French police warns shopkeepers about ‘Movie notes’

The fake €20 and €50 banknotes are sold on Chinese websites and are normally made for children or used in movies.

Some shopkeepers have been fooled, notably in small shops in the Vosges and Limousin.

People have also used them in markets, where it is easier to pass them on as sellers do not have time to check them.

The words “movie money” are written on the notes instead of the signature of the president of the European Central Bank, Mario Draghi, and they are easily recognisable as they do not “crack” and are made with ordinary paper.

There is no relief on them, unlike the real ones.

On one side, they say: “This is not legal. It is to be used for motion props.” EYPΩ has been replaced by PRΩP. #The serial number is also wrong, as it does not contain 12 characters.

Holding and using fake banknotes is an offence in France, punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment.