Here’s a few ways to interpret that, in order of decreasing probability and increasing hilarity:
1. The reporter and editor are so clueless as to let such an obvious mistake make it to publication.
2. The report is accurate because the counterfeiters were so dumb they wrote the wrong thing on the papers.
3. The Federal Reserve covertly worked with Asian governments to secretly issue Fed-Bonds to bypass Congressional authorization and bungled the thing Inspector Cluseau style.
Actually, the whole mix of events - from massive numbers of bearer bonds to the unprofessional manner of movement to the apparently Japanese nationals - sounds more like a North Korean counterfeiting operation than anything else. If so, I hope the other deliveries that we didn’t catch are obvious forgeries.
The real question is who benefits from a story reported outside the US that causes you to conclude:
1. Some sovereign holdings are being shifted secretly.
2. Billions are being counterfeited.
3. Either way you cannot trust US debt (bonds or dollars).
If heavily reported in the US press the story would be debunked quickly and thoroughly. It is ripe for the ignorant.