The Hamlin County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public and local businesses, particularly those near Lake Poinsett, to be cautious after discovering several counterfeit $100 bills. On Sunday, July 6, 2025, at approximately 1:01 a.m., the Sheriff’s Office was notified of the discovery of fake $100 bills on US Highway 81 near Southwest Lake Drive.
A sheriff’s deputy conducted an investigation with nearby businesses on Lake Poinsett, and it was discovered that some of these counterfeit bills had been successfully passed or attempted to be passed that night.
The Sheriff’s Office has provided specific information to help identify these fraudulent bills:
The word “COPY” appears on both the front and back sides of the bills.
The phrase “In Prop We Trust” appears on the back of the bills.
Businesses in Hamlin County that have accepted these counterfeit bills should contact the Sheriff’s Office at 605-783-3232.
Authorities also advise that genuine currency contains several security features to look for: a security thread that glows under UV light, color-shifting ink on the lower right numbers when tilted, a faint watermark visible when held up to light, and tiny red and blue fibers embedded in the paper.
