Tasmania Police have issued a fresh warning about counterfeit $100 notes circulating in the state’s south, just months after similar fake currency was found.
Fake $20, $50 and $100 notes have also been found in the Burnie area in recent weeks.
The latest batch of counterfeit currency has text printed along the bottom stating: “This is not legal tender, it’s used for motion props.”
Police say the notes can look convincing at first glance.
One clear giveaway is that the transparent security window on genuine notes is not actually transparent on the fakes.
The latest warning comes six months after police first alerted the public to similar prop money circulating in the state in August 2024.
Those earlier fakes had phrases like “For motion picture use only” and “Prank use only” printed on them.
Businesses are being urged to check all banknotes carefully before accepting payment, especially looking out for any security features that seem unusual.
“When handling cash, businesses should check notes for any inconsistencies such as this before accepting them as payment,” police said.
“If people detect counterfeit notes, they should contact police and provide any relevant information, including CCTV footage if possible.”
According to the Reserve Bank of Australia, the country has one of the lowest counterfeiting rates in the world, with most people never coming across fake currency.
