Traders warned to be wary of counterfeit cash

The PSNI have issued a fresh warning to traders to be on the lookout for fake sterling and euro notes.

Police say that with Christmas just around the corner, shoppers and retailers should maintain vigilance as there is an increase in counterfeit notes circulating at this time of year. Counterfeit crime is on the rise and police have reported that, so far this year, they have seized over £600,000 of fake notes in the province.

Chief Inspector Mark Mason said: “The counterfeiters want to dupe everyone and their products are now of a quality that cursory check of a note is not sufficient.”

Unlike England and Wales where Bank of England notes are the only locally issued legal tender, the four local banks in Northern Ireland handle up to 50 different notes – which can complicate the detection process.

The amount of counterfeit money seized has increased significantly since 1995, when an £14,000 of forged currency was recovered.

(AMcE)