Edmonton police are warning people about a rash of counterfeit money in the city.

Police in west Edmonton received a complaint about fake bills on Saturday, Oct. 15.

During the investigation, police found several $100 and $20 bills.The $20 bills have the serial number FIN7189486.

These are some of the counterfeit bills seized by the Edmonton Police Service in a recent bust. (Travis McEwan/CBC)

"They were typically being passed one at a time," said Const. Zachary Jansen. "The more I looked into it, the same suspect was in every CCTV photo."

Last Saturday, police searched an address near Winterburn Road and West View Boulevard where they found numerous identity documents, a debit and credit card reader, an ID maker and counterfeit money.

Two people were arrested on site.

During a second search done near 154th Street and 84th Avenue, police seized scanners, printers, counterfeit bills and other supplies related to counterfeiting. A third person was arrested.

Two men aged 28 and 31 and a 32-year-old woman face counterfeiting, weapon and fraud charges.

Police say they've accounted for $5,000 worth of bills and the investigation is not yet over.

"We believe there are still numerous counterfeit bills in circulation in the Edmonton area," said acting Staff Sgt. Scott Abbott. "If anyone comes across some suspicious money, they are asked to contact police."

There are deficiencies that expose the bills as fake. Some of them are cut a little smaller than a regular bill. They also feel different when touched.

"The window that is the glossy part of the bill had been cut out so it no longer has the security hologram that is typically present on the bill," said Jansen.

The alleged fraudsters in this instance were targeting grocery stores, gas stations and big retail chains. Busy lines were a popular target as the chances of the cashier thoroughly checking every bill are low.

Edmonton police are seeing counterfeit bills more often, and even more during the current holiday season.

On Thursday St. Albert RCMP issued a warning about counterfeit bills being circulated saying they have received six reports this month of counterfeit bills, five of which were $100 bills and one a $20 bill.

With files from Travis McEwan