Beware of high-quality counterfeit bills, North Vancouver RCMP says
Posted March 2, 2026 4:22 pm.
The North Vancouver RCMP is out with a warning after an increasing number of counterfeit bills have been found in circulation over the last two months.
Police say they have received 11 separate reports of high-quality counterfeit $50 and $100 Canadian bank notes being used at multiple businesses in the community.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE!Cpl. Mansoor Sahak tells 1130 NewsRadio it may be hard to spot the bills as fake.
“They are very realistic, although there are some key features in there that are very noticeable to the right person,” he said.
“If you know what you are looking for, you’ll be able to easily distinguish that this is a fake bill.”
The seized bills are made from a plastic similar to that used in the genuine notes. They also have holographic stickers that mimic those found on real bills.
Police say the bills all have the same serial number.
One way to spot a fake is by looking at the reflective strip on the right side of the bill, he says.
“What we are seeing is that they can just peel them right off,” he said.
“Obviously, in the real bill, you can’t rip them off.”
Sahak says the Bank of Canada website explains how to detect fake bills.
It is important to be vigilant because if you accept counterfeit bills, you are basically out of luck.
“Once you accept that cash, it’s yours,” he said.
“You won’t be reimbursed by anybody.”
He says it is a criminal offence in Canada to knowingly use or possess counterfeit bills.
Sahak points out that North Vancouver isn’t the only city facing this issue. He says both Nanaimo and New Westminster have reported an increase in counterfeit bills.
Anyone who thinks they may have received fake bills should call the police, he says.
