Man admits fraud after fake £20 notes used in Ulverston shops
A man has admitted fraud after counterfeit £20 notes were used at independent businesses in Ulverston town centre.
Police received reports on Monday, July 6, that a man had been visiting shops and paying with fake Scottish £20 notes.
He would buy low-value items before receiving genuine money as change, leaving local businesses out of pocket.
Officer arrived within three minutes
An officer from Ulverston’s community policing team reached the town centre within three minutes of the report.
The officer spotted the suspect as he allegedly tried to hand a suspicious note to a local butcher.
He was detained and searched at the scene.
Fake notes and shop purchases recovered
Police found counterfeit Scottish banknotes during the search.
Officers also recovered items which had recently been bought from businesses in Ulverston.
The man was arrested and taken into police custody for questioning.
Six offences admitted
During his police interview, the man admitted:
- Four counts of fraud
- Two counts of attempted fraud
Police have not publicly named the man or confirmed the total value of the counterfeit notes involved.
Details of his sentence or next court appearance have also not yet been announced.
Money and goods returned to shops
Within 24 hours, the attending officer returned the recovered goods and cash to the affected businesses.
This meant the independent traders were able to recover the items bought with the fake notes and the genuine change they had handed over.
Police warn criminals to stay away
Furness Police issued a warning to people considering travelling into the area to commit offences.
Officers said their message was simple: “don’t”.
Police also urged local businesses to remain aware of counterfeit-note scams and learn how to identify suspicious currency. Traders were asked to continue reporting incidents so officers can respond quickly.
What should businesses do with a suspicious note?
Retailers should check the look, feel and security features of banknotes before accepting them.
The Bank of England advises businesses not to rely only on detector pens. Staff should instead check several security features or use a suitable authentication machine that is able to recognise current counterfeit designs.
Although the notes used in Ulverston were Scottish, businesses can obtain separate guidance on Scottish banknotes from the banks which issue them.
A counterfeit note has no value and will not normally be reimbursed. Anyone who believes they have received one should contact police rather than trying to spend it elsewhere.
Information about suspected fraud can be reported to Cumbria Police online or by calling 101. Anyone witnessing a crime in progress should call 999.
