Businesses across the country are being urged to maintain a watchful eye for fake currency ahead of Lunar New Year.
The importation of ‘joss paper’ and Chinese training notes is on the rise and has prompted fears the material, which is designed to look like Australian currency, could be used to dupe unsuspecting workers.
Also known as ghost or spirit money, joss paper is burned in the worship of a traditional Chinese deity or ancestor, where loved ones set fire to the material to allow the object to materialise in the afterlife.
Bundles of fake $100 and $50 notes have been seized by federal police. Source: Australian Federal Police/Supplied
The paper is also a staple of Lunar New Year celebrations.
While the vast majority of joss paper is imported for non-criminal purposes, the Australian Federal Police is on the lookout for less-honourable conduct.
"What we have seen in data from the Reserve Bank of Australia is that some of these notes actually make it into the retail sector," Detective Superintendent Jayne Crossling told SBS News.
"Over a half a million dollars worth of joss paper or 'hell money' has actually made its way into (business)."
Detective Superintendent Jayne Crossling. Source: AAP
While joss paper bares a similarity to legitimate Australian currency, there are a number of security features that help distinguish the real currency.
"Australian banknotes are polymer, these notes are paper," Detective Superintendent Crossling said.
The paper currency also lacks a clear window in the corner of the note, as found on earlier banknotes. Newer polymer currency will feature a clear top-to-bottom window.
This batch of fake currency bears the word 'copy' and the Vietnamese inscription 'Ngân Hàng Địa Phủ' which translates to 'Hell Bank'. Source: Australian Federal Police/Supplied
3D imagery, reversing numbers and microprint text are also common features of genuine Australian currency.
Anyone looking to pass off joss paper as legitimate currency is being warned they could face serious consequences if caught.
“If we determined there was actually a criminal intention…there are penalties including a $2,000 fine and a maximum of 12 years imprisonment,” Detective Superintendent Crossling told SBS News.
Anyone who suspects they have come in contact with a fraudulent note is urged to handle the note as little as possible and where possible, store it in an envelope before contacting authorities.
“They should contact their local police, they should be able to take that report and eventually it will find its way to the AFP."
