Fake note found in Benoni

Fake notes common in informal settlements according to local resident.

August 27, 2018

Rivelle Govindsamy 2 minutes read

Printing inconsistencies seen on the note.

A Northmead resident has reported an incident of receiving a fake R100 note in the area to the City Times.

The resident, who has lived in Benoni for 50 years and who wishes to remain anonymous, said that this was the first time he had come into contact with a fake note and as such, did not recognise the lack of authenticity on the note when he received it.

The man said he sold a wheelbarrow to a local retailer and when he was paid for the item, the fake note was part of the payout.

After going to a nearby garage to make a purchase, a cashier informed him that they could not accept the note as it was a fake.

The resident then took the note to a bank where it was officially deemed a fake and was rejected by the institution.

“I want to speak about this to make others aware of what is happening.

“I did not know it was a fake and I’m sure many others would be just like me and not be able to identify the flaws immediately,” he said.

The City Times inspected the note and found that there were numerous inconsistencies in the print work of the note.

This ranged from colour and texture to markings that are otherwise inconspicuous to the untrained eye.

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The most noticeable tell-sign was the inconsistency in the watermark that reflected asymmetrically on the note when held up to the light.

Further investigation revealed that the note was signed by past South African Reserve Bank governor Gill Markus which indicates the note is of older origin.

“I was told that fake notes in informal settlements are rife.

“My domestic helper told me that it is common for them to come across such notes in the areas they live in.

‘I hope that by me coming forward with this information it helps people to become more aware and reject fake notes,” explained the resident.