The state is warning of a scam involving Facebook Marketplace and similar platforms — and if this one sounds like something out of the movies, it’s because it is.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has reissued a consumer alert after numerous social media reports surfaced of Michigan residents being paid with realistic “prop money” marked as “For Motion Picture Purposes” for items sold on Facebook Marketplace and similar platforms.

While the Department of Attorney General has not yet received direct consumer complaints, it is aware of multiple reports involving sellers across Michigan, the AG’s office states in a news release. In these cases, the buyer typically meets the seller in person, presents the fake cash that appears genuine, and then blocks the seller immediately after the exchange.

“Even experienced sellers can be fooled by realistic prop money,” Nessel said in the release. “I urge Michiganders to slow down, verify cash carefully, and meet in safe locations when conducting online marketplace sales.”

When conducting online marketplace transactions, sellers should protect themselves by:

— Meeting buyers at the police station;

— Inspecting each bill closely; and

— Avoiding rushed transactions or buyers who pressure the seller to hurry.

Scammers are creative, coming up with new and more effective ways to trick Michiganders, the AG’s office advised. Most scams have common characteristics, including being:

— Contacted out of the blue with an urgent request;

— Pressured to act or respond immediately;

— Urged to keep the call or transaction secret;

— Asked for payment or to pay in an unusual form, including wire transfers (Western Union or MoneyGram), prop money, prepaid debit cards, gift cards, or store cards, and pay apps (Venmo, Zell, Google Pay, Apple Pay, PayPal, etc.; and

— Promised something too good to be true.

Residents who expect they’ve been scammed should contact their local police department and file a complaint. Consumers can contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team as well at:

Consumer Protection Team

P.O. Box 30213

Lansing, MI 48909

517-335-7599

Fax: 517-241-3771

Toll-free: 877-765-8388

Online at https://www.michigan.gov/consumerprotection

An online complaint form can also be found at https://secure.ag.state.mi.us/complaints/consumer.aspx.