This Malaysian Café Was Cheated With Fake Money. Here's How To Spot The Difference
Didn't know the flowers move! :O
Cover image via @swichcafekl (Instagram)Swich Café recently discovered that a customer had paid for their purchase using a counterfeit RM100 note
At first glance, the note looked legitimate — but on closer inspection, several red flags became clear.
To help others avoid the same mistake, the café shared a helpful guide on how to distinguish a fake RM100 note from a real one.
Image via @swichcafekl (Instagram)
Here are the key things to look out for:
1. Unusual or brighter colours
Fake RM100 notes are often printed using basic inkjet printers, resulting in colours that are overly bright or slightly off from the genuine version.
If you're in a hurry, it's easy to miss — but when compared side by side with a real note, the difference is noticeable.
Image via @swichcafekl (Instagram)
Image via @swichcafekl (Instagram)
2. Low-quality paper
Authentic banknotes are printed on high-quality paper that feels firm and crisp. Counterfeit notes often feel thin and soft, similar to regular A4 paper, and may show white streaks when folded.
Image via @swichcafekl (Instagram)
3. No raised print (Intaglio)
Genuine RM100 notes have raised print, especially on the portrait of the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong and some of the text. You can feel it with your fingers. Counterfeit notes, on the other hand, tend to be completely smooth.
4. Misaligned "00" under light
When held against white light, a real RM100 note shows two "0"s that align perfectly to form "00".
On fake notes, these numbers are often misaligned or uneven, making them easy to spot with careful inspection.
Image via @swichcafekl (Instagram)
5. No movement in the security thread
There's a purple thread embedded in real RM100 notes that contains a hibiscus (bunga raya) motif. Tilt the note, and the flower should appear to move. On counterfeit notes, this security feature is either missing or static.
Click to watch how the flowers move on this real note when tilted:
6. Perfect see-through register
According to Bank Negara Malaysia, when you hold a bank note against the light, a real RM100 note reveals a perfect see-through register, where patterns printed on the front and back align precisely to form a complete image.
Misalignment in this feature is a sign of a counterfeit note.
Image via @swichcafekl (Instagram)
Swich has since reported the counterfeit note to the police
This isn't just a one-off issue — counterfeit currency can have serious consequences for businesses and the economy. It's important to stay alert and take a moment to inspect any large-denomination cash you receive.
For more detailed information on verifying banknote authenticity, visit Bank Negara Malaysia's official guide.
