US$ 134.5 billion seized at Italian Border

[metalman]

Re: US$ 134.5 billion seized at Italian Border

While pure conjecture, I would agree with you. They are not just playing it down, they are not covering it at all in the US and Europe (outside Italy). If I was not such a trusting person, it would seem that the collective media has either been kindly informed that this story is off limits, or they all know it is the proverbial black swan.

Also, in regards to the authenticity of the bonds, common sense would suggest they are real. In mean, they were not trying to pass a fake $20 to a kid behind the counter of Burger King. You gotta think there would be just a little bit of scrutiny when dealing with $150 billion, but what do I know.

If nothing else, the cover story that comes out ought to be interesting. Any early bets on how the "spin" is shaped?

guys... over here... a scam & not even a new one... fake bonds...

[TheServant]

Re: US$ 134.5 billion seized at Italian Border

While pure conjecture, I would agree with you. They are not just playing it down, they are not covering it at all in the US and Europe (outside Italy). If I was not such a trusting person, it would seem that the collective media has either been kindly informed that this story is off limits, or they all know it is the proverbial black swan.

Also, in regards to the authenticity of the bonds, common sense would suggest they are real. In mean, they were not trying to pass a fake $20 to a kid behind the counter of Burger King. You gotta think there would be just a little bit of scrutiny when dealing with $150 billion, but what do I know.

If nothing else, the cover story that comes out ought to be interesting. Any early bets on how the "spin" is shaped?

[makimanos]

Re: US$ 134.5 billion seized at Italian Border

Instead of an enormous covering the media are playing it down. It must be something very serious.

[Mashuri]

Re: US$ 134.5 billion seized at Italian Border

I found photos of those two smugglers:





"One hundred beellion dollars!" (+34.5 billion...)

[Sapiens]

Re: US$ 134.5 billion seized at Italian Border

yes - but if they are real, then they probably came from one of 3 or 4 govts

wonder what the plan was to do with these; how they would have been utilized ? to what end?

and if they are real, who is the original owner? the US govt?

has anyone claimed these?

benny?

Talking about this with one of our finance lawyers he mentioned for me to take a look at the 14th Amendment... Ah, the things that lawyers dream about:

http://www.law.cornell.edu/constitut...ndmentxiv.html
Amendment XIV

Section 4. The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any state shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.

[Andreuccio]

Re: US$ 134.5 billion seized at Italian Border

I was getting skeptical about the veracity of this story, as there seems to be absolutely no media coverage of this other than the asianews.it cite, but I did some digging and found the Italian Guardia di Finaza web pages and it seems they are indeed reporting it. I can't read Italian but it's clearly referencing the same story. Can anyone read Italian check if any of the pertinent facts contradict the asianews.it version? http://www.gdf.it/GdF__Informa/Notiz...518911049.html

It reads exactly as reported: two Japanese in their 50's stopped at the border of Italy and Switzerland, in Chiasso, with $135 billion in bonds hidden in a satchel. Possible fine up to 40%.

Funniest line: "al momento del controllo doganale, hanno sostenuto di non avere nulla da dichiarare."

"at the moment of customs control, they claimed to not have anything to declare."

[pianodoctor]

Re: US$ 134.5 billion seized at Italian Border

I was getting skeptical about the veracity of this story, as there seems to be absolutely no media coverage of this other than the asianews.it cite, but I did some digging and found the Italian Guardia di Finaza web pages and it seems they are indeed reporting it. I can't read Italian but it's clearly referencing the same story. Can anyone read Italian check if any of the pertinent facts contradict the asianews.it version? http://www.gdf.it/GdF__Informa/Notiz...518911049.html

[thunderdownunder]

Re: US$ 134.5 billion seized at Italian Border

100% True test of Fake or not.
Take the bonds out, all 134 billion and put a match to them. If they dont burn thay is real money, if they burn thay was just a bit of purdy paper dat ant nufin but carbon and worth doddly shite. and the greens will want to tax de carbon footprint youall left on the ground. Go on Iz dares yah Burn em

[blazespinnaker]

Re: US$ 134.5 billion seized at Italian Border

don't think anyone trusts anyone. buyers probably wanted more than the treasuries word that they were now the legal owners of bonds they'd bought. Wonder what they paid with?

I can't imagine the treasury invests in a lot of counterfitting technology on the treasuries. I also suspect if you have 134B worth of treasuries, you could probably counterfit a few certificates.

This really doesn't pass the smell test... probably why the MSM isn't bothering picking it up.

[marvenger]

Re: US$ 134.5 billion seized at Italian Border

don't think anyone trusts anyone. buyers probably wanted more than the treasuries word that they were now the legal owners of bonds they'd bought. Wonder what they paid with?

[blazespinnaker]

Re: US$ 134.5 billion seized at Italian Border

These aren't bearer bonds are they?

It seems to me that ownership is probably controlled by the US treasury and if you want to transfer / sell them, you probably have to notify the US treasury through established channels.

You could probably photocopy these things and they'd have the same value.

Maybe the reason they were smuggled wasn't so much because they were trying to steal them or hide them, they just wanted to hide some paper evidence of who the true owners were. Not sure why they wouldn't just fax them though, and then burn them.

[LargoWinch]

Re: US$ 134.5 billion seized at Italian Border

Since I do not own any (yet ;)), how can someone cash these instruments? Are they for Central Banks only? Or perhaps inter-banks instruments?

[Jay]

Re: US$ 134.5 billion seized at Italian Border

Wow. Whether they're real or fake it will likely help undermine faith in paper currency either way. If those quantities of money are being illegitimately moved, it doesn't engender faith in the existing system.

[audrey_girl]

Re: US$ 134.5 billion seized at Italian Border

Where the bonds came from and where they are going? Answer that and we may solve a great mystery: how Japan intends to sell its US Treasury bond hoard before China sells theirs.


http://www.itulip.com/forums/showthr...602#post103602

thanks EJ

now I understand

[audrey_girl]

Re: US$ 134.5 billion seized at Italian Border

My guess is that they will turn out to be both real and perfectly legal.

yes - but if they are real, then they probably came from one of 3 or 4 govts

wonder what the plan was to do with these; how they would have been utilized ? to what end?

and if they are real, who is the original owner? the US govt?

has anyone claimed these?

benny?