Conmen using fake £20 notes are targeting shops around Glasgow and Lanarkshire, with businesses sharing warnings online.
Nabeela Akmal runs ShopSmart in Blackwood. She saw them on February 18th and knew them from social media posts. She recalled things being hectic in her shop because her husband was busy that day with customers.
One younger man bought bin liners and said he had only a £20 note. Her husband took the money initially. Nabeela then found the warning photo online. The men looked to be sixteen to early twenties and also had Irish accents.
Nabeela showed her husband the photo. He ran outside, called the man back, and said the money was not real. They could not accept the sale. The second man acted aggressively at first but gave back real money after seeing the photo and took the fake note. The fake note seemed very real and even passed the UV light test.
Shops are being targeted across the area now, and owners are being warned to stay alert. Laura Innes works at a shop in Glasgow, she said the same men targeted her shop. They used the same scam five times nearby.
The notes passed the UV light test, yet she knew something was wrong. She tried to find them, but they fled. Laura said criminals improve fake notes and can now bypass the UV test. Fake notes may have a faint “20” on them instead of the number being printed clearly.
Also, English notes have a small window, but fake notes often lack a “20” inside the window. These tricks still pass a UV light test. The National Crime Agency warns people to be careful because counterfeiting changed in the last ten years.
Skilled printers make high-quality fake paper notes using offset lithographic methods. Organized crime groups also use digital printing. Fake notes are then spread widely, with street-level criminals usually distributing them.
Anyone who finds fake money should report it. Contact your local police to report the notes.