DOWAGIAC — Dowagiac police are issuing a warning to watch your wallet. Officers say they’ve had six incidents of someone trying to pass counterfeit bills in and around the city.

Police say that money looks and feels very real because it’s movie prop money. Officers say it’s printed with the phrase “for motion picture use only.”

Chief Steven Grinnewald says it only took a quick Google search to find all kinds of fake movie money in almost any denomination.

Grinnewald says his officers have only seen $100 bills. He says he’s been contacted by a few businesses where suspects tried to use the bills. He says he’s also been working with a private individual who accepted the bills.

Grinnewald says those people were selling items using an online app. If you’re paid with fake money, he says to call the police right away.

“Even though we’re probably not going to be able to get your money back it at least makes us aware. We may be able to uncover some form of evidence to catch the individuals. The problem that we’ve had on a couple of them is that they didn’t find it until much later, so obviously the suspects are gone,” Grinnewald said.

Grinnewald says the sooner he starts an investigation the more likely he is to catch a suspect while they’re still in the area. He says if you’re selling anything, it’s also a good idea to carefully check over any money you’re offered.