Everett police arrested a suspect on March 24 who officials believe was involved in at least a dozen cases of responding to Craigslist ads by using counterfeit money to purchase electronics.

The suspect – a 21-year-old Everett man who has not been formally charged – was also linked to at least three counterfeit cases in Kirkland, said Kirkland police Det. Joseph Indahl.

The Reporter does not name suspects who have not been charged.

The suspect was arrested after several law enforcement agencies discovered their fraud investigations were connected.

Several agencies have received numerous complaints since December 2012 regarding an Asian male responding to Craigslist ads and purchasing iPhones and iPads, according to Everett police. In all cases, the man took possession of the electronics and left the scene before victims realized the money was counterfeit.

In total, 12 cases are believed to be linked to the same suspect in both King and Snohomish counties, including cases in Everett, Bothell, Redmond, Bellevue and Renton.

One Kirkland incident occurred on Jan. 20 when a resident tried to sell his iPhone 5 on Craigslist, said Indahl. The resident met the suspect at a Kirkland Starbucks and the Everett man gave him $580.

“The victim went back home and looked at the money a little bit closer,” said Indahl. “It didn’t feel right and it didn’t look quite right.”

Using a counterfeit pen, the Kirkland man discovered that the money was counterfeit and reported it to Kirkland police. Indahl said when police found out Everett police was working on a similar case, they launched a joint investigation, along with the Secret Service.

An Everett victim later identified the suspect through a photomontage that officials prepared as part of a 2011 counterfeit money case.

Everett police arrested the man in Lynnwood on March 24 and he confessed to the cases that police knew about, in addition to ones officials weren’t aware of, said Indahl. The suspect led law enforcement officials to his Everett home, where police seized additional counterfeit money and equipment for making the fake money.

The suspect was booked into the Snohomish County Jail.

Police believe he used counterfeit money to purchase approximately $4,000 in iPhones and iPads. He also faces drug charges.

The investigation is ongoing and none of the electronics have been recovered, said Everett police.

“I know there are other cases out there but we haven’t found all the cases yet,” noted Indahl.

The suspect is described as a 21-year-old Asian, about 5-feet, 8-inches tall and 130 pounds. Anyone with information about this incident or anyone who has been victimized in a similar fashion is asked to call the Everett Police Department tip line at (425) 257-8450.

Indahl also urges residents selling items on Craigslist to do transactions in public areas, such as in the parking lot of a police department where a criminal would be less likely to go.

“The biggest thing is if it appears to good to be true, it probably is,” added Indahl.