Tauranga police are warning retailers to be extra vigilant as counterfeit $50 and $100 notes surface in the Western Bay of Plenty.
Detective sergeant Darryl Brazier says police have received between eight and 10 complaints from retailers in the region reporting counterfeit $50 and $100 notes.

Constable Paula Farrell with a counterfeit $50 above and a real $50 note below. The fake $50 note was found in circulation in Tauranga late last year.

Police are unsure how many fake notes are in circulation in the region.
'It could range from $1000 to $1million. It depends on how much has been produced,” says Darryl.
He says the counterfeit notes are darker than real ones, feel more rigid, have no watermark of the Queen and the transparent strip will look as though it is taped on.
He warns retailers not to accept money if they have any doubt about the legitimacy of a note.
'Retailers should question the person if they believe the notes are not genuine. That person will generally give some kind of story and leave the premises.”
Tauranga police believe the counterfeit notes are made with a photocopier or laser printer using standard paper.
Counterfeit $50 and $100 notes were also found in circulation in Wellington, Auckland and Whangarei, but police are still investigating if the notes originate from the Western Bay.
Two Auckland men were arrested in Te Puke on Sunday, April 25, and charged after being found with counterfeit $100 notes.
Darryl says the men were trying to ‘wash' the fake notes at a Te Puke retail store by purchasing small items with a counterfeit $100 note in return for legitimate money as change.