A number of counterfeit 100-yuan banknotes, with serial numbers beginning with "TJ38", have been found in Haikou, Hainan province, Hainan Special Zone News reported yesterday.

Though fake 100-yuan notes starting with "HD90", "HB" and "FA" have been circulating since late last year, this is the first time "TJ38" numbered counterfeit notes have been discovered on the mainland.

According to the Haikou police, "more than 30 fake notes" were recovered from eight retailing shops situated on a commercial street in Haikou over the past six days.