Michigan—People Are Getting Scammed With ‘Movie Money’ On Facebook Marketplace

Buying and selling online can feel like a gamble sometimes—you meet up, hand over your stuff, get paid, and go on your way feeling good about the deal. But lately, some Michiganders are realizing too late that their “cash” was actually fake prop money used for movies and photo shoots.

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Prop Money Scams Are Popping Up Across Michigan

The Michigan Attorney General’s Office says reports are popping up on social media from residents who’ve been duped with realistic-looking prop bills during Facebook Marketplace meetups and similar online sales. The bills are marked "For Motion Picture Purposes", but scammers are passing them off as real cash.

Attorney General Dana Nessel is reminding everyone to be extra careful, reissuing her consumer alert on spotting scams.

Nessell warns that even experienced sellers can be tricked by realistic prop money. She says, “I urge Michiganders to slow down, verify cash carefully, and meet in safe locations when conducting online marketplace sales.”

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How the Scam Works

Scammers contact sellers about an item and agree to meet up in person. They hand over the fake money and then disappear—blocking the seller as soon as the deal’s done. By the time you realize what’s happened, they’re long gone.

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Tips to Keep Yourself Safe

The Michigan Attorney General’s Office suggests a few simple things that can help you avoid getting ripped off:

• Meet at your local police station.
• Take a close look at every bill.
• Don’t let anyone rush you. Scammers often pressure sellers to move fast so you don’t look too closely.

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Think You’ve Been Scammed?

If you realize you’ve been paid with fake cash, contact your local police department right away and file a report. You can also reach out to the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team at 877-765-8388 or file a complaint online here.