Gold Coast police investigate 57 counterfeit cash incidents

COUNTERFEIT cash is circulating on the Gold Coast with police investigating 57 incidents as part of an identified crime trend.

POLICE officers are investigating 57 incidents on the Gold Coast where fake $50 and $100 bills were used to buy items. Photo: supplied

POLICE officers are investigating 57 incidents on the Gold Coast where fake $50 and $100 bills were used to buy items.

The offences happened in a range of retail and online websites in areas including Southport, Biggera Waters, Robina, Surfers Paradise and Parkwood.

Police say the counterfeit money is circulating around the area as an identified crime trend.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Dane Sheraton said counterfeit notes looked real in photos but could be detected through feeling the notes and identical serial numbers.

The bills have been found in areas like Southport, Surfers Paradise and Parkwood. Photo: supplied

“Advice on how to identify counterfeit notes is available through the Reserve Bank of Australia website, but you should check notes for the security features including the coat of arms watermark, the clear plastic window is part of the note and not stuck on, and the Southern Cross stars look genuine and do not scratch off with moderate rubbing,” he said.

Police are urging business owners and employees to be mindful of people using large value notes for low value purchases.