The Gold Coast Police District and the Gold Coast Major and Organised Crime Squad are warning local businesses and members of the community to be vigilant after a recent increase in the use of counterfeit currency during the holiday period.
The Gold Coast Major and Organised Crime Squad is investigating several reports of people manufacturing and distributing counterfeit $50 and $100 notes on the Gold Coast.
Detective Inspector Knowles has urged business owners and community members to be mindful of people presenting large value notes for relatively low value purchases.
“In many of the transactions involving counterfeit notes we are seeing people buying a soft drink and handing over a fake $50 note to get legitimate money back,” Detective Inspector Knowles said.
“Shop attendants and business owners should check notes for the security features including the coat of arms watermark, the red and green diamond-shaped pattern lining up correctly, 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,” said Detective Inspector Knowles.
More information on detecting counterfeit notes can be viewed on the Reserve Bank of Australia website: http://banknotes.rba.gov.au/assets/pdf/counterfeit-detection-guide.pdf.
Anyone who may have any information concerning the manufacturing and distribution of these notes is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
Anyone with information which could assist with this matter should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.
Crime Stoppers is a registered charity and community volunteer organisation working in partnership with the Queensland Police Service.
For all non-urgent police reporting or general police inquiries contact Policelink on 131 444 or Policelink.qld.gov.au 24hrs a day.
