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

Thursday, 19 February 2026 14:57

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

Police are telling people to stay on the lookout for fake cash circulating in Queensland's east after three arrests and a surge in reports of counterfeit notes being found at multiple venues.

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

The dodgy notes are identified with markings such as the word "PROP" on them, missing security features or repeated serial numbers.

Police have since charged three people in relation to the distribution with multiple incidents this month.

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

Detective Acting Sergeant Adam Hargrave is urging businesses to remain wary and check the quality of the currency before accepting it.

"Check bank notes for security features including the serial number, coat of arms watermark, and a clear plastic window," he said.

"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."

The warning from police comes just months after a surge in counterfeit cash in both South Australia and NSW.

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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