Las Cruces, NM – Police are warning dealers and residents of the Las Cruces area of movie props in real currency.
Last weekend the Las Cruces Police Department received two reports of movie props monies accepted as legal tender. Las Cruces police have identified $ 20 worth of movie props in two separate cases filed over the weekend. It is common for movie props money to be in larger denominations, including $ 50 and $ 100 bills
Movie prop money can look the same as real currency, but in most cases it won’t have the same texture as real cash. Prop money is meant to be used in front of the camera so the texture doesn’t have to feel like real money.
Movie props bills are usually slightly smaller in size than the actual currency.
Las Cruces Police Force strongly encourage merchants and residents to carefully verify all currencies before making any cash transaction.
Movie props money, while looking authentic from a distance, usually has wording that identifies it as bogus currency. For example, movie prop money typically reads:
- “For use in films only” at the top of the bill.
- The word “copy” is usually printed on both sides of the invoice.
- “This notice is not legal tender” or “For film use only” is usually printed on at least one side of the invoice.
- Often the name of the president is left out or changed.
- The serial numbers are often the same for all movie props.
It is not illegal to have money for movie props. However, passing on movie prop money or an illegal currency could be classified as a criminal offense or federal crime depending on its use.
Anyone who receives suspected prop money or illegally manufactured bills as actual currency should immediately call the police at (575) 526-0795.
Information from the Las Cruces Police Department.
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