Man fined after depositing film-prop banknote

A man in his 60s has been convicted of using counterfeit money after depositing a banknote he found in an ATM in Kanta-Häme, Yle reports.

The note, found in a shop’s shopping-cart shelter, was not genuine. The Kanta-Häme District Court issued its judgment in early October, and it is now final.

The man denied committing a crime. During the pre-trial investigation, he said he had foolishly decided to see whether the ATM would accept the note, assuming it would eject it if it was not real. He said he had not examined it closely or put on his glasses, although he noticed writing he could not read.

The note was made for use as a film prop. It stated in English that it was not genuine and was intended as a prop.

The court said it was clear from the note that it was not genuine and that the man could have checked it by putting on his glasses or having it examined another way. It found that he probably knew the money was counterfeit and convicted him of using counterfeit money.

He was sentenced to 15 day-fines, totalling 525 euros, and must also pay a 120-euro victim surcharge. Statistics Finland recorded 10 convictions for using counterfeit money in 2024, compared with seven the previous year.