Det Sgt Matt Surman holds a legitimate $50 note, while Det Snr Const Trisha Lake holds up some of the counterfeit $50 notes.
Camera IconDet Sgt Matt Surman holds a legitimate $50 note, while Det Snr Const Trisha Lake holds up some of the counterfeit $50 notes. Credit: Supplied/Supplied, Tim Mayne

Counterfeit notes found

Tim MayneSouthern Gazette

Counterfeit notes have been reported in shopping centres, service stations, bakeries, pharmacies and other stores in Forrestfield, Baldivis, Bentley, Victoria Park and Cannington.

The warning comes after officers from Kensington police charged a 33-year-old man with several offences, including making counterfeit money, which was discovered in a raid on a Gregory Street property in Belmont.

Police raided the property on Monday, June 29, and found hundreds of completed and semi-completed notes, computer equipment, printers, ink, stencils, dyes, a quantity of paper and other material used in the manufacture of counterfeit currency.

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Police also discovered $1370 in genuine Australian currency, methamphetamine and smoking implements.

Police allege at the time of the raid the man was in the process of making fake currency and attempted to destroy a laptop and numerous notes that were nearly completed.

The raid came after a vehicle stop in South Perth on Monday, June 8, during which fake $50 notes were discovered.

Detective Sergeant Matt Surman from Kensington police said it was one of the most sophisticated operations he had seen.

"This is not something we usually deal with and it is certainly better quality than we normally see," Det Sgt Surman said.

"There were notes already in circulation " the fake currency is handed over to buy small items and genuine currency is received in return.�

Det Sgt Surman said police were continuing their inquiries in to the seizure.

"There are further inquiries in relation to the possibility it has been used to commit offences," he said.

�An amount of counterfeit money was located in the possession of a member of the Comancheros Motorcycle Club.

"It was about $5000 that came into their hands without them knowing " they may have been fooled by it.�

Police said that if anyone suspects they are in possession of counterfeit money, not to handle it and contact local police who, will pass it on to the Australian Federal Police.

The man appeared in court on Tuesday, June 30, and will appear again on July 10.

A guide to detecting counterfeit notes is available on the Reserve Bank of Australia's website at www.banknotes.rba.gov.au/counterfeit-detection