A popular bakery in Melbourne, the Montmorency Bakehouse, has fallen victim to counterfeiters for the second time in recent months. Owner Shaun Du alerted his social media followers last weekend about a fraudulent $50 note used by a customer. In a TikTok video that gained significant attention, Du described the note as looking “more paper than plastic,” highlighting its unusual color and texture as indicators of its illegitimacy.
Du noted that most of his customers prefer to pay by debit card, but cash transactions still occur. He suggested that younger staff members, who may be less familiar with handling cash, might have missed recognizing the counterfeit note due to its poor quality. “For big businesses, it’s maybe not a lot of money, but for small businesses like us, it’s a lot,” he stated, emphasizing the financial strain such incidents place on smaller enterprises.
This incident is not isolated. Just a few months prior, a fraudulent $100 note was discovered in the bakery’s till. Du has since taken measures to educate his staff about counterfeit detection and has implemented additional safeguards, including displaying a genuine note for comparison. He urged fellow small business owners to remain vigilant, as this troubling trend appears to be on the rise.
Counterfeit Cash Widespread Across Australia
The issue of counterfeit currency is not unique to Montmorency Bakehouse. A pet shop owner in Melbourne recently reported encountering a fake $50 note, which had “PROPS” printed on it, making it evident that it was not real. Such instances have become alarmingly common across Australia, with small businesses frequently sharing reports of counterfeit money on social media.
Authorities in major cities have increased their warnings to retail workers and business owners regarding the high volume of counterfeit cash currently in circulation. The situation has also escalated in Tasmania, where police cautioned retailers and vendors just before Christmas about customers using large notes for minor purchases. The Tasmania Police stated, “Our message to the public, and to retail staff in particular, is to be aware this practice is frequent.”
In the Northern Territory, the problem has reached significant levels, with police confiscating the equivalent of $19,000 in counterfeit currency since September 2025. Such statistics underline the urgent need for awareness and measures to combat this growing issue.
Recognizing Counterfeit Notes
To help individuals and businesses identify counterfeit notes, the Reserve Bank of Australia provides guidelines on its website. Among the recommendations is to physically inspect the money. For older $50 notes, holding the bill up to light should reveal a visible seven-pointed star and the Australian Coat of Arms. For newer notes, tilting the bill will show a bird whose wings change color, and the number in the building will shift direction.
The Reserve Bank encourages workers to refuse any banknote they suspect is counterfeit and advises anyone who receives fake money to handle it minimally, enclose it in an envelope, and report it to the authorities.
As incidents of counterfeit currency continue to increase, both small business owners and consumers are urged to remain aware of the signs of fraudulent money to protect themselves and their livelihoods.
