CBPD release. Can you tell that this is counterfeit money? Unfortunately, it is and bills like the one pictured are being used in our area. These bills were intended to be used by Chinese bank tellers to practice counting American currency but have also been used as prop money. At first glance, these bills can appear authentic. They are typically the same size and color as a genuine bill. However, there are a few tell-tale signs you can look for to avoid accepting one of these counterfeit bills. Chinese characters in pink, red or purple ink on front and/or back of the bill; Poor paper quality. Authentic bills have a very distinct feel with raised and color shifting ink; The absence of a watermark and/or a security thread in the bill. The security thread should glow under a black light. DO NOT rely on a counterfeit detector pen; those pens can be fooled by treating the bill with different substances.