TASHKENT, January 7 (RIA Novosti) - A counterfeiter who printed $10,000 in fake Uzbek banknotes has been arrested after trying to buy five pairs of socks with some of the false bills, Uzbekistan's Interior Ministry said on Wednesday.

"A saleswoman had doubts about the banknotes and sought help from nearby officers of the road traffic police," the ministry spokesperson said.

The 10 1,000-som bills all had the same serial number. A search of the man's vehicle turned up with 551 more 1,000-som notes, worth about $400.

"The detainee has admitted making a total of 14 million som [about $10,000] in false bills," the spokesperson said.

A criminal case has been launched against the man.