Casper Police warn of Facebook Marketplace payments with movie prop money
CASPER (WNE) — The Casper Police Department is investigating a trend of scammers buying goods through online marketplaces with counterfeit cash.
The premise of the scam is simple: Scammers communicate with sellers of valuable items via online marketplaces, arrange a meetup to buy the merchandise in person, pay with counterfeit money and resell the item online after swindling the original seller, according to a news release issued by the department Tuesday afternoon.
Most frequently, authorities say they've found these scammers on Facebook Marketplace.
The most frequently counterfeited notes are $20 bills, but CPD has found fake bills ranging from $5-$100, Casper Police spokeswoman Rebekah Ladd wrote in an email.
In this particular scam, Ladd said investigators have found bills that state "movie prop" and "not legal tender" on the bill.
She noted the most targeted goods are electronics and game consoles ranging from $200-$500 in value.
"Residents are advised to exercise caution when meeting with unknown individuals for online sales and to verify all cash payments carefully or use alternate methods of payment," according to a police news release.
A few quick ways to identify a counterfeit note include portrait placement, the watermark and ink that changes to copper in color when viewed at an angle.
One-hundred dollar notes made in or after 2004 also have a blue security strip woven through the bill.
Visually inspecting bills for irregularities often does the trick, but those wishing to be more secure in verifying the veracity of their currency can use counterfeit pens or UV lights — both of which can be purchased online — on U.S. bills.
Those who have been scammed or with information on the scam can call Casper Police at 307-235-8278 or, to report anonymously, contact Crime Stoppers of Central Wyoming at 307-577-8477 or on the group's website, crime-stoppers.com.
This story was published on June 5, 2025.