Tasmania Police investigating spike in counterfeit bank notes

There has been a spike in fake bank notes tendered at Australian businesses, with police urging consumers to pay attention to one small detail.

Counterfeiters trying to get fake Australian bank notes into circulation have made a major flaw as police launch an investigation into the dodgy cash.

Tasmania Police are investigating a spike in counterfeit notes being tendered to businesses on the state’s northwest coast.

Police said at least seven fake $50 and $100 notes had been tendered to businesses in the region in the past week.

The counterfeit notes all had Chinese writing printed on them, police said.

It’s understood all of the notes were accepted by the businesses before they realised they were dodgy.

Police have urged businesses and staff to be vigilant when accepting money and to check notes are real, especially $50 and $100 currency.

“If anyone has a bank note in their possession and they are concerned about the authenticity, they should contact police immediately,” police said.

Tasmania Police have received at least seven reports of counterfeit $50 and $100 notes tendered with Chinese writing on them.

There were 21,474 counterfeit bank notes with a nominal value of $1.63m detected across the nation in the 2019-20 financial year, according to the Reserve Bank of Australia.

More than 11,300 of those were $100 notes, while 9821 were $50 notes.

Anyone who has information regarding the production or purchasing of counterfeit notes has been urged to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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