Fake $50 notes marked with the word “PROPS” are being circulated across north-west Tasmania, prompting police to urge locals to take a closer look at cash payments.
Tasmania Police issued the warning after reports that the bogus notes were slipping through during quick inspections, despite clearly showing “PROPS” in one corner.
They have been made to look very similar to real Australian $50 bills, meaning they can be tricky to spot without a proper check.
Police are reminding anyone handling cash to take a moment to inspect notes carefully for anything unusual before accepting them.
This latest alert follows a string of counterfeit currency cases across the state in recent months.
Just last month, police again warned about fake $100 notes turning up in southern Tasmania, while $20, $50 and $100 notes were also discovered in the Burnie area.
Those fakes carried text reading: “This is not legal tender, it’s used for motion props”. They also lacked the transparent security windows found on real notes.
“If people detect counterfeit notes, they should contact police on 131 444 and provide any relevant information, including CCTV footage if possible,” a spokesperson said.
