A UK police force has issued an urgent warning to businesses, retailers and the public to “be vigilant” – after seeing a surge in counterfeit notes being offered for payment. Since last month alone, Cheshire Police said they have received more than 30 reports of people trying to pay for goods with fake notes across the leafy, north-west England county.
The force warned: “From supermarkets and bakeries to pubs and fast-food restaurants people have been attempting, and in some cases, succeeding in using the notes to make payments.” They added: “It is also affecting private sellers selling high value goods. The notes are all denominations, but mainly £20.”
Counterfeit cash-making machine seized by West Mercia Police (Image: West Mercia Police)
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Last week in a separate case – but highlighting how fake cash is becoming a lucrative business for criminal gangs – the Express reported how West Mercia Police raided a home in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, and found more than £100,000 in forged £20 notes – as well as equipment and tools used to manufacture the fake currency.
In that instance, officers swooped following intelligence work relating to the flagrant sale of fake £20 notes on the online auction and retail site eBay.
A 42-year-old, arrested on suspicion of supplying counterfeit notes, has since been released under investigation as enquiries continue.
Cheshire Police revealed on Friday that they are seeing a high number of reports of counterfeit notes – sparking their urgent warning for vigilance.
Det Sgt Jordan Trentini, of Cheshire Police, said: “Many businesses have the facility to check if a note is counterfeit, but private sellers who put items on online selling platforms such as Facebook Market Place don’t.
“As a result, we’ve had sellers handing over mobile phones only to find the money is fake when they try to use it or pay it into a bank.
“The advice is to look for genuine security features – comparing a suspect note with one that is known to be genuine.
“Never rely on looking for only one feature, and if you do have a counterfeit note make sure you report it to police and retain the notes for us to use as evidence.”
Counterfeit cash recovered by West Mercia Police earlier in January (Image: West Mercia Police)
The force have issued a ‘checklist’ for suspicious customers to look out for:
– Serial number – Genuine notes have unique serial numbers therefore if you have two notes displaying the same serial number at least one of them is a counterfeit.
– Tilt – Tilt the note to see the colour change / foil features
– Look / Feel – Look for microtext and /or tactile features and the clear window(s).
– UV Light – Additional features include those which can be seen under an Ultraviolet (UV) light check that they are the right colour(s) and in the right position on the note.
– Printing – Raised print is used in some of the features on genuine banknotes and should feel slightly rough to the touch.
– Lines and print should be sharp and well defined with no blurred edges. Colours should be clear and distinct – not hazy.
There are more tips and advice on how to spot fake bank notes and what to do with them here.
Neil Harris, Head of the National Counterfeit Currency Unit at the National Crime Agency (NCA), said: “Bank notes sold online and marketed on social media as ‘prop notes’ are counterfeit and to possess, sell or use them as payment is a criminal offence.
“We see foil stickers added to these counterfeit notes to conceal the ‘prop notes’ text, and these foil stickers are also illegal to possess, buy or sell.
“In some cases, the supply of counterfeit notes has been linked to organised crime groups.
“The UK’s National Counterfeit Currency Unit in the NCA works closely with online selling sites and social media platforms to prevent adverts for counterfeit currency being made or, where identified, ensure they are removed.
“We share intelligence with police forces across the UK to identify the offenders behind the sales to enable arrest and prosecution of offenders.”
Further information on how to check Bank of England notes can be found at the following links: –
Key security features £20 note: https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes/polymer-20-pound-note
Key security features £10 note: https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes/polymer-10-pound-not
How to check all Bank of England polymer notes: https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes/counterfeit-banknotes/how-to-check-your-banknotes
