They called the postal inspectors and an investigation was launched."
U.S. Postal Inspectors will not say how they were able to detect the fraudulent stamps, but working with the FBI and Homeland Security agents, they say they were able to find the source.
"Did some good old fashioned police work to lead us to the individual who was selling the stamps," said U.S. Postal Inspector Ray Williams.
Rolls and rolls of the bogus stamps were allegedly being sold by Alcides Marcelino, a Rochester man who had been supplying grocery stores with cookies and cakes.
Ross said, "We know that he's a citizen of the Dominican Republic and he's a permanent lawful resident of the United States."
Federal authorities said Marcelino sold coils consisting of a hundred stamps, each coil worth $44 if they were real, for $25 a coil to a convenience store owner in Buffalo, who then turned around and sold the coils for $27 each to other convenience stores in the area.
The man Marcelino originally sold to became a federal informant.
The counterfeit stamp case has postal customers concerned, because unknowingly using a fake stamp could mean your mail is held as evidence.
Postal Inspector Ray Williams said, "In certain cases because of the criminal investigation, the mail is in fact detained for a time."
Williams says every effort is made to release that mail as quickly as possible if it's not needed as evidence. The best advice postal inspectors offer to consumers is to buy your stamps at the Post Office or a reputable vendor. And don't buy stamps if they are offered at lower prices than their current value.
