LOUISIANA POLICE WARN COLORFEST VENDORS AFTER FAKE $100 BILL FOUND

LOUISIANA, Mo. — The Louisiana Police Department is warning vendors and area businesses to watch for fake $100 bills after a vendor at the Louisiana Country Colorfest discovered a counterfeit-looking note while closing a booth.

Police said the bill, pictured with the department's community alert, was marked “FOR MOTION PICTURE PURPOSES.” The wording identifies it as prop currency, not genuine United States money.

The discovery has prompted officers to ask other Colorfest vendors to review the cash they accepted during the event for similar bills. Police also urged businesses throughout the community to carefully examine cash payments.

Anyone finding a suspected fake bill should set it aside and avoid attempting to spend it, according to the department. Officers are asking people to contact the Louisiana Police Department and preserve information that might help identify the transaction, including receipts, available surveillance footage or a description of the person who passed the note.

The department's alert does not identify a suspect or say whether additional fake bills have been found. Police have not announced an arrest in connection with the reported discovery.

The photograph provided with the alert shows the front of a $100-style bill bearing prominent motion-picture wording across its upper portion and beside the portrait. Local residents and merchants are encouraged to inspect large-denomination notes rather than relying on a quick glance.