Film prop banknotes available on eBay being used fraudulently to pay for taxis

Taxi drivers are being handed fraudulent ‘film prop’ banknotes, which are available to buy online.

The copies, which are very similar to the legal notes, are available to buy on sites like eBay for less than 80p per £20 note.

The fake banknotes are the same size and design, but don’t include watermarks or a functional silver band.

One seller on eBay described the notes as 'printed money which looks similar to a real note, but with many differences'.

This week, one cabbie in London mistook one of the props for legal tender. The £10 note handed to him looked authentic, until on closer inspection he saw displayed small print stating 'use only for jokes and good mood', a bold red feather and in larger print the wording 'Ten Poond’.

The London cabbie posted photos of the banknote on social media saying: “Can't believe I fell for this one! If only I'd noticed the red feather, the rather obvious spelling mistake on the back of the note or the disclaimers on both sides.

“Oh well, it was only a £9 fare and the chap was gracious enough to let me keep the change!”

TaxiPoint approached the Bank of England for more information on the legality of ‘prop money‘ and are awaiting comment.