A Gymea man faces multiple charges after paying for goods in Gymea, Grays Point and other locations with counterfeit bank notes.
One incident allegedly occurred less than three weeks after he was charged with a string of such offences and given bail.
Police inquiries began when the man allegedly used a counterfeit $100 note to purchase $13 worth of alcohol at a Gymea business on April 22
"The fake note was reported to officers from Sutherland Shire Police Area Command who commenced an investigation into fraudulent notes used at a variety of businesses," a police statement said.
"Inquiries linked the notes with similar alleged crimes in the Lake Illawarra region from February to April.
"On May 1, police executed a search warrant at a home on the Kingsway, Gymea, where they located and seized a number of items, including counterfeit notes and prohibited drugs.
"A 42-year-old man was arrested and taken to Sutherland Police Station, where he was charged with 26 charges. He remains before the courts for those charges.
"On May 19, police were alerted to the alleged use of a counterfeit note at a corner store in Grays Point.
"Following further inquiries, police arrested the 42-year-old man at his Gymea home about 9am yesterday (Saturday).
The man was taken to Sutherland Police Station where he was charged with uttering counterfeit currency, and dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception.
He was refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court on Sunday.