Fake notes passed at diplomats' Guangzhou charity bazaar

Mainland internet users have accused people who used counterfeit money to pay for items at a charity bazaar in Guangzhou on Saturday of embarrassing all Chinese.

The bazaar was held by more than 30 foreign consulates to help raise money for disabled children in Guangdong, but the money received included 49 fake 100-yuan notes.

The fakes were discovered by bank clerks when the consulates tried to deposit some 330,000 yuan (HK$406,000) raised at the charity bazaar, according to a report in the Yangcheng Evening News yesterday.

The fake banknotes had the same serial number and it is believed those responsible took advantage of foreign staff who were not familiar with the Chinese currency.

Almost all the booths at the charity bazaar received fake banknotes.

The South Korean consulate's stall received eight of the fake notes, the newspaper said. The consulate did not response to inquiries yesterday.