The $200 Million Counterfeit Deal That Helped Frank Bourassa Go From Getting 60 Years In Prison To Only 6 Weeks

The Man Who Quit His Job to Print Money: The Astonishing Story of Frank Bourassa. In a story that sounds more like a Hollywood crime thriller than real life, Frank Bourassa walked away from his everyday business career and made a decision few would ever dare to attempt—he decided to literally print money.

A former businessman from Quebec, Bourassa had grown frustrated with the limitations of his work life. Instead of pivoting to a new industry or chasing a different career path, he chose an audacious and illegal alternative: counterfeiting U.S. currency at a level so advanced that even law enforcement would later admit the bills were barely detectable to the naked eye.

Engineering the Perfect Fake

Unlike typical counterfeiters who rely on cheap paper and low-quality printers, Bourassa approached the operation like a master craftsman. He sourced the exact cotton-linen blend used in authentic U.S. dollar bills, carefully studied ink compositions, and replicated complex security features with astonishing precision. Investigators would later describe his work as some of the most technically sophisticated counterfeit currency ever produced.

Between 2007 and 2012, Bourassa printed an estimated $250 million in counterfeit $20 bills, distributing them across international markets. The notes were so convincing that many circulated undetected, blending seamlessly into the global cash economy.

The Arrest That Changed Everything

In 2012, authorities finally traced the operation back to Bourassa. When he was arrested, the stakes were enormous—he was facing up to 60 years in prison, a sentence that would have effectively ended his life behind bars.

But Bourassa held one powerful bargaining chip: he still had a massive portion of the counterfeit money hidden away.

The $200 Million Deal

In a stunning turn of events, Bourassa revealed the location of roughly $200 million in counterfeit bills that had not yet entered circulation. By handing it over, he prevented an enormous flood of fake currency from destabilizing markets and overwhelming investigators.

That cooperation changed everything.

In one of the most shocking legal outcomes tied to financial crime, Bourassa struck a deal with authorities. In exchange for surrendering the remaining counterfeit stock and fully cooperating, he served just six weeks in prison—an almost unbelievable sentence considering the scale of the operation.

A Crime Story for the History Books

Frank Bourassa’s case now stands as one of the boldest and most sophisticated counterfeiting schemes in modern history. It’s a story that blurs the line between criminal genius and reckless ambition, showing how far technical skill, preparation, and timing can carry someone—even in the face of federal law enforcement.

From quitting his job to nearly flooding the global economy with flawless fake currency, Bourassa didn’t just break the law—he rewrote the playbook on counterfeiting, leaving behind a story that still fascinates investigators and the public alike.