Police issue warning over counterfeit $100 notes

FAKE $100 notes are circulating throughout the city, prompting police to issue a warning to the public.

Senior Sergeant Craig Davis, of Perth Police, told the Guardian Express that the fake notes were “popping up across most of the metropolitan area”.

Police said the public, in particular people working in retail or other businesses, should check $100 notes for tell-tale signs. Police recommend people scrunch the note up, as a genuine note will spring back.

Police also urge people to check that the clear window in the note was clearly part of the note and not an addition.

The Australian Coat of Arms should appear if the note is held up to the light, as should a seven-point star formed by the diamond-shaped patterns.

Police said people can check the dark printing on the note, which should be printed with raised ink that can be detected by touch.

Perth police urge members of the public who encounter a suspicious banknote to handle it as little as possible and store it in an envelope until they are able to hand it over to police.

The public should also note the time, date, place and how the note came into their possession, to assist police.