http://www.welt.de/wirtschaft/article391....

The contraband securities valued at 134 billion U.S. dollars are apparently real. The Italian financial police had two Japanese caught in the false bottom suitcase billion-dollar bonds in Switzerland wanted to create

At least part of the bonds worth 96 billion euros, the two men on the Italian border into Switzerland smuggle wanted, is probably real.t said a representative of the Italian financial police Como on Saturday. Zu dem Fund gehören zehn sogenannte Kennedy-Bonds zu je einer Milliarde Dollar (715 Millionen Euro) und 249 US-Staatsanleihen mit einem Nennwert von je 500 Millionen Dollar (rund 358 Millionen Euro). Among the finds are ten so-called Kennedy-bonds to one billion dollars (715 million euros) and 249 U.S. government bonds with a nominal value of 500 million U.S. dollars each (about 358 million euros).

The tax collectors had the valuable papers on 3 Juni im doppelten Boden eines Koffers entdeckt. June in the double bottom of a suitcase was discovered. Die im Zug Richtung Schweiz reisenden Besitzer – den Angaben nach zwei Japaner über 50 – waren vorläufig festgenommen worden. The train traveling towards Switzerland owners - the information after two Japanese over 50 - were arrested on a provisional basis.

"Was die Echtheit der Kennedy-Bonds angeht, haben wir noch Zweifel, aber die US-Staatsanleihen im Wert von rund 358 Millionen Euro scheinen glaubwürdig. Sie sind aus Filigranpapier von ausgezeichneter Qualität“, erklärte Oberst Rodolfo Mecarelli. Außerdem liege den Papieren eine umfangreiche Bankdokumentation im Original bei. "As to the authenticity of the Kennedy-Bonds is concerned, we still have doubts, but the U.S. government bonds worth some 358 million euros seem credible. They are made of filigree paper of excellent quality," said Colonel Rodolfo Mecarelli. Moreover, the papers an extensive Bank in the original documentation

The examination of the securities has not yet been completed. Die "Guardia di Finanza“ ermittle zusammen mit dem amerikanischen Geheimdienst. Mecarelli zufolge hat der italienische Zoll bisher gefälschte Wertpapiere mit maximal bis zu einer Milliarde Dollar Wert aufgestöbert. The Guardia di Finanza "investigating together with the American secret service. Mecarelli According to the Italian customs so far counterfeit securities with up to a billion dollars worth aufgestöbert.

The huge smuggling scandal could prove to be unexpected cash injection for the indebted Italy out: If the authenticity of the securities threaten the smugglers high penalties, because it is prohibited, amounts in excess of 10,000 euros in non-EU countries which are without them at customs indicated. Der Staat dürfte 40 Prozent der beschlagnahmten Summe behalten: Das wären etwa 38,5 Milliarden Euro. The state is expected to 40 percent of the total seized keep: These would be approximately 38.5 billion euro

"As to the authenticity of the Kennedy-Bonds is concerned, we still have doubts, but the U.S. government bonds worth some 358 million euros seem credible. They are made of filigree paper of excellent quality," said Mecarelli. Moreover, the papers an extensive bank documentation in the original. The authenticity test, but go further. The Guardia di Finanza "investigating together with the American secret service.

http://www.ftd.de/politik/europa/:Kenned....

http://translate.google.com/translate_t#

sooo....US gov bonds real, Kennedy bonds fake? Huh?

Italy
Schmuggel-Anleihen wahrscheinlich echt Smuggling bonds probably true

Zumindest ein Teil der Anleihen im Wert von 96 Mrd. Euro, die zwei Männer über die italienische Grenze in die Schweiz schmuggeln wollten, ist wahrscheinlich echt. At least part of the bonds worth 96 billion euros, the two men on the Italian border into Switzerland smuggle wanted, is probably real. Die beschlagnahmten US-Staatsanleihen erschienen echt, so die Behörden am Samstag. The seized U.S. Treasury bonds appeared authentic, according to the authorities on Saturday. Noch gibt es im Zusammengang mit dem mysteriösen Fund viele ungelöste Fragen. Still, there is in connection with the mysterious finds many unresolved questions.
Officials of the Italian customs: The Authority is a thick Fang managed. Source: ap Lupe

Beamte des italienischen Zolls: Der Behörde ist ein dicker Fang gelungen. Officials of the Italian customs: The Authority is a thick Fang managed. Quelle: ap Source: ap

HB CHIASSO.Ein vom italienischen Zoll aufgedeckter Schmuggelfall könnte sich als unverhoffter Geldsegen für den italienischen Staat erweisen. HB CHIASSO.Ein by the Italian customs of discovered smuggling case might be unexpected windfall for the Italian government prove. Denn zumindest ein Teil der geschmuggelten US-Staatsanleihen im Wert von 96 Mrd. Euro, mit denen zwei Männer vor gut einer Woche an der italienischen Grenze zur Schweiz erwischt wurden Because at least part of the contraband U.S. government bonds worth 96 billion euros, with those two men just over a week ago at the Italian border with Switzerland has been caught , könnte echt sein. Could really be. Das sagte Oberst Rodolfo Mecarelli von der italienischen Finanzpolizei Como am Samstag der Deutschen Presseagentur dpa. That said Colonel Rodolfo Mecarelli by the Italian financial police on Saturday Como Deutsche Presse Agentur dpa. Bis zu 40 Prozent der Summe - im Höchstfall also etwa 38,5 Mrd. Euro - dürfte der italienische Staat als Strafe für sich einfordern. Up to 40 percent of the total - in the maximum of about 38.5 billion euros - should the Italian government as a punishment in itself require. Zum Vergleich: Der italienische Verteidigungshaushalt 2008 belief sich auf rund 29 Mrd. Euro. For comparison: The Italian defense budget for 2008 amounted to around 29 billion euros.

Entdeckt wurden zehn sogenannte Kennedy-Bonds zu je einer Milliarde Dollar (715 Mio. Euro) und 249 US-Staatsanleihen mit einem Nennwert von je 500 Mio. Dollar (rund 358 Mio. Euro). Discovered, ten so-called Kennedy-bonds to one billion dollars (715 million euros) and 249 U.S. government bonds with a nominal value of 500 million U.S. dollars each (about 358 million euros). Die Männer der „Dogana Como-Chiasso“ fanden die wertvollen Papiere am 3. The men of the "Dogana Como-Chiasso" found the valuable papers on 3 Juni im doppelten Boden eines Koffers. June in the double bottom of a suitcase. Die im Zug Richtung Schweiz reisenden Besitzer - den Angaben nach zwei Japaner über 50 - wurden vorläufig festgenommen. The train traveling towards Switzerland owners - the information after two Japanese over 50 - have been provisionally arrested. Es ist verboten, Beträge über 10 000 Euro in Nicht-EU-Länder auszuführen, ohne sie beim Zoll anzugeben. It is forbidden to amounts in excess of 10 000 euros in non-EU countries which are without them at customs indicated.

„Was die Echtheit der Kennedy-Bonds angeht, haben wir noch Zweifel, aber die US-Staatsanleihen im Wert von rund 358 Mio. Euro scheinen glaubwürdig. "As to the authenticity of the Kennedy-Bonds is concerned, we still have doubts, but the U.S. government bonds worth some 358 million euros seem credible. Sie sind aus Filigranpapier von ausgezeichneter Qualität“, so Mecarelli. They are made of filigree paper of excellent quality, "said Mecarelli. Außerdem liege den Papieren eine umfangreiche Bankdokumentation im Original bei. Moreover, the papers an extensive bank documentation in the original. Die Echtheitsprüfung gehe aber weiter. The authenticity test, but go further. Die „Guardia di Finanza“ ermittle zusammen mit dem amerikanischen Geheimdienst. The Guardia di Finanza "investigating together with the American secret service.

Der Schmuggelskandal gibt noch viele Rätsel auf. The smuggling scandal are still many puzzling. Zwar ertappen die Zöllner an der schweizerischen Grenze öfter Schmuggler mit gewaltigen Geldwerten. Although the catch Zöllner on the Swiss border smugglers often with huge monetary values. Geldkuriere mit versteckten Banknoten und selbst Goldbarren seien häufig, hieß es. Cash couriers with hidden notes and even gold bars are often called it. Bei Wertpapieren in dieser Höhe zeige aber die Erfahrung, dass es sich meistens um Fälschungen handele. In the case of securities at this level but the experience showed that it mostly involved counterfeits. Die Gesamtsumme der beschlagnahmten US-Anleihen sei zudem einmalig hoch. The total amount of U.S. bonds seized was also highly unique. Der italienische Zoll stöberte bisher gefälschte Wertpapiere mit maximal bis zu einer Milliarde Dollar Wert auf. The Italian Customs searched previously counterfeit securities with up to a billion dollars in value.

Geheimnisvoll ist auch die Rolle der beiden Asiaten. Mysterious is the role of the two Asians. „Wir haben die beiden Männer verhört. "We have the two men interrogated. Sie haben ihre Aussagen hinterlegt und sind im Moment wieder auf freiem Fuß“, erklärte Mecarelli. They have their statements and are deposited in the moment again at large, "said Mecarelli. Mehr teilte der Oberst nicht mit - mit Verweis auf die noch laufenden Ermittlungen. More told the colonel not - with reference to the ongoing investigations. Es ist jedoch nach italienischen Medienberichten eher ungewöhnlich, dass an der italienischen Grenze zur Schweiz japanische Schmuggler festgenommen werden. It is, however, according to Italian media reports rather unusual that at the Italian border with Switzerland Japanese smugglers arrested.

http://www.handelsblatt.com/journal/nach....

Q: "What's to stop Tim from funneling the returned TARP money back to the big banks through AIG?"

A: The government of Italy?

Frauds, Phonies, & Scams http://www.treasurydirect.gov/instit/sta.... They mention "Morgenthau Bonds," can't find "Kennedy Bonds."

I don't get it.

If they are real, someone who owns 134 billion certainly has better means to transport the money.

If they are fake, who in the right mind will accept these bonds without checking it with US gov?

Maybe the Japs are trying to unload these things under the radar?

Quote:

If they are real, someone who owns 134 billion certainly has better means to transport the money.

Dammit John McLane, you have ruined my plans again

Quote:

Maybe the Japs are trying to unload these things under the radar?

My thoughts exactly!

"Poyayan" wrote..

If they are fake, who in the right mind will accept these bonds without checking it with US gov?

There would be little incentive to counterfeit bonds in those denominations because as you point out verification would be required before they are sold.

I imagine they are real and there is quite a story behind them. Probably a story that the USG doesn't want told.

"Poyayan" wrote..

If they are real, someone who owns 134 billion certainly has better means to transport the money.

Unless the idea was to get caught and have the story make news. Sending a message to the USG that the underlying story could be released?

This sure is a weird story. Were the 2 Japanese men released? I thought I read that they were released is that true?

IMHO and gut feeling,there was a counterparty waiting there in Switzerland for payment of gold-tranche.Japs probably joining the queue very hurriedly to exchange $ --> commodity.I am surprised who tipped off their plan!

The better question is WHO do these bonds belong to and WHO are those two Japanese men?

come on. How can it not be real???

Look, for that big amount of certificate. It has to change hand for cash. The people had that kind of cash to buy it MUST validate it first before it changes hand. We are not talking about few hundred thousand.
The real question is why? why they are doing **** like that. They must done it is such a hurry. And risked it big time.

Is this all? More operations like this here or other place in the world?
They should waterboard those two japanese and find out what they are trying to do. I hope this won't die in the european media. MSM treating Americans like ****ing mushroom.

IMO, the ones should be more intereting in this **** are chinese. Japanese said they are unshakable. and 134billions **** like this happend. Japanese had about 800+ billion in treasury(?). 134Billion. You do the math.

Is toilet paper for gold program behind the back door? Again. I am totoly surprised that they had such a huge operation in such a ****ty manner. Must be doing it in a hurry.

This is the weirdest story. First, bearer bonds have not been around for 20 years or so. Most bearer bonds had to have been called by now because they paid such a high interest rate.

Second -- I do not even know if they issue certificates anymore. I know I have owned some 20 or 30 year government bonds and it is all electronic.

Third -- there is no way that kind of transaction could take place unnoticed. I mean that stash was the fifth largest stash of US bonds held anywhere. If you were buying gold I believe this would move the gold market.

Fourth -- Someone must have known about these guys. That is a pretty detailed search of bags. I have moved between countries in Europe and no one has even looked at my bags. You cam move from France to Switzerland and not even get your passport stamped. going through customs in Oslo and the custom officers are sleeping. I have never had a bag opened anywhere in Europe (verusus Canada where I was practically stip searched one time).

Fifth -- If the bonds are forgeries they would be a little difficult to pass off. It is not like you can stand on the corner and go hey buddy you want to buy a billion dollar bearer bond!

Those Japanese guys are probably Yakuza. They would be hard nuts to crack!

Too weird!

so far on the surface, the story hasn't been disproven, the japanese are one of the only countries that have such a huge amount of Ts and the operation comes at a time when Ts are under heavy pressure.

i have thought it curious that the japanese being the 2nd largest holders of Ts have been silent through out the wave of Treasury selling.

seems like the only institution who could have such a large position would be the japanese central bank?

I doubt whether these bonds have anything to do with Japan. The Japanese couriers were red herrings. The arrest was a setup designed to expose the underlying transaction, which probably involved a massive U.S. bribe of a foreign government or leader. Something embarrassing that could rewrite history.

http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Asian_Econo....
Jul 15, 2003
Japan's foreign reserves currently total $496 billion, followed by China at $310 billion and Taiwan at US$170 billion

http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews....
Tue Jun 19, 2007 2:02pm EDT
Japan has the world's largest holding of tradable U.S. Treasuries, worth about $615 billion.

Can someone else fill it up with more data.

134 billion is a huge number. If it is real, I bet some **** storm is comming.

This news is very interesting. If it turns out to be true it can be one big swan. This ties in perfectly with the news of Japan saying that they would continue to buy treasuries and stay behind them.

I'm pretty sure the timing of that announcement by Japan came after this story broke?

It cannot be Yakuza, which was my first reaction. This is too big of an amount for the Yakuza to amass, you are talking the entire Yakuza fortune in the hands of these two men, not likely.

I am much more interested in knowing the counterparty to this $134B. Who would want to buy this way? Why will they buy $134B from supposedly the biggest supporter of Treasury, basically taking over 1/4 of Japan's entire UST reserve. Who has this kind of deep pocket to be that stupid?

This is a truly bizarre story, becoming less likely to be fabricated. It makes no sense that the bonds are counterfiet unless they were a prop in a movie which would have been announced immediately.

The alternative that a major holder is cashing out on the sly is scary enough to be a swan.

Riceball...for a discount, maybe. IMHO, is probably some bribe, etc. Govt. games...

The bonds are probably too old to be part of the Japanese stash, unless Roosevelt bribed them to attack Pearl Harbor or something like that.

My guess is that they have something to do with Russia. Something the U.S. doesn't want known.