tried to pass off toy $100 bills during the weekend.

Spokeswoman Evelyn James Barnett said a man entered the Esso City Service Centre on Richmond Road, Pembroke, around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday and requested two packets of cigarettes.

He handed over a US$100 bill as payment, but the cashier discovered the note was a fake and of poor quality. When told the note was not real, the man became abusive and snatched the note back and left the store.

Mrs. James Barnett said the man was described as being "scruffy'', about 5ft 6in to 5ft 8in, approximately 35 years old, dark-skinned, and of a slim build.

He was wearing a black helmet and a dark coloured vinyl-type jacket. Two more of the toy bills were passed in two other businesses yesterday, Police added.

BEWARED -- This is the front of the toy US$100 bill. Police are now warning shopkeepers to be on the lookout after tricksters tried passing off several of the phoney notes.

FAKE -- The underside of the phoney $100 bill