Several salespeople in Hamilton were handed a Bermudian $50 bill and asked to test their ability to distinguish fake currency from the real thing. While there was a variety of unique techniques used, in the end all those asked were able to spot the counterfeit., accompanied by Police, travelled to several stores around Hamilton to see how people would differentiate a real from a fake bill.

The counterfeit notes that Police are seeing today have greatly improved in quality, often making it difficult for people to separate the two.

The $50 Bermudian bill used during the test was property of the Bermuda Police Fraud Unit and is among the best note they have seen.

While it took Elsa Furbert, a salesperson from Astwood Dickinson, a few moments to consider the bill, she eventually was able to determine it was a fake.

After holding up the note to the light she noted the texture was different and the strip and sailboat were faint, rather than shiny.

When asked Ms Furbert knew exactly what she would do if a customer ever passed a counterfeit to her: ?Give it to the management and let him deal with it, notify the Police,? she said. also popped into the Carole Holding Shop on Front Street to test the employees on their knowledge.

Though senior sales associate Vera Simas thought the counterfeit bill was ?pretty well done?, she was able to spot it immediately.

?That?s a fake one. It doesn?t have the strip. The colour isn?t good either,? she said.

Manager Carole Holding recalled the foil strip should travel through the entire note, however, the counterfeit bill shown did not.

?I am absolutely amazed they have the equipment to do it on the Island. It?s a very professional printing job. It?s a little scary,? said Mrs. Holding.