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Since the start of 2025, the Winnipeg Police Service’s Financial Crime Unit (FCU) has seen a significant increase in the number of counterfeit Canadian banknotes being used at various locations throughout the city.

In the first quarter on 2025, the Service has received more than double the amount of counterfeit reports, resulting in the seizure of $12,000 worth of banknotes. The majority of these fraud incidents involve the use of a specific type of counterfeit Canadian banknote.

This banknote contains the words “prop money” printed in reverse, in small black print, on the top of the holographic strip on the back of the note.

Black printing “prop money”

The same “prop money” printing is also embedding the holographic of the note itself.

Holographic “prop money”

These fraudulent banknotes are of high quality, replicate the look and feel of legitimate Polymer notes, and contain some security features found in legitimate notes which make them more difficult to distinguish from genuine notes. The notes being actively seized at the present time also contain the serial numbers GJR6710018 through GJR6710022.

Methods in which the general public can familiarize themselves in detecting fraudulent banknotes include the following:

• A slight difference in colour

• Pictures on the note starting to wear off

• Notes becoming creased in the middle

• Appearing more similar to a paper note

• Holographic strip raising slightly off the note as opposed to being flush and integrated

These fraudulent banknotes are becoming increasingly prevalent across the country and likely originate from outside of Canada. They have been observed to be distributed in $20, $50, and $100 denominations.

Members of the general public who have concerns that the banknotes in their possession may be counterfeit are strongly urged to attend their respective financial institutions or consult online with the Bank of Canada.