How to Spot Fake Money in China

In China, as in any country, you should always be on the lookout for counterfeit banknotes.  We’ve even encountered ATMs issuing fake currency, so be vigilant.

One of the most common scams for involves vendors (most instances we’ve heard of involving drivers of unlicensed taxis, or “black cabs,” though this could happen anywhere) accepting a 100-yuan note from a customer, then asking if the customer can instead pay with exact change or they claim it’s fake.

While the customer is rummaging around looking for changes, the vendor will swap the customer’s note for a counterfeit copy. If the customer finds the exact change, the vendor will hand the fake note back to the customer under the pretence that they are “returning” the real one.

Here are a few tips for spotting forged notes.

What to look out for

Firstly, check all large notes (50 yuan or 100 yuan); 100 yuan notes are the most frequently forged, but fake 50 yuan notes are also common.

Old version of 100 note

Spot 1

The old Chinese currency features Mao Zedong’s image as a watermark on the front left side, within the white space. Also, you can see the 100 sign at the right corner.

It works the same for the new version of 100 note.

Spot 2

A metallic security strip runs top-to-bottom through the middle of 100 yuan, 50 yuan, 20 yuan, 10 yuan and five yuan notes.

Spot 3

The denomination on the bottom-left corner of the note (see red oval in the image below) is printed with iridescent ink. On the 100 yuan note, the “100” changes from green to blue, and on the 50 yuan note, it changes from gold to green.

Spot 4

If you see through the light, the logo of Chinese ancient coin will be completed.

New version of 100 yuan note

Spot 1

A metallic security strip runs top-to-bottom on the right. Normally it’s red, but if you take a look with an angle, the security strip will turn green.  And you will see 100 sign at the same time.

Spot 2

In the middle of the note, you can see a 100 sign printed as metallic security number. You will see the color turns green from gold when you see from the different angle.

Spot 3

On the left corner below of the front side and on the right corner below of the back side, there are some parts of 100 printed. If you see through the light, it will be completed.

Spot 4

There are two parts on the note which printed the issued number. One is on the left side, below the watermark, first 4 numbers are in dark red and the rest of the 6 numbers are in black. The other set of the issued number is on the right side of the note and it’s in blue.

For both version of note

Method No.1

If you rub your finger gently against the collar of the portrait of Chairman Mao, the national emblem of China, People’s Bank of China (中国人民银行), 100 on the right corner above, braille and on the back side the picture of Great Hall of the People, you should be able to detect a slight difference in the feeling and texture.

You will probably only notice the difference if you rub lightly, so be careful you don’t damage or rip your money. If the paper is smooth and there is no difference in texture, then the note is a fake.

Method No.2

Use the money detector to check if the 100 sign is shown on your note.

If an ATM issues fake currency

Should this happen, take the money immediately to the bank you withdrew it from and notify the staff. Do not put it in a bag or wallet, as it may look on security cameras like you have attempted to make some kind of exchange.


Useful Chinese words and phrases

假币    jiǎ bì    ? A counterfeit note

假的    jiǎ de    ?Fake

纸币    zhǐ bì    Banknote