By NOEL MURPHY
Crooks are passing counterfeit $50 notes in shops across central Geelong and as far as Waurn Ponds.
Police have warned traders to be wary of the bogus notes, which they described as reasonable quality.
There’s been a steady increase in passing fake notes over the last month, Geelong Police Senior Constable Adam Niksic told the Independent.
“They’re hitting the shopping centres in Geelong and smaller shops too, basically everywhere in the CBD. We’re warning traders to just be wary of them.
“If notes don’t feel right or look right, don’t accept them and call us.”
Police said some of the notes had been in circulation for a long time and could be difficult to identify until they began to deteriorate through wear and tear.
Other fake notes were introduced more recently, leading to the current spate.
Sen Const Niksic said offenders commonly targetted young sales assistants at busy times when their attention might be distracted.
A shopping centre assistant told the Independent she rejected a $50 bill recently after thinking it resembled a photocopied note.
“They tried to give me a $50 note, which was a funny pale yellow,” the teenage girl said.
“I just said, “Sorry, and gave it back to them. Then they gave me a $20 note.”
The girl notified her employer, who contacted authorities.
Police wanted CBD traders to be wary, to know officers were investigating complaints and to “bring them in” if they received any counterfeit notes.
Geelong Retail Network chairman Mark Edmonds said the fake $50 notes had been passed in stores at Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre, including at his wife’s business.
He cautioned sales assistants to be wary of shoppers creating slight disturbances during busy times and passing off the notes.
“My wife runs a business at Waurn Ponds and one went through her business,” Mr Edmonds said.
“When you compare them with the real ones, the difference is quite obvious. It happened while they were busy, someone created a bit of fuss, they went to pay with a $50 note then pulled back to look for something smaller and said that was all they had.
“People were in line behind and everyone was trying to get the transaction done quickly.
“The notes are smaller and slightly off-colour. The trick is to have a good look at any 50 – they stand out because they don’t look right but if it’s a busy day you don’t notice it.
“That extra two seconds can help get your balance right at the end of the day.”
Geelong Police can be contacted on 5225 3100.
