Police seize $6000 in fake cash from Facebook Marketplace scam

1News

21-07-2025

Police have seized $6000 worth of counterfeit cash and arrested a 26-year-old man following an investigation into fraudulent Facebook Marketplace transactions in Auckland.
Sergeant Pam Dravitski said police received reports of offending where a man would allegedly arrange to purchase items off the platform with an offer to pay in cash.
"There, the offender would allegedly use counterfeit cash to make the sale and take off with the goods."
Similar reports were collated and further inquiries led police to an Ōtara address last week.
Dravitski said around $6000 in counterfeit cash and equipment used to manufacture the notes were located when a search warrant was executed.
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Inquiries were ongoing and further arrests or charges could not be ruled out, she added.
A 26-year-old man was arrested and charged with six counts of obtaining by deception.
"Many of our local business associations regularly tell us about their members' frustrations with people making purchases using counterfeit money," Dravitski said.
"We continue to try and get the message out when we experience a round of reports concerning people using fake notes."
Genuine banknotes had several security features, including a holographic window, crisp printing on polymer, and raised ink in some areas.