Police are warning of fake £50 bank notes being circulated in Wales.
The notes mimic Northern Irish bank notes which, as sterling, are legal tender in the rest of the UK.
The fakes were seized by detectives at a business in north Wales.
North Wales Police said: "Reports of counterfeit currency being used in the area. This note has been seized from business in Abergele .
"Cashiers and local traders - please be mindful when accepting any large amounts of cash. You can usually suspect a fake note based on the texture and poor imaging and If in any doubt - do not accept it!"
How can you spot a fake?
According to the Bank of Ireland, the front of a real note will show the following:
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Colour – Purple
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Serial Numbers – font gradually increases in size
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Hologram above vertical serial number and in opposite corner
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Seated lady Hibernia
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Six county shields
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Serial numbers – black horizontal and red vertical
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Date – 1st January 2013
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Signature – S Matchett, Chief Financial Officer UK
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Vignette of the distillery
The notes will also have the following security features:
Feel
- Paper Quality – Crisp not waxy
- Raised Print – Bank title, denomination, address and signature
Look
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Watermark – Head of Medusa – right hand side of note beside vertical serial number
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Security Thread – In area of Bank logo when back lit
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See Through – Celtic pattern in watermark area
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Microprinting – ESP on both sides reading Bank of Ireland
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UV/Fluorescence – Phosphorescent barcode blinks in UV light on the front of note. Phosphorescent Bank of Ireland shows in UV light on back of note.
Move/tilt
- Hologram – Dual image. Denomination overprint on Bank of Ireland logo. Vertical and right switch images show denomination. Left switch shows Bank of Ireland logo.
- Security Thread Tilt – Denomination appears in bottom left hand corner
