They appealed to business owners and employees to be on the lookout for fake $50 notes.

Several reports had been taken from businesses at Wellington that had been the victims of people passing fake $50 notes, Orana Local Area Command said in a post to social media on Friday.

“At a glance the notes may appear genuine but if you look a bit harder you may notice phrases written in a foreign language, unusual colours or patterns, feel of the paper, etc,” it said in the post.

“Make a habit of checking all currency you are handed and if you suspect that counterfeit money is being used or you are in possession of it ring police immediately.”

It’s the second warning police have issued about fake money in the past month.

Under Australia’s Crimes (Currency) Act even being in possession of counterfeit money (notes or coins) if a person knows it is fake is an offence.

Anyone convicted of being in possession of the money, intending to defraud someone with it is liable for a maximum of 10 years imprisonment.

Making counterfeit money comes with a maximum penalty of 14 years in jail.