"A saleswoman had doubts about the banknotes and sought help from nearby officers of the road traffic police," the ministry spokesperson said.

The 10 1,000-som bills all had the same serial number. A search of the man’s vehicle turned up with 551 more 1,000-soums notes, worth about US$400, RIA Novosti reported.

"The detainee has admitted making a total of 14 million soums [about US$10,000] in false bills," the spokesperson said.

A criminal case has been launched against the man.