The youths were charged on Friday and Saturday following several weeks of investigations and observation. The investigation began after a number of petrol stations reported that counterfeit bank notes were being used at the automatic petrol pumps.

The first set of two youths were charged before Magistrate Anthony Vella on Friday. The youths, from Senglea and Zabbar, were charged with circulating the fake money. They were not granted bail and were remanded in custody.

On Saturday, the police charged another four men from Cospicua, Zejtun and Paola before Magistrate Michael Mallia. The men were granted bail but placed under house arrest.

Meanwhile, the Police Economic Crimes Section are still investigating the case and are expected to press similar charges against more people in the coming days.