UPDATE: A gang of criminals are continuing to pass fake $50 and $100 notes in the northern suburbs, buying small items and pocketing the legitimate change, according to police.
Detective Senior Constable Matt McKenzie said a further five bogus notes were passed last week despite publicity about an earlier 40 incidents.
He said CCTV footage revealed male and female offenders using the notes at fast food restaurants, convenience stores, milk bars and supermarkets in Mill Park, Epping, Heidelberg, Lalor, Bundoora and Thomastown since February this year.
“They are scattered around various retail outlets in these areas and the criminals are buying small items to get maximum change of $95 to $98 in legitimate currency from a fake $100 bill,” the Whittlesea Criminal Investigation Unit detective said.
He said police were reviewing CCTV footage and had identified “some people of interest” who would be questioned.
He said there appeared to be a number of offenders and there was no pattern to their sex, age or race.
“There will be a main player who is sourcing the notes but there are a number of people distributing them,” he said.
“It is hard to say if they are part of a group or they are associates known to each. They may be people who are buying the fake notes for less than the face value and pocketing real change when they use them.”
Detective Senior Constable McKenzie warned shopkeepers to check the clear window on $50 and $100 notes, which appeared to be cut out with two clear plastic pieces stuck together on the fakes.
He said shopkeepers could try a “scrunch test” and if it is a fake note made out of paper, it would remain scrunched, unlike a real bill which flattens out.
He said if the note could be torn, it was likely to be counterfeit, while some of the fakes were smaller than the real notes and were not cut straight.
Suspicious notes should be handed to police and shopkeepers should give a description of the person who passed the bill and details of their vehicles, he said.
*Contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au.
