Fake Australian notes used to train Chinese bank tellers have made their way to Portland.
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The $50 and $100 notes have been spotted around the town but are not believed to be linked to any crime.
Portland police Sergeant Gavin Slade said the training notes were in Australian currency and had pink Chinese characters on them.
He said about $2000 worth of the fake $50 notes had been seized from a vehicle in Portland sometime over the last month. The notes were destroyed.
Sergeant Slade said some of the notes, which were believed to be purchased online, were still circulating.
“The notes are used to train Chinese bank tellers and most people who have found them have quickly realised that they aren’t real,” he said.
“There hasn’t been any reports of deception or connection with a crime.”
Sergeant Slade reminded the community to be vigilant with money.
“If you see any notes that have pink Chinese writing on them, they are training notes and they have no monetary value in Australia,” he said.
“If you accept them as currency you should contact police immediately and if you notice that it doesn’t look right, make sure you refuse to accept it.”
Anyone with information should call Portland police on 5522 1500 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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