Police have become aware of a number of counterfeit NZ $50 notes being in circulation and they all have the same serial number. Retailers should beware.

Two of the notes were presented at a large retail outlet in Newmarket on December 5. Two customers each used a counterfeit $50 note to purchase small items in separate transactions.

Although they are good copies a number of key identifiers are missing.

1. No Queens head watermark.

2. The clear oval panel glued into the notes was transparent. On genuine notes this plastic panel is embossed with diagonal lines and the number 50.

3. On genuine notes the fern leaf on the lower left corner is embossed on transparent plastic. On both fraudulent notes the transparent section was missing.

4. Both notes had the same serial number; BA 99849976

Any information about similar incidents or possible suspects to Roy Parker, Fraud Collator, Auckland City Police, ph 302 6400 xtn 95892.

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