Can you spot the difference between this dodgy note and a real one?

Authorities have issued a warning about counterfeit money being circulated in eastern Queensland, following a string of incidents and the arrest of three individuals.

Police said the counterfeit $50 notes have been found at restaurants, shops, and service stations throughout Mackay.

These fake banknotes can be identified by specific markers such as the word “PROP,” the absence of security features, or repeated serial numbers.

A fake bill used in Queensland's east.
A fake bill used in Queensland’s east. (Queensland Police)

Law enforcement has charged three people linked to the distribution of these counterfeit notes, with several cases reported this month.

The charges range from possessing counterfeit money, circulating the cash and fraudulent transactions.

Detective Acting Sergeant Adam Hargrave advises businesses to be vigilant and carefully inspect banknotes before accepting them.

“Examine banknotes for security elements, including the serial number, the coat of arms watermark, and the transparent plastic window,” he emphasized.

“If counterfeit notes are detected, businesses should record the time and date an individual attended the store and provide any relevant CCTV footage to assist police investigations.”

This alert from police follows a recent wave of counterfeit currency incidents in both South Australia and New South Wales.

In October last year, NSW police seized $2600 in fake notes that were used at businesses across the state’s Hunter Valley region.
That same month, South Australian police said they had received 124 reports of counterfeit cash with $50 and $100 notes being used to make small purchases to gain large amounts of legitimate currency as change. 

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