About 40 counterfeit notes have been handed to Shepparton police since September after being used at local businesses.
“It’s been a huge issue recently,” Shepparton police Sergeant Bridie Sutton said.
“We keep hearing more about them.”
According to police, the fake notes look very realistic.
They still have the see-through panels and barcodes on them.
Sgt Sutton said they almost look like the images are AI-generated.
“They look more detailed than regular notes,” she said.
Some of the notes also feel thicker than a real note.
Many of the fake notes police have seized have the same serial number on them.
The serial number on many of the counterfeit $100 notes is CD08284521, while on many of the fake $50 notes it is DC08446060.
Sgt Sutton said anyone who did receive a fake note should take it to local police to help build a case.
From there they are passed on to the Australian Federal Police to forensically examine them, as making counterfeit money is a Commonwealth offence.
Anyone who has information about the people making the counterfeit money is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au or Shepparton police on 5820 5777.
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