Mission RCMP warn of Facebook Marketplace scammer paying with fake $50 bills

Apr 13, 2026 | 10:30 AM

MISSION – Mounties in Mission are warning the public about a man who used counterfeit $50 bills to pay for items he purchased on Facebook Marketplace, leaving the seller high and dry.

According to a statement from Mission RCMP spokesperson Corporal Harrison Mohr, police say a woman recently attended a coffee shop in Mission to sell a laptop and tablet that she had posted on Facebook Marketplace. The buyer entered the coffee shop and presented the woman an envelope with payment all in $50 bills. She gave him the laptop and tablet, then he left.

Counterfeit vs. real $50 bills. (Image Credit: Mission RCMP.)

It wasn’t until the woman went through the money for a second time that she noticed that the shiny part of one of the bills was not properly attached. Upon examining the the rest of the bills, she noticed the same defect on all of them. It was also later noted that all of the bills bear the same serial number.

Corporal Mohr says it is unknown whether the man first showed genuine bills to the woman, then switched the money envelopes at some point, or whether the counterfeit bills were originally produced, but the defects were not noticed when the woman first looked at the bills.

Fake currency

Mission RCMP warn of Facebook Marketplace scammer paying with fake $50 bills

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Scammer. (Image Credit: Mission RCMP.)

Police are releasing a photo of the man in hopes that someone may identify him, and to also warn Marketplace sellers to be aware of him in the event he tries to use the same tactic with someone else.

Another angle of the scammer in Mission. (Image Credit: Mission RCMP.)

Cpl. Mohr says the Facebook profile name he used is believed to have been fake and is still under investigation, so police are not releasing the profile name at this time.

Anyone selling items through Marketplace or another platform is encouraged to verify the authenticity of payment prior to actually exchanging the item.

If you recognize this suspect, call Mission RCMP at 604-826-7161, file 26-3219.

For tips on how to confirm a bill is genuine, visit the Bank of Canada’s website: https://www.bankofcanada.ca/banknotes/counterfeit-prevention/

Anyone who falls victim to a Marketplace scam of any sort should immediately contact their local police.

by Mike Vanden Bosch

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Mission RCMP warn of Facebook Marketplace scammer paying with fake $50 bills

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