circulating throughout the Island.

A series of the notes -- which had been successfully passed as genuine -- have been collected by Police during the past few days, Police spokeswoman Insp.

Roseanda Jones said.

And yesterday Police questioned six cruise ship workers after a Front Street shopkeeper contacted them about a suspected counterfeit US $100 note.

The cruise ship workers, all Italian nationals, were allowed to leave later yesterday afternoon on the cruise ship, which was not indentified.

But Insp. Jones said Police inquiries were continuing and they would be notifying US authorities.

"So far we have confiscated 29 of these notes,'' she said, "and we believe that there are others in circulation.'' Features to look out for on the notes include: F1 at the top left corner of the bill; The issuing bank, Bank of Philadelphia, at the left hand side seal; F8 at the bottom right side of the note; 1981A, the year issued with the series, at the bottom right of the portrait; and The number 44 is the back plate number on the right hand side of the back of the note.

While all of the notes have different serial numbers, Insp. Jones added, the small identification letters and numbers mentioned are the same on each note.

Police are urging anyone who may have received the notes to get a good description of the customer and to contact Det. Sgt. Dave Cart, in the Fraud Squad on 299-4330.